Backspin Volume 3, Issue 4 | Page 16

healthspin Before You Head to the Greens, Get Relief From Sinuses and Allergies Dr. Toni Dennis North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic Dr. Jeffrey LaCour North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic 16 With flowers blooming, trees budding and grass sprouting, golfers with allergies and sinus issues can expect some additional challenges on the course. Even professional golfers sometimes struggle with stuffy noses and sinus pressure. “Many golfers have chronic sinus conditions and react to seasonal allergens causing nasal obstruction and sinus pressure,” states ear, nose and throat specialist Jeffrey B. LaCour, MD. For chronic sufferers, there’s hope in a treatment called Balloon Sinuplasty™ that will get them back on the green in a short time, according to Dr. LaCour. Drs. LaCour and Tony Dennis regularly perform Balloon Sinuplasty™ at North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic. Because it’s less invasive than traditional surgery, the doctors recommend it for those with mild to moderate sinus disease.  Patients may have recurring infections with frequent congestion and sinus pressure which does not respond to medication. “Many patients with chronic sinusitis won’t respond to medication and a procedure may be their best option,” Dr. LaCour explains. “Traditional surgery involves removal of bone and soft tissue from the blocked sinuses and is suggested for those with significant disease. Patients with less severe disease may benefit from Balloon Sinuplasty™, which does not involve removal of bone. The sinus openings are dilated to help sinuses drain.” During the procedure, a small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function – much like a heart surgeon opens blocked arteries during a balloon angioplasty. Patients