PHX Reporter

• 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.

Diana Ruiloba | Arizona Breathe Free

For many Americans- seeking treatment for chronic sinusitis, a condition that causes chronic sinus pain, can be a difficult and expensive process. Thanks to new treatments and the opening of clinics, such as Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, that doesn't have to be the case. 

Diana Ruiloba, a physician assistant at Arizona Breathe Free, said that treating the condition with medications can be expensive and not always effective.

“Treating sinusitis can have significant financial impact over time when multiple over-the-counter medications, antibiotics, steroids are having to be purchased to manage," Ruiloba told PHX Reporter. "Multiple medical visits to get symptoms managed can lead to significant cost. Sinusitis flareups are leading to you having to take days off from work or school, and this can be substantial over time.“

WebMD reports that about 90% of adults in the U.S. who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- which is a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks -- are prescribed antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis is a sinus infection lasting more than 12 weeks. Congestion of the nose, headaches, coughing, facial pain and discomfort are some of the most common symptoms of sinus infections.

The American Heart Association reports that overuse of antibiotics can affect a patient's gut microbiota, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Overuse of antibiotics can also contribute to premature death, according to the report.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who develop antibiotic resistance are more likely to contract infections related to joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment.

Balloon sinuplasty is an alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis, which is typically recommended after other treatments have failed. The procedure for balloon sinuplasty is relatively straightforward, and there have been few reported complications. There is not removal of bone or tissue, according to Healthline.

Balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a thin tube with a small balloon at one end into the nose, guiding the balloon to the blocked area and inflating it. Congestion is alleviated by clearing the passageway for sinuses to drain properly, allowing the patient to breathe more effectively.

If you're suffering from chronic sinus infections and looking for more information on treatment options, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.