SE Valley Times

• 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.

Dr. Brian Lee | Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center

For adults who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks -- most are prescribed antibiotics, sometimes repeatedly. However, Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center said repeated antibiotic use can have negative side effects.

According to WebMD, about 90% of adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis are treated with antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis, however, can last longer than 12 weeks, meaning multiple rounds of antibiotics could become ineffective or cause other health problems.

"I think there are a lot of people who get sick, go in, get antibiotics and (they're) fine,” Lee told SE Valley Times. “If that happens once or twice a year, it's not the hugest deal. But unfortunately, there are people that are going through that process six, eight, ten times a year, where they're literally on antibiotics almost every month. In those cases, they do run the risk of developing resistant bacteria in their sinuses or developing GI issues from all the antibiotics they are taking.”

Some symptoms of sinus infections include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain and nasal drainage, according to WebMD. With antibiotics so widely distributed, repeated rounds of treatment are common.

“What happens when people start to take a lot of antibiotics is that you can start to build up resistance," Lee said. "As you take more and more antibiotics, you start killing off the weaker bacteria. What you're left with are the stronger bacteria that are resistant or don't respond well to most antibiotics. Worst-case scenario: You can run into a situation where you do have a bacteria that does not respond to most or all of the antibiotics that we have available. And that is the superbugs that you hear about in the news."

In addition, excessive use of antibiotics has been linked to changes in gut microbiota, which could put the patient at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the American Heart Association. The AHA also reported that overusing antibiotics could be a risk factor in premature death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that resistance to antibiotics also put patients at increased risk of infection related to procedures such as joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment.

That’s why Lee and others have suggested balloon sinuplasty as alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis. Typically recommended after other treatments for their condition have been ineffective, balloon sinuplasty is a straightforward procedure with minimal complications, according to Healthline.There’s no cutting and no removal of bones or tissue.

According to WebMD, the doctor puts a thin tube inside the nose with a small balloon attached to one end, then guides the balloon to the blocked area inside the nose and inflates it. The balloon then helps clear the passageway, relieving congestion so sinuses can drain properly and the patient can breathe effectively.

If you're experiencing chronic sinus infections and are interested in learning more about treatment options, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.