Hoosier State Today

• 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.  

According to Dr. Nicholas Hollenkamp from the Indianapolis Sinus Center, excessive use of antibiotics can pose significant health hazards. He recommends balloon sinuplasty surgery as an appropriate approach to treat chronic sinusitis in some patients.

"Every time you take an antibiotic, there's some risk of developing some resistance. It's still the No. 1 treatment option for sinusitis. But the thing you want to be careful of is not overtreating, not treating every cold with antibiotics," Hollenkamp told Hoosier State Today.  

Sinus infections have symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort and nasal drainage. WebMD says that about 90% of adults in the U.S. who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- a sinus infection that lasts less than four weeks -- are prescribed antibiotics. Sinus infections that last for more than 12 weeks are classified as "chronic sinusitis."

"The people who get (sinusitis) repeatedly and they're on antibiotics numerous times every year, that's where you worry more about either antibiotic resistance or the other problem with the antibiotics, all the GI upset," Hollenkamp said.

The consequences of overusing antibiotics can increase chronic disease risks and premature death, and antibiotic resistance raises infection risks during medical procedures.

The American Heart Association reports that excessive use of antibiotics may alter a patient's gut microbiota, potentially increasing the risk of chronic illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease. The report also suggests that overuse of antibiotics could be a contributing factor to premature mortality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that people who acquire antibiotic resistance may face elevated risks if they encounter infections related to medical procedures like joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment.

Balloon sinuplasty is a simple and low-risk procedure recommended for chronic sinusitis, if conventional treatments have failed.

"I think that's where the surgeries sometimes really are beneficial, and the balloon procedures are beneficial," Hollenkamp said. "They minimize the amount of time that (patients are) on these antibiotics. I think it can be a game changer."

When conventional treatments for chronic sinusitis are unsuccessful, balloon sinuplasty is frequently recommended. The procedure is relatively simple, and complications are rare. There is no tissue or bone removal, and no cutting involved. Many patients are able to resume their normal routines within a day or two after the procedure. Some even drive themselves home from the hospital afterwards.

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