Cutting-Edge Care

We realize how frustrating your sinus, allergy, snoring and sleep apnea symptoms are. Equally, we understand how important it is to find a long-term solution with ease and convenience in mind. St. Louis Sinus Center continues to seek out and implement procedures and techniques to meet your needs. Our cutting-edge medical care includes:

Cutting Edge Medical Treatments FAQs:

Is Balloon Sinus Dilation the Best Treatment for Chronic Sinusitis?

Your sinuses work to maintain the moisture inside of your nose. The mucus that's produced by the sinuses helps protect the nasal passages from dirt, dust, and pollutants. Usually, excess mucus drains down the back of the throat. Conditions like irritation, infection, allergies, or swelling can prevent proper drainage, trapping some mucus in the sinus cavity. This can result in infection and irritation, which we refer to as sinusitis. If you experience the symptoms of sinusitis, such as cough, sinus pressure, sinus headaches, and sore throat for six or more months out of the year, you may be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. While you might find relief from your symptoms from medication, ongoing relief may come from balloon sinus dilation.

Balloon sinus dilation is considered a high-level treatment for chronic sinusitis because it works by eliminating the blockage, not by minimizing symptoms. The brief in-office procedure restructures the sinus opening in a way that allows the excess fluid to drain more efficiently. Does this make it the best treatment for chronic sinusitis? Maybe not for everyone, but it is very suitable for many patients.

Is Balloon Sinus Dilation Right for Me?

If you've not found adequate relief from your chronic sinusitis symptoms using medication, you might be a great candidate for balloon sinus dilation. Dr. Gould is an internationally recognized expert, developer, and researcher of In-Office Balloon Sinus Dilation techniques. He's performed thousands of consultations and dilation treatments in the past decade, and demonstrates this procedure for doctors from all around the country. If you can be helped by balloon sinus dilation, Dr. Gould will be able to confirm that.

How Do I Know if I Have a Deviated Septum?

There are some common symptoms that occur with a deviated septum. These include:

  • Difficulty breathing through the nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Blockage of one nostril
  • Headaches
  • Frequent sinus infections
  • Snoring

If you frequently experience some or all of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with an ENT. In addition to a thorough examination, Dr. Gould may also perform a nasal endoscopy and order a CT scan to better observe the nasal passageways.

Is Surgery the Only Solution for a Deviated Septum?

If you have mild to moderate septal deviation, you may be able to manage your symptoms without surgery. Dr. Gould can help discern the most effective approach for you. This may include allergy treatment if allergies are exacerbating your deviation symptoms. It may include medication such as antihistamines or nasal decongestants. Surgery for a deviated septum, called septoplasty, may be advised if your deviation is quite significant or your symptoms don't improve enough using other therapies.

Are Allergy Drops as Good as Allergy Shots?

Allergy drops are a relatively new approach to immunotherapy for various allergies. They're designed to work similarly to allergy shots, only with a different method of delivery. With allergy drops, you simply administer the prescribed dosage under the tongue. No injection, no pain, just clinically proven therapy. According to several studies, and from what we've seen in our patients, allergy drops are remarkably effective. There are several reasons we appreciate this treatment approach. In addition to being convenient, pain-free, and cost-effective, allergy drops may work more quickly than allergy shots. In some studies, drops have been found to produce results as soon as 30 to 90 days from the onset of treatment. Allergy shots can take six to 12 months to build up to noticeable improvements.

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