Chronic Sinus Relief w/ Dr. Mariah Pate—Allergies, CRS & Balloon Sinuplasty Explained

If you’ve been battling constant congestion, fatigue, or pressure behind your eyes—it may not be “just allergies.” ENT expert Dr. Mariah Pate joins the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast to explain chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), what causes it, and how modern treatments like balloon sinuplasty and allergy immunotherapy can help you finally find lasting relief. 🎧

Key Takeaways:

🔹 What CRS Really Is:
Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as sinus symptoms that last 12 weeks or longer. It’s often mistaken for allergies or recurring colds.

🔹 Symptoms Are More Than Just Congestion:
Beyond stuffy noses and sinus pressure, CRS can cause brain fog, poor sleep, low energy, and even reduced exercise tolerance.

🔹 Causes of CRS:
Common triggers include recurrent infections, anatomical blockages (like a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates), allergies, and even post-COVID inflammation.

🔹 Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed:
CRS shares symptoms with other conditions. Dr. Pate emphasizes the importance of proper exams and imaging like in-office CT scans to get a full picture.

🔹 How It’s Treated:
Treatment can range from saline rinses and nasal sprays to allergy immunotherapy. When needed, minimally invasive procedures like balloon sinuplasty or turbinate reduction can offer long-term relief.

🔹 Allergy Testing is Key:
Untreated allergies can sabotage even successful procedures. Immunotherapy—especially allergy shots—is a gold standard in long-term sinus care.

🔹 When to Consider Surgery:
If medications and allergy therapy haven’t worked, addressing anatomical issues may help restore proper airflow and reduce inflammation.

🔹 Link to Sleep & Quality of Life:
CRS can worsen snoring, make CPAP harder to tolerate, and leave patients exhausted. Treating it can significantly improve sleep and daily functioning.

🔹 Biologics for Nasal Polyps:
New medications that target immune pathways are changing outcomes for patients with severe nasal polyps—especially those with asthma.

🔹 Everyday Tips for Sinus Health:
Dr. Pate recommends saline rinses (especially those with xylitol), staying hydrated, managing inflammation, and not ignoring persistent symptoms.

Conclusion:

If you’ve been living with sinus problems for years, now is the time to act. Chronic sinusitis is more common than most realize—and it’s very treatable. With modern diagnostics and less invasive treatment options, patients can breathe easier, sleep better, and get back to feeling like themselves.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Mariah Pate is a board-certified Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician based in St. Petersburg, Florida. She specializes in sinus and allergy care, with a focus on minimally invasive procedures like balloon sinuplasty. Dr. Pate is passionate about personalized care and helping patients find long-term relief from chronic sinus issues.

📍 Visit her online at www.tampabaybreathefree.com or call 727-493-2479 to schedule an appointment.