Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure designed to treat sinusitis in people of all ages. This FDA-approved procedure has been implemented safely since 2005 to offer relief to individuals suffering from blocked sinuses, giving them a new lease on life and the chance to breathe easily once again.
This minimally invasive operation is a good option for anyone who has not responded well to medications. It is also a promising option for those who have tried other treatments or procedures, but who still continue to deal with blocked sinuses.
Amazingly, this treatment has also proven to be safe and beneficial for children.
If your child needs relief, you may want to consider balloon sinuplasty as a treatment option. Our certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his trusted team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group are happy to help let parents learn more about balloon sinuplasty for your kids.
Many children do not react well to antibiotics prescribed for their allergy or sinus issues. This is where balloon sinuplasty can help. Today’s medical professionals look at balloon sinuplasty as a practical method for children over more invasive procedures. Benefits include:
Balloon sinuplasty can be done in our office, using a local anesthetic, and has numerous advantages over traditional sinus surgery including:
Naturally, you and your child may feel a bit anxious prior to undergoing the procedure. Thankfully, we have a few tips to help ease the situation for both you and your child.
In the vast majority of cases, patients can go home right after the procedure. To help ease any discomfort they may feel after the procedure, consider taking the following steps:
With the Glatz Group, you can rest at ease knowing your child is in good hands and on their way to sinus relief.
If you are concerned about the safety of you and your child from COVID-19, we want to assure you that precautions are taken every day at our office. We are currently using telemedicine to address the needs of our patients without meeting face-to-face.
Online consultations or phone calls are also accepted.
As local municipalities begin the initial processes of reintroducing society back to itself, allergy or sinus sufferers have had to endure harsh symptoms alone during this uncertain time; however, with the threat of a second wave ever the possibility, staying at home is still an option many are taking, and because of this, they continue to deal with headaches, pain and pressure, and the inability to breathe or sleep properly.
If your sinuses or allergies are acting up and medications and at-home treatments aren’t doing the trick, you may want to consider the minimally invasive procedure known as balloon sinuplasty to help relieve symptoms.
And while we’ve discussed balloon sinuplasty before, certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his sinus relief specialist team at the Glatz Group want to shed a little more light on what to expect after a balloon sinuplasty, just in case some of you were concerned about the recovery process.
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure designed to clear out blocked sinuses. Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005, balloon sinuplasty has become one of the most commonly performed types of sinus surgeries, often referred to as the “smart sinus” procedure.
This alternative treatment is recommended most for those who suffer from chronic sinusitis after other treatments for their condition have failed to relieve their symptoms. Balloon sinuplasty is pretty straightforward with minimal reported complications, and what makes this a truly effective and unique kind of procedure, there’s no cutting and no removal of bones or tissue.
It can be done in our office, and anesthesia is optional. Note that since balloon sinuplasty is still a form of sinus surgery, it comes with the same types of risks that other kinds of sinus surgery may have, but without the debilitating and/or drawn-out recovery process.
Because balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, you should be able to drive yourself home about 15 minutes afterward if you weren't given any anesthesia or sedatives, and you should also be able to resume your daily activities within a day or so. However, just like with any other surgical procedure, recovery time varies for every patient, but there are a few things you can do to help smoothen out the process:
A week after surgery, you may notice some bloody drainage or discharge from your nose. This is completely normal and isn’t worth stressing over. You might also experience swelling along with some fatigue and congestion. All of this is typical after any sinus surgery. You should be healed and free of these symptoms within five to seven days.
Make sure to follow your McAllen ENT's instructions, and the recovery process won't require as much effort than it would under traditional surgery.
All types of sinus procedures have similar risks. The leading potential complication is an intracranial complication. In these situations, the connection between the nose and the brain is affected throughout the surgery and brain fluid could leak into your nose. This complication hardly ever occurs, but if it did, it’s generally fixed before the surgery is over.
There’s also a chance that the appearance of your nose could change slightly after treatment. Sometimes the swelling doesn’t go away for days, or the nose looks different when the swelling goes away.
If you can’t properly cleanse the area, an infection might develop that needs medical attention. And although most sinus surgery improves your sense of smell, there are instances where the surgery makes it worse.
With the Glatz Group, you can get fast sinus relief, and resolving your symptoms now can help you avoid health issues in the future.
As a reminder, we want to mention that we are still taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all our staff and patients. We are currently utilizing telemedicine to handle the needs of those who can be helped from home.
At the same time, we are now open 6 days a week for all over your sinus needs, so if you wish to schedule an in-person examination for your allergies or sinusitis, or treatment schedule a balloon sinuplasty, we may also set you up as soon as we can.
With mandatory shelter-at-home ordinances still in place, your team here at the Glatz Group believes everyone should make it a top priority to not only stay safe, but also to stay healthy - and getting enough sleep is essential to your health.
If you’re suffering from interrupted sleep, this can result in all kinds of issues. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one condition known to negatively affect your sleep. This disorder makes it difficult for you to breathe properly while sleeping, which can cause serious health problems as it progresses.
If you or a loved one are dealing with sleep apnea, there’s no need to fret. Our certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group are here to explain how our in-office procedure, known as balloon sinuplasty, can help you.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, obstructive sleep apnea affects more than 18 million Americans. It is important to understand the symptoms of this condition to know what to look out for.
Symptoms of OSA include but are not limited to:
Snoring and sleep apnea are often confused as one and the same. In general, individuals who have untreated OSA may snore, but only certain individuals who snore actually have sleep apnea.
Snoring occurs because of a vibration in one’s breathing patterns. While snoring may be a symptom of sleep apnea, true sleep apnea is when an individual experiences several pauses in their breathing as they sleep.
Causes of sleep apnea involve a number of factors and would require a thorough evaluation by our team. It is imperative to determine the causes as they are unique to every patient. Typical causes include the following nasal and sinus conditions:
If you have OSA and it goes untreated, you can face some serious health issues. These include:
Your obstructive sleep apnea may be the source of your sinusitis. In sinusitis, sinuses are inflamed, therefore blocking the nasal passages, which impairs breathing, potentially leading to further health issues.
A fairly common treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Unfortunately, this method does not always give the best relief for your sinus problems. Another issue with CPAP is that the treatment takes place over a longer period of time, which is not an ideal option if you want quick relief.
For the most promising sinus relief, you may want to consider balloon sinuplasty as a treatment for OSA. This non-invasive procedure can be performed in our office with minimal pain.
Balloon sinuplasty helps by resolving chronic sinus congestion and recurring sinus infections, while also improving the state of nasal breathing, reducing snoring and improving issues related to your sleep apnea.
With the Glatz Group, you can be on your way to sinus relief and catching up on sleep. You should always look after your health concerns to prevent future problems.
Please be aware that we are taking all required precautions to ensure our staff and our patients stay safe and healthy. Right now we are using telemedicine to address the needs of our patients.
Online consultations or phone calls are also accepted.
If you need to schedule a treatment with balloon sinuplasty or an in-person examination for your OSA or sinusitis, we may also arrange an in-house procedure for you as soon as we can.
As we stay at home following the guidelines of world health officials, we have to also remember to maintain healthy habits and hygiene. In a recent article published by Valley Central that interviewed our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank Glatz spoke about a few tips that we can do to stay safe from contracting the virus.
Health experts have warned the public to avoid touching their face by all means, as COVID-19 can be transmitted very easily. Dr. Glatz highly suggests that whenever you leave your home, you should be extra cautious and attentive to what exactly you are touching.
Since it is suspected that the virus can be either airborne or passed on through microdroplets of mucus or saliva, should these substances land on objects you touch, you could get it on your hands. Then, something as simple as rubbing your face, rubbing your eye, or scratching your forehead could send the virus can into the eye, through the eye duct down into the nose, and eventually down into your throat.
At the beginning of this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement recommending all Americans to cover their mouths. If they do not own a mask, can’t purchase one due to the shortage, or if the store is out of stock, they must at least use any sort of scarf or cloth.
This is a practice Dr. Glatz cannot stress enough for us in the Rio Grande Valley area. If you need to go out to get groceries, pick up some takeout, or pick up a prescription from your local pharmacy, refrain from touching your face.
It is highly advised for everyone to wear gloves and masks as well when going out and about, even if doing so makes you feel uncomfortable from a social perspective. There is absolutely nothing strange when it comes down to protecting yourself and others.
And if you are wearing gloves, make sure you use them properly. Don’t touch items and then touch your face, as that can result in cross-contamination.
Many people may not have too many pairs of gloves to work with, but it is not necessary to have a cupboardful anyway. One thing Dr. Glatz highly recommends is to spray your gloves each time after use with isopropyl alcohol--or Everclear if in a pinch--from a spray bottle, as they’re effectively sterile.
It is far more effective to spray the gloves than to spray your hands due to the fact that your hands have loads of nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide. On these protective gloves, however, there is nowhere for them to hide. Don’t forget to sanitize yourself along with your daily items like your car keys and debit/credit card.
Remember that viruses may live on your daily items and surfaces for up to several hours to several days, depending on the surface. So it is always in your best interest to wipe them down as frequently as possible.
In this time of crisis, many of us are staying home in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but, unfortunately, this year’s allergy season isn’t going to be any lighter than usual, especially in the Rio Grande Valley.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one are an allergy sufferer, our certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and the caring team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group in McAllen can help in person or via our telemedicine services for your safety. Below you will find the different types of allergies that are most prominent in the Rio Grande Valley, their symptoms, and solutions we can provide.
Pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander are all common allergens, but the most common cause of spring allergies in Texas is:
The dry weather can only add to your sniffles as well. McAllen merely gets just about 26 inches of rain every year, which doesn’t help much to get rid of the pollen. Pollen counts are also predicted to rise over time. In fact, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), pollen counts are anticipated to more than double by 2040.
In addition, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases a Spring Allergy Capitals report each year ranking hot spots for allergies across the U.S. In 2016 McAllen fell in fifth place among the 12 worst cities for allergies on the rise, with the prevalence of pollen and widespread use of allergy medication surpassing the average.
If you have a pollen allergy and are breathing in pollen-heavy air, you may encounter a variety of allergy symptoms. If you have asthma, pollen can also aggravate the symptoms associated with that health issue, making the coughing and wheezing more extreme. Common allergic reactions to pollen and other seasonal allergens include:
There are many ways to manage allergy symptoms, from decongestants for running noses and over-the-counter medications like antihistamines for itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose. Your ENT doctor may also recommend immunotherapy shots or tablets if your pollen allergies are severe.
The shots are designed to build up the body’s resistance to pollen, while the tablets help for those suffering from grass and ragweed allergies. Aside from this kind of treatment, another option is a procedure done in our very own office called balloon sinuplasty. The minimally invasive operation helps to open up blocked or overly narrow passageways and drain out your sinuses more effectively before infection sets in.
You can rest assured knowing that at Glatz, you are in good hands. It’s always best to take care of your health concerns before they have a chance to worsen over time. Your ear, nose, and throat health is important, and putting off taking care of problems in this area can be risky.
For us, the health of our patients is our number one concern. During this pandemic, we will be taking all available precautions to keep our staff and our visitors safe and healthy. While we are still seeing patients in person, wee are also here to help you and your loved ones find a way to receive relief from your allergy and sinus concerns in the midst of the shelter-in-place.
We are taking advantage of telemedicine, where our remote services will be able to address 90 to 95 percent of all allergy symptoms. Give us a call to see if we can find a solution remotely for your problem. Online consultations can also be set up so your needs can be met from the comfort and safety of your home. If you’re in need of balloon sinuplasty or an in-person examination, we may also schedule you for an in-house procedure as soon as we can.
As a child, you may have had a certain allergy, only to find later that the symptoms you experienced were minimal, if even present, when you grew older. That said, however, should you develop an allergy as an adult, it is likely that you will have that allergy for the rest of your life.
Allergies can be very unpredictable, but the service you receive from Glatz Group is ever-reliable, especially during these uncertain times. Certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and the trusted team of sinus relief specialists want to address this question just in case you’ve wondered about your own allergies but cannot visit us to ask because of the shelter-in-place.
The vast majority of people develop allergies in their childhood or young adult years, but the truth of it all is, you can develop an allergy at any point in your life, even as you grow older into adulthood. As you are exposured to environmental allergens like pollen over time, your seasonal allergy symptoms may increase.
There is also a possibility that you will outgrow your allergies. Tolerance to allergens can grow if exposure to the allergen itself is kept at a minimum over time. This is comparable to the way vaccines function to build your immunity against particular bacteria and viruses, or the way allergy shots (immunotherapy) work to reduce a person’s allergic reaction to a certain allergen.
An overly sensitive immune system is what causes allergies. Your immune system is supposed to protect your body against illnesses and viruses, but, unfortunately, if your immune system is extremely sensitive, it will negatively respond to allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.
Your body reacts to these allergies by increasing the production of mucus, which then causes sneezing, nasal swelling, itchiness in your nose and eyes, and other types of symptoms. Your symptoms can also change as you get older.
People with allergies react to their allergens in ways that vary for each individual. Allergic reactions can also vary from one season to another or from one allergen to another.
There are some people who have enjoyed springtime for many years and then, for whatever reason, the month of May hits, and their nose starts to run. Allergic reactions can ruin the springtime for those who have them by making them feel miserable.
Over time, you may lose your tolerance against pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. The immune system fluctuates all the time, and allergies can change. While growing out of an allergy sounds nice, but the reality is that for most people allergies are more likely to develop than disappear. They can decrease in severity, or reactions may happen less often as time goes on, but most allergy sufferers will remain susceptible.
Taking steps to build immunity, getting rid of the allergen from your environment as much as possible, and focusing on keeping your overall health at its best are all good ways to help minimize your allergic reaction.
The McAllen sinus relief team at Glatz Group would be happy to help you manage your allergy and sinus needs in these difficult times. We can help you find the relief you need, whether you prefer to come to our office or speak via telemedicine services.
When it comes to sinuses or allergies getting out of hand, the procedure known as balloon sinuplasty is designed as a promising alternative to medications that can only do so much.
The science and technology behind this operation wouldn’t be possible without the Medtronic company having launched the NuVent electromagnetic (EM) sinus dilation system for the Fusion ENT navigation system back in 2014.
Today, our McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and the skilled team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group will explain how this Medtronic Balloon Sinus tool has shaped the way we perform balloon sinuplasty. With Dr. Frank R. Glatz’s guidance throughout 6 months of tutelage and one year of working alongside him, Jonathan ensures that the special brand of patient care specific to Glatz Group will remain the same.
Medtronic is a company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with one of the world's greatest sources for medical technology, services, and solutions - relieving pain, renewing health, and enhancing the quality of life and longevity for millions of people on a global level.
Medtronic also has more than 85,000 employees internationally, helping physicians, hospitals, and patients in about 160 countries. The company’s mission is to collaborate with stakeholders worldwide to improve the state of healthcare for humanity.
The balloon sinus dilation system called NuVent has built-in electromagnetic surgical navigation technology that allows us to fully see the anatomy, avoid sensitive areas, and prepare the placement of the balloon during balloon sinuplasty. This procedure essentially aids in opening your sinus passageways and is an effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic sinusitis.
By integrating the NuVent system with the Fusion ENT Navigation technology, we are able to spot the exact location of the NuVent tool’s tip through the help of the Fusion image guidance screen.
Once we’ve confirmed the placement with the help of the Fusion navigation system, the NuVent sinus balloon is inflated in order to expand the groove. Here’s a more detailed, broken down explanation as to how these systems are useful:
These innovations let us lightly expand tissues and bone in the openings of the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses in order to improve drainage without being too invasive.
The Nuvent system is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it was designed to work with Fusion ENT’s Navigation system so that physicians can use it as a guide when performing balloon sinuplasty.
The passageways are dilated with the help of this image-guided system used with NuVent. This technology gives us a detailed view of the sinus anatomy, not only making the procedure possible but also enhancing precision and allowing our team to help more patients like you in our very own office without the use of anesthesia.
Sinusitis and allergies can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional difficulties such as headaches and facial pain. At times, symptoms can be so bad that it can cause you to miss out on hours at work, personal engagements, physical activity, or sleep.
When antibiotics, decongestants, and saline sprays fail to alleviate your symptoms, balloon sinuplasty has been proven to control and reduce overall symptoms to minimize headaches, help you make it to school or work, lessen your visits to the doctor, and lessen the chances of getting a sinus infection, with recovery time after the procedure generally lasting around 24 hours.
To certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, you are not just another patient. He values what people remember from their visit, the experience with every patient, and the high impact he leaves on someone’s life. He can evaluate your symptoms and see if you are eligible for balloon sinuplasty in your in-office consultation.
Because your ear, nose, and throat health is our top priority, we will continue to see patients in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking extensive care and caution for your safety and the safety of our staff.
We understand that the uncertainty of the coronavirus or quarantine may keep you from receiving relief from your allergy and sinus concerns, but we are doing everything we can to ensure that you don’t have to live with that fear. At Glatz Group, we embrace telemedicine for this specific reason, and we can help diagnose your allergy and sinus symptoms through an initial over-the-phone consultation.
From there, online consultations may also be arranged in order to meet your needs remotely. Should you need a balloon sinuplasty or an in-person examination, that could be arranged as well.
Health officials from McAllen to Brownsville have warned citizens to stay in their homes in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but allergy season in the Rio Grande Valley is unrelenting and unforgiving. We are here to help!
Certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, trained and mentored by our McAllen ENT Dr. Frank R. Glatz, and the savvy team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group want to encourage those with severe allergy or sinus symptoms to continue to reach out to us so we can help you find relief.
While we will still provide in-person consultations with all the necessary care and precautionary measures taken, we will also be offering telemedicine services. After an initial phone consultation to discuss your symptoms, patients will be able to utilize an online video application for their appointment with the doctor.
The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to telemedicine as healing from a distance. It is a tool that we use to be more accessible to our sinus and allergy patients that cannot come into the office, saving them from the stresses of arranging for travel during a time when staying at home is the best way to avoid exposure to the coronavirus.
With this innovative telemedicine software, we are able to take care of 90 to 95 percent of sinus symptoms our patients experience and develop a treatment plan from the safety of their own homes, effectively addressing their concerns and preventing them from being at risk of COVID-19 exposure.
The way we use telemedicine is normally through a video call, but other ways that telemedicine is used include:
In some instances, medical data can also be drawn through portable telemedicine kits that use computer and mobile medical devices like electrocardiograms (ECGs) or vital signs monitors. High-resolution digital cameras are also an option for physicians to share detailed medical photos with specialists that are miles away.
The last option is robust telemedicine software that makes everything from data storage to live video conferencing possible. In a nutshell, there are many options for innovative telemedicine equipment to meet the various needs of patients today, especially in times like these where some may need it most.
The sinus relief team at Glatz Group take your allergy and sinus concerns seriously, and we are more than willing and ready to help you get the relief you need, whether you are in our office or through innovative telemedicine services.
As we enter another month into the pandemic, the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect people in our country and around the globe. In times like these, we must remain calm, be rational, and do our best in being aware of the symptoms and methods of prevention.
While much of the virus’ symptoms may seem like something more common like allergies or the flu, your local McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, and the skilled team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group are here to help crack down the facts regarding this virus.
The symptoms of the coronavirus should not be confused with those of allergies or the flu. While we cannot stress enough that the public must make note of any possible signs of coronavirus, however, similar symptoms can result in confusion about what may be the primary illness. Here's how you can differentiate between allergies, the flu, or the virus.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology lists the following symptoms of allergies as:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that influenza (flu) may lead to mild to severe illness and, at times, can cause death to those who come across it. Symptoms of the flu involve:
The CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) mention the following in their list of COVID-19 symptoms:
The flu and the coronavirus can impact other systems along the upper and lower respiratory tract. If your nose isn’t runny but you notice a sore throat, a cough, a fever, or shortness of breath, that is how you can determine if what you have is related to the symptoms presented by the flu or COVID-19.
Keep an eye on your temperature, as it's highly unlikely that allergies would lead to a fever. They often don't create a shortness of breath either, unless you’ve got a preexisting condition such as asthma.
If you encountered the same symptoms at the same time every year, you're more than likely dealing with seasonal allergies. If that’s the case, we can provide you with the right medication as well as other typical treatment options like Balloon Sinuplasty to help you feel better.
If you catch the flu or the coronavirus, you’ll feel extremely exhausted and achy, so much so that getting out of bed could feel nearly impossible. Allergies can cause your drowsiness, but they won’t make your muscles or joints ache.
With regular illnesses, you can expect to feel better with adequate rest and care within a matter of days, unless you’re elderly or face any underlying health issues where even less severe illnesses can take more time to overcome.
If you have a bad case of the flu or coronavirus, you might get worse when you’re anticipating getting over it. That is when you should seek medical care if you haven’t already. The main cause for concern of COVID-19 would be if you felt a shortness of breath. Individuals can also get pneumonia from the flu, so either way, your best interest is to receive medical attention immediately.
Unfortunately, the beginning stages of allergies, colds, flus, and the coronavirus can be related, and some coronavirus and flu cases can be so minor that they may not cause much concern. That's why you must pay attention to the severity and duration of your symptoms, then find out if you’re part of an at-risk party.
Elderly people, people with asthma or other lung problems, people with heart disease or diabetes, and pregnant women may be more susceptible to contracting the virus and are also among the individuals that are often more at risk of succumbing to the virus.
If you believe you have the coronavirus, you must consider the following:
As there currently is no existing vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best method to prevent illness is to avoid any potential exposure to this virus. The virus is said to spread from person-to-person, whether it’s between those who are in close contact with one another--within approximately six feet--or through respiratory droplets made when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Once airborne, these droplets can travel into the mouths, noses, or eyes of those who are in close proximity.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent and protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19:
Wash your hands as much as you can, and use hand sanitizer if you aren’t near a sink or soap. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands.
Avoid close contact with those who appear to be sick.
Keep a safe distance between yourself from others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
Stay home if you feel sick.
Cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing.
Wear a facemask.
Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch frequently.
Dr. Glatz also mentioned that chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, has been shown to slow down viral replication, reproduction, and maybe early survival. However, don’t see this information as a reason to live in fear. See it as an opportunity to be proactive, hygienic, and safe rather than sorry. The best thing we can do is take the precautionary measures necessary.
As we approach the Spring season in a matter of weeks, most of us are anticipating the beauty and warmth of the great outdoors. Unfortunately, millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies are in for a stormy vengeance of sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes the season.
It might be time to start stocking up on tissues for your sinus issues. Today, our local McAllen ENT Dr. Frank R. Glatz, trusted and certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, and the diligent team of sinus relief specialists here at the Glatz Group will go into what to expect this season and how to prepare for the worst.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, those who suffer from seasonal allergies should prepare themselves for a long, intense season this spring. Pollen levels are expected to be above average for a large section of the US, a region with a population of 193 million people that stretches from Texas to Michigan and on eastward.
With more than 50 million Americans experiencing the discomfort of seasonal allergies, it is predicted that this spring’s more-than-average rainfall, coupled with near-average temperatures, will promote the production of grass, weed, and tree pollen.
Those who suffer from grass pollen may have a long, unforgiving season ahead of them into the summer. These weather and growing conditions also mean that the season may come a-knocking even earlier than we normally would anticipate, for the first time since 1986.
The same stands for tree pollen from the mid-Atlantic spread through the Gulf and the Southern Plains. The East and the Gulf coastline should expect a harsher tree pollen season this 2020.
The forecast in those regions will also be a concern for those whose allergies are triggered by weed pollen, since levels are way above average and could continue on right into the fall.
The rest of the country will not be affected as severely, but allergy sufferers in a couple of locations should probably have their tissues ready and available for use.
The best method to handle spring allergy symptoms is to visit our board-certified ENT at the Glatz Group, who can gladly help you develop a treatment plan catered to your specific needs which may require taking recommended medicines prior to the season starting.
Another option that either Dr. Glatz or Jonathan may propose, depending on the severity of your symptoms and how they react to medications, you may want to consider if you qualify for a procedure done in our very own office known as balloon sinuplasty. The purpose of this operation is to make your sinus passages expand, enabling your sinuses to drain more efficiently while they flush away allergens. This procedure functions as a longer-lasting alternative for patients with symptoms that don’t seem to cooperate or simmer down with the help of medications.
Anesthesia is not mandatory for this procedure, and patients are usually able to resume their daily lives after at least 24 hours of recovery have passed.
The best way to choose the treatment that will work most effectively for your particular symptoms is by speaking with our skilled sinus relief team at Glatz Group in order to prepare for the worst allergy season sooner rather than later.
We also highly suggest limiting or avoiding going outdoors at peak times of the day for pollen, which generally can range from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. to dusk. At the same time, warmer, breezy days tend to exacerbate conditions for allergy sufferers.
