Grand Rapids Reporter

People who suffer from recurring sinusitis are at a greater risk for losing their sense of taste and smell, according to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Surgery can lower a patient's risk of losing these senses and reduce the symptoms of sinusitis, which include sniffling, sneezing and congestion. Balloon sinuplasty is a newer type of surgery that is minimally invasive and offers quick patient recovery periods, according to WebMD.

"I have a profound depth of experience with balloon sinus procedures," Dr. Richard Strabbing, otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon at Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, told the Grand Rapids Reporter. "I did my first balloon case in 2007. I have taught many other doctors how to do this procedure. In 2010, I was involved in a nationwide study that looked at moving the procedure from the operating room to the office.” 

Balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a thin tube into the patient's nasal passage and inflating it to open up the passageways and help them drain more effectively.

Sinusitis is a lot like a cold, except that it is typically accompanied by extreme pressure, swelling or tenderness around the sinuses and other serious symptoms.

A patient's loss of taste and smell is usually gradual, happening as a result of repeated sinus or upper respiratory infections, leading to inflammation and irritation in the sinus cavity.

Chronic sinusitis can make it hard to enjoy everyday life. If you think a specialist could help, take this quiz.