PHX Reporter

• 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. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said people who are suffering from sinusitis should see a specialist for treatment. Otherwise, they run the risk of being given the wrong antibiotic that might not resolve their problem.

"Obviously, not all sinus infections are bacterial," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "All antibiotics are geared toward bacterial infections. Some of them 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 tend 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. That's our biggest danger out there in the community."

Of adults in the U.S. 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.

It's best to see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and avoid antibiotic resistance, as people who go to urgent care facilities or skip seeing a specialist risk being prescribed ineffective medicines.

"But a lot of people run into the urgent care or don't see their specialists," Stewart said. "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 goes up." 

The American Heart Association reports that excessive use of antibiotics is associated with changes in gut microbiota that may increase the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and even premature death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that patients who have developed resistance to antibiotics may face an elevated risk of infections related to medical procedures like organ transplants, joint replacements and diabetes treatment.

Stewart emphasized the importance of getting patients an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment as soon as possible.

"The good news for our clinic is that we see probably 90% of our patients the same day if they call in," Stewart said. "That's not always possible. Some people say, ‘Do we even have an opening in my schedule today? I'll just call in about it tomorrow.’ We get them in as fast as possible."

When other treatments for chronic sinusitis have failed, balloon sinuplasty is often suggested as a simple procedure with minimal reported complications, involving no removal of bones or tissue. Following the procedure, many patients are able to resume their normal activities within a day or two, with some even driving themselves home afterwards.

"We know that when people have a problem, they don't want to be seen two months from now; they want to be seen as soon as possible," Stewart said.  "That's our mantra: to get them in as fast as possible, get them an accurate diagnosis and get them the best, most effective treatment."

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