Grand Canyon 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.

Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center wants sinusitis patients to know that taking antibiotics every once in a while is fine, but those who are using them frequently run the risk of developing antibiotic resistance and other complications.

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 WebMD.

“When you're sick and you've got a bad infection, you kind of need them,” Lee told Grand Canyon Times. “If that happens once or twice a year, it's not the hugest deal, but unfortunately, there are people who are going through that process six, eight, 10 times a year, where they're literally on antibiotics almost every month. In those cases, they do run the risk of developing resistant bacteria in their sinuses or developing GI issues from all the antibiotics they are taking. As you take more and more antibiotics, you start killing off the weaker bacteria. What you're left with are the stronger bacteria that are resistant or don't respond well to most antibiotics.”

Compared with acute sinusitis, 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.

Overuse of 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 2019 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 (CDC).

Balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis, after other options have been ineffective in treating the condition, according to Healthline. The procedure involves no cutting or removal of either bones or tissue. There are only minimal complications associated with a balloon sinuplasty, and many people are able to return to their daily routine within two days, even driving themselves home after undergoing the procedure.

If you’re interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.