• Antibiotics are typically used as an initial treatment for sinus infections.
• Potential health risks associated with ongoing antibiotic use include cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Balloon sinuplasty is an alternative treatment option for chronic sinusitis.
Of adults in the U.S. who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- which is a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks -- about 90% are prescribed antibiotics, according to WebMD. Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, is a sinus infection that lasts for more than 12 weeks. Symptoms of sinus infections can include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort, and nasal drainage.
Overusing antibiotics has been linked to changes in the patient's gut microbiota, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the American Heart Association. The report notes that overusing antibiotics could also be a risk factor in premature death.
People who develop resistance to antibiotics can face increased risk if they experience infections related to other medical procedures, such as joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"What happens when we are prescribing antibiotics that are inappropriate or unnecessary is that we are allowing bacteria to see these antibiotics and then develop ways around them," Dr. Nicola DeLorio of Accent Sinus Center & Head & Neck Group told New Jersey Business Daily. "I think the statistics right now show up to 60% of prescriptions fall in that category. So what happens is those bacteria now are not being killed by those antibiotics, and we're needing to use stronger and longer-term dosing to treat patients with infections. A big example is strep bacteria; it's very common to cause sinusitis. About 38% of strep is resistant to amoxicillin and Zithromax, or the dreaded Z-pack. The overuse of these antibiotics has caused them now to be ineffective for treatment of strep."
An alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis sufferers is balloon sinuplasty, which is typically recommended after other treatments have been ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There’s no cutting nor removal of bones or tissue, according to Healthline.
Balloon sinuplasty is a good option for patients who don't need anything removed from the sinuses, according to WebMD. The doctor puts a thin tube into the nose with a small balloon attached to one end, then guides the balloon to the blocked area inside the nose and inflates it. The balloon helps clear the passageway so the sinuses can drain properly, alleviating congestion and allowing the patient to breathe more effectively.
If you're experiencing chronic sinus infections and are interested in treatment options, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.