Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. This interferes with normal mucus drainage, leading to breathing difficulties, pain and pressure. When the condition persists for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is the number one reported chronic condition in the United States, affecting an estimated 37 million Americans. It’s most often caused by an infection brought on by a cold or allergies, but may also be the result of nasal polyps, a deviated septum, trauma to the face, hay fever, complications from immune system disorders or tumors.
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
Individuals suffering from sinusitis experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, postnasal drip, sore throat, facial pressure and swelling, loss of smell and taste, headache, fever, fatigue and bad breath.
Complications can include asthma attacks, meningitis, vision problems, aneurysms and stroke.
How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
In addition to a physical examination and a review of your medical history, your doctor will inspect your nasal passages for polyps and other abnormalities and check for inflammation and a buildup of fluid. Additional tests utilizing nasal endoscopy, CT scans, MRIs and allergy tests can be used to help confirm the diagnosis.
How Is Sinusitis Treated?
Treatments will vary depending upon the severity of your sinusitis and whether it’s an acute or chronic condition. Saline nasal sprays and corticosteroids are useful for rinsing your nasal passages and relieving inflammation. Decongestants are a good short-term solution, but extended use can actually worsen the condition. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for bacterial infections.
Antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, saline washes and oral steroids all provide long-term relief. More permanent solutions such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) or surgery can bring relief to those suffering from chronic sinusitis.
Introducing Propel
Sound Health Services is one the first ENT practices in the United States to use the new PROPEL® Contour Sinus Stent for chronic sinusitis treatment.
Physicians often recommend sinus surgery as a treatment for chronic sinusitis sufferers to alleviate their symptoms. Patients with chronic sinusitis have an inflammation of their sinuses that causes symptoms such as nasal congestion, loss of smell, facial discomfort, and constant post-nasal drip.
PROPEL represents a medical breakthrough clinically proven to improve surgical outcomes for chronic sinusitis sufferers.1
The PROPEL sinus stent is the first and only device clinically shown to keep the sinuses open after surgery, precisely deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the healing tissues, and then dissolve.
The innovative sinus stent decreases post-operative scarring and inflammation, reducing the need for additional surgical procedures as well as oral steroids and their potential side effects. At the same time, PROPEL’s spring-like, lightweight design means patients usually cannot even tell that it is there.
WATCH HOW IT WORKS
PROPEL CONTOUR SINUS STENT
PROPEL Contour is a new addition to the PROPEL family. This device was recently approved by the FDA to keep the sinuses open after sinus surgery. The new stent has an hourglass shape that conforms to the openings of the sinuses delivering medication in the area where it is needed for the best surgerical outcomes.
PROPEL Contour is clinically proven to reduce the need for additional interventions (a combination of surgical treatments and/or oral steroids) after sinus surgery by 65 percent.2
HEAR WHAT PATIENTS THINK ABOUT PROPEL
Although many patients benefit from PROPEL, results may vary. Each patient experience is unique and Intersect ENT, Inc. does not provide any warranty or guarantee as to the response a patient will have to PROPEL.
The PROPEL sinus implants are intended for use following sinus surgery to maintain the sinus openings and to locally deliver a drug to the sinuses: PROPEL for use in the ethmoid sinus, PROPEL Mini for use in the ethmoid sinus and frontal sinus opening and PROPEL Contour for use in the frontal and maxillary sinus openings. The products are intended for use in patients ≥18 years of age. These products are not intended for people who are, allergic to the drug (mometasone furoate) or to certain polymers. Safety and effectiveness of the implant in pregnant or nursing females have not been studied. Risks may include, but are not limited to, pain/pressure, movement of the implant (within or out of the sinus), possible side effects of the drug, infection, and nose bleed. For more information on the risks and benefits of PROPEL sinus implants, please talk to your doctor. The FDA approved labeling can be found at www.IntersectENT.com. Rx only.
INTERSECT ENT and PROPEL are registered trademarks of Intersect ENT, Inc. in the United States and other countries. MySinusitis.com is a trademark of Intersect ENT, Inc.
Call Sound Health Services for more information or to schedule an appointment.
1. Han JK, Marple BF, Smith TL et al. IFAR.2012; 2:271-279.
2. Data on File at Intersect ENT. N=80 in ITT population, with N=61 evaluable patients where both sinuses available for composite endpoint. Results judged by independent reviewer.