My Home Health Care Blog

Newburgh – We’ve all been there – runny nose, the pressure, sometimes a fever – and before you know it – the sinus infection – also known as acute sinusitis. And, if you’re like many sinusitis sufferers, you feel like you want to lop your head off!

You’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control, sinusitis affects 37 million people each year, making it one of the most common health problems in the U.S. It’s more prevalent than heart disease and asthma and has a greater impact on quality of life than chronic back pain or congestive heart failure. Symptoms may even affect people physically, functionally, and emotionally.

Now, chronic sufferers of sinusitis can take comfort in knowing that there is a minimally invasive treatment available. Dr. Ran Rubinstein, a triple board-certified ENT specialist, was the first in the region to offer patients relief with a revolutionary procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty™.

Much like cardiologists use a balloon catheter to open a blocked artery, Balloon Sinuplasty uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter that is placed into the nose to reach the sinuses. The sinus balloon catheter is gradually inflated to gently restructure the blocked nasal passage, without damaging sinus lining and restoring normal sinus drainage and function. There is minimal bleeding, and many patients have been able to return to normal activities within 24 hours. Clinical research has indicated that the Balloon Sinuplasty system is a safe and effective tool in dilating blocked sinuses.

“Anyone who suffers from chronic sinus infections knows how painful they can be and how disruptive they can be to daily functioning,” says Dr. Rubinstein of ENT, Allergy & Sinus Practice, located in Newburgh, NY. “The Balloon Sinuplasty procedure has been wonderfully beneficial for my patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. It’s safe and effective, minimally invasive and results in virtually no bleeding and faster recovery time,” Dr. Rubinstein continued. Balloon Sinuplasty is a same-day procedure and does not require a hospital stay.

“For years I suffered from chronic sinus infections,” said Christina Jefferson of Newburgh . “They were terribly painful and disrupted my life. Turning to Dr. Rubinstein for the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure really gave me my life back. I missed just a few days of work, and didn’t have any swelling, bruising, or that awful packing in my nose. The results have been phenomenal,” Christina continued.

To understand sinusitis, it is important to understand how sinuses work and the affect they have on our health. The sinuses are air spaces behind the bones of the upper face, between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose, and cheeks. The sinuses are covered with a mucus layer and cells that contain little hairs on their surfaces called cilia. These help trap and push out bacteria and pollutants. Each sinus has an opening that allows mucus to drain – this drainage is essential to keeping sinuses working well and a person healthy. Anything that obstructs that flow may cause a buildup of mucus in the sinuses, which can lead to an infection.

Facts About Sinusitis:

* Sinusitis affects approximately 14% of the adult U.S. population.

* Sinusitis affects 17% of women and 10% of men each year.

* Chronic sinusitis (not including acute sinusitis) results annually in an estimated 18-22 million physician office visits.

* Direct healthcare expenditures due to sinusitis cost are over $8 billion each year.

* Total restricted activity days due to sinusitis are over 73 million per year.
Source

HOW CAN I PAY FOR HOME HEALTH CARE

The cost of home health care varies across states and within states. In addition, costs will fluctuate depending on the type of health care professional required. Home care services can be paid for directly by the patient and his or her family members, or through a variety of public and private sources. Sources for home health care funding include Medicare, Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, the Veterans’ Administration, and private insurance.
Medicare is the largest single payer of home care services. The Medicare program will pay for home health care if all of the following conditions are met:
• The patient must be homebound and under a doctor’s care;
• The patient must need skilled nursing care, or occupational, physical, or speech therapy,
   on at least an intermittent basis (that is, regularly but not continuously)
• The services provided must be under a doctor’s supervision and performed as part of a
   home health care plan written specifically for that patient
• The patient must be eligible for the Medicare program and the services ordered must
   be “medically reasonable and necessary”
• The home health care agency providing the services must be certified by the
   Medicare program.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU NEED

Home care services can enhance your health and quality of life by helping you maintain your independence. The type of home care service you may need depends on factors such as your mental and physical health, what kind of support you have from family or friends, and whether you live in your own home or in a facility that provides some types of assistance. Home care services can range from help with chores to professional health care and rehabilitation.