Hoosier State Today

• 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.

Sinusitis is an ailment that affects people all across the country, and while the vast majority are prescribed antibiotics to fight the problem, overuse can cause them to be less effective while simultaneously causing long-term health problems.

“Antibiotic resistance is becoming a more prevalent problem as more bacteria exposed to more antibiotics develop ways around being affected by the antibiotics,” Dr. Anthony Sanders of Indianapolis Sinus Center told Hoosier State Today. “People who have chronic sinus infections and are treated with multiple antibiotics throughout the years can find that the antibiotics (become) less effective over time."

According to WebMD, 90% of adults who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis are prescribed antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that people who develop resistance to antibiotics can face an increased health risk if they have infections from other medical procedures like joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes.

This is called antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria and fungi are able to defeat drugs designed to kill them. This has been linked to millions of deaths around the world. 

According to the American Heart Association, the overuse of antibiotics has also been linked to changes in a patient’s gut microbiota. This can lead to chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Balloon sinuplasty is an alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis, and it is known to be straightforward with minimal complications. According to Healthline, the procedure does not involve the cutting or removal of any bones. This procedure can often be done in a doctor’s office rather than a hospital, and it is typically recommended when other treatments have not been effective.

Balloon sinuplasty involves a doctor putting a thin tube into the nose with a small balloon at one end. The balloon is guided to the blocked area inside the nasal cavity and inflated. This helps clear the passageway for drainage, and congestion is alleviated, according to WebMD.

Acute sinusitis is a sinus infection that lasts less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis, however, lasts for more than 12 weeks. Symptoms include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, nasal drainage and facial pain or discomfort.

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