North Richmond Today

• One of the main triggers of sinusitis is allergies, and summer allergies are right around the corner.
• There are minimally invasive treatment options available to sinusitis sufferers.
• Dr. John Ditto and his team at Richmond Breathe Free can help to nip your sinusitis and allergy issues in the bud before they cause you to cancel your summer plans.

Summer is here and it's time for traveling, backyard barbecues and spending time in the warm weather. Unfortunately, sinusitis and allergies can put a damper on your summer plans, but getting treated now can help that issue.

Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said his philosophy is to help patients breathe to their full potential.

"My practice philosophy is to help people to breathe free," Ditto told North Richmond Today. "I can improve nasal airflow and ventilation to the paranasal sinuses by affecting the structure, as well as the innate lining within the nose, which can be affected by inflammation and other disorders. That's my philosophy, to help people breathe free and to improve their nasal health."

Although spring allergies might be waning, as trees and flowers are finished blooming, summer allergies caused by weeds and grasses are the next thing to worry about. One of the most common allergy triggers in the summer is ragweed, which doesn't only affect the areas it grows in, as it can travel hundreds of miles on the wind, according to WebMD.

There are minimally invasive treatment options, one of which is called balloon sinuplasty. A balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that's simple and only takes about an hour, according to sinussurgeryoptions.com. The prep lasts about 30 minutes and involves a local anesthetic being applied to the nose for comfort. A thin instrument with a balloon attached is then guided through your sinus, the balloon is gently inflated for five seconds with saline and, when your sinuses open, the balloon is removed.

Ditto and his team at Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers can help to treat your sinus issues before they put a damper on your plans this summer. The clinic offers balloon sinuplasty, along with other sinus, allergy, and ear nose and throat (ENT) treatments. Ditto is specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, and he understands the complicated systems of the head and neck and how they work together to achieve your overall health.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.