New Delhi (PTI): Those suffering from sinusitis can now look forward to an effective treatment of the disease as Sir Ganga Ram Hospitals claimed to have introduced Balloon sinuplasty for the first time in Northern India.

The procedure is said to be permanent and cost-effective cure for the disease which results in inflamation of the sinus lining leading to blockage in the nose.

"The advantage of this procedure is that it involves faster recovery time and less post-procedure discomfort. This hospital has already conducted six successful surgeries in this regard, since March this year," Dr B K Rao, Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital claimed.

Sinusitis is an inflamation of the sinus lining caused by microbial infections like bacteria and viruses. This infection usually starts when the sinus openings are blocked and the normal mucus drainage does not occur.

An acute infection following common cold happens at least once in their lifetime. However, if the infection is not treated properly it may then persist as chronic sinusitis.

Rao said that Balloon Sinuplasty is a tried and tested method in the US. Introduced by Dr Howard Levine, the MD and director of the Cleveland Nasal Sinus and Sleep Centre since 2005, "the US has tried it on more than 1000 patients and this they did after 20 years of clinical trials".

Common symptoms include headache, nasal blockage, yellow green nasal discharge or post nasal drip, facial pain, pressure, congestion or fullness along with malaise and fatigue.