PHX Reporter

• 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. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says that while some sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics, it's best to see patients as soon as possible to come up with the best treatment plan and the right medicine.

"Obviously, not all sinus infections are bacterial," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "All antibiotics are geared towards bacterial infections. Some [sinus infections] can be viral, and they don't require an antibiotic at all. So we have to use our best judgment. The good news is that we pinpointed the most common bacteria out there that tends to inhabit the average sinus infection. As long as we're choosing the right antibiotics, we don't run the risk of increasing or selecting even stronger bacteria by not completely eradicating them." 

Of adults in the U.S. 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. With illnesses that last that long, some people delay before going to the doctor.

"That's our biggest danger out there in the community," Stewart said. "But a lot of people run into urgent care or don't see their specialists. They might not [be prescribed] the right medicines. So seeing the right person for the right problem is always your best choice for everything. It lessens antibiotic resistance. If you do that, your chance of getting the most accurate diagnosis obviously goes up."

Symptoms of sinus infections include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort and nasal drainage, according to WebMD.

Overusing antibiotics has been linked to changes in gut microbiota, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The report notes that overusing antibiotics could also be a risk factor in premature death.

Those who develop resistance to antibiotics face increased risk of infections from other medical procedures, such as joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

An alternative to antibiotics, however, is balloon sinuplasty, which is typically recommended after other treatments have been ineffective. According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty is straightforward, and complications are reportedly minimal. There’s no cutting involved and no removal of bone or tissue, and the procedure can be done on an outpatient basis.

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