Study after study confirms bad allergies severely affect quality of life. Some people even have symptoms year round, but there is a simple office procedure that is changing lives.
There was nothing seasonal about David Fisher's symptoms.
"It used to keep me from sleeping, it would keep me from breathing. I was basically a mouth breather at work all day," said Fisher.
And there is nothing seasonal or mild about Candace Williams' either.
"I would describe as debilitating and chronic," she said.
She's hoping for a quick fix to her allergy symptoms.
Dr. Craig Schwimmer is about to gently place what Williams hopes is a magic wand in her nose -- a simple, quick office procedure called turbinate coblation.
This little wand emits radio frequencies that will shrink Williams' turbinates, the spongy bones which filter the air we breathe. Hers have become enlarged after years of irritation, blocking her nasal passages.
"It was just night and day, how much I could breathe through my nose as compared to before," said Fisher.
After dozens of prescription and over the counter sprays and pills to no avail, Fisher could finally sleep at night and concentrate during the day after having the $1,500 turbinate coblation procedure.
"This is probably one of the best decisions I've ever made," said Fisher.
"You can dramatically change their quality of life because people who are congested and have pressure are really miserable," said Dr. Craig Schwimmer, otolaryngologist.
Turbinate reduction used to require a general anesthesia and incisions. Now it's a 10 minute procedure and in most cases provides almost instant results.
"Of all the procedures I currently do, this is the one, without a doubt, that has the most consistent and dramatic patient satisfaction," said Schwimmer.
The procedure is available locally. CLICK HERE for more information and a list of doctors on the ArthroCare ENT Web site.
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