NE Valley Times

• Many sinusitis patients are prescribed antibiotics, but their overuse can lead to health risks or the development of antibiotic resistance.
• Antibiotic resistance can increase risks for patients who develop infections after other medical procedures.
• Patients with chronic sinusitis have alternative treatment options, such as balloon sinuplasty.

Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center says that people who suffer from chronic sinusitis and try to treat the condition with antibiotics could find that, over time, the antibiotics become less effective.

"Antibiotic immunity or resistance happens when patients are given antibiotics over and over again, hoping that this next antibiotic is going to reverse the problem and make them feel better," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "Most of the time, the medication choices that we have work well for patients with sinusitis. Sinus infections are treated by antibiotics all the time. As soon as you take a pill, remember that antibiotic travels throughout our entire system and also hits the digestive bacteria. If the digestive bacteria is hit too hard, then it can cause serious problems with excessive diarrhea, or even worse."

Of adults in the U.S. who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks -- about 90% are prescribed antibiotics, according to WebMD. Chronic sinusitis 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 for premature death.

"If the patients are given too many antibiotics over their life, and the immunity or resistance occurs now for an infection that they might need an antibiotic for later, it might not work well," Gergits said. "They might need to go with a stronger antibiotic or even an IV antibiotic because they've been on too many antibiotics over the course of their lifetime."

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 (CDC.)

An alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis sufferers is balloon sinuplasty, which is typically recommended after other treatments for the condition have been ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There’s no cutting involved and no removal of bone or tissue, according to Healthline.

If you'd like more information about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.