NE Valley Times

• Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for sinusitis.
• Doctors warn that overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of "antibiotic resistance," which can cause serious health complications.
• Patients looking for a long-term solution have treatment options such as balloon sinuplasty.

Many sinusitis patients are prescribed antibiotics, but Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center told NE Valley Times that there are many risks involved in relying on antibiotics, including becoming immune.

"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 said. "Most of the time, the medication choices that we have work well for patients with sinusitis. Sinus infections are treated with antibiotics all the time. Urgent care doctors, primary care doctors, physician assistants or nurse practitioners are using good science to choose the antibiotic. As soon as you take a pill, remember that the 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."

Gergits also discussed the long-term effects of overuse of antibiotics.

"Then the other problem happens," he said. "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. 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."

According to WebMD, acute sinusitis is a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, is a sinus infection that lasts for more than 12 weeks. Sinus infection symptoms include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort and nasal drainage. Ninety percent of American adults who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis are prescribed antibiotics.

The American Heart Association reported that overusing antibiotics has been linked to changes in a patient's gut microbiota, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The AHA also noted that antibiotic overuse can be a risk factor for premature death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those who develop resistance to antibiotics can face an increased risk of developing infections related to other medical procedures, such as joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatments.

Chronic sinusitis patients have alternative treatment options available, such as balloon sinuplasty.

According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis after other treatments have proven ineffective. The procedure doesn't involve any cutting or removal of bone or tissue. It's relatively straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. Following a balloon sinuplasty, many patients are able to resume their daily activities within one or two days. Some patients are even able to drive themselves home after the procedure.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.