Central Texas News

• The overuse of antibiotics prescribed for sinusitis 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. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said people who suffer from chronic sinusitis need a more permanent solution than antibiotics, which tend to become less effective over time. 

He recommends that patients avoid antibiotic resistance and improve their quality of life through a simple procedure.

"One thing I tell patients is that antibiotics, unfortunately, have a negative impact on the normal bacteria," Trimble told Central Texas News. "The goal is to eradicate the pathological or abnormal bacteria. Most people will find that antibiotics, other than being temporarily helpful, sometimes it's questionable about whether or not they're helpful at all."

Trimble acknowledges that it can be difficult for patients to break from the pattern of treating their sinus infections with antibiotics.

"One thing I do remind people of is that we've built our treatment paradigms based on antibiotics, so it's hard to get away from that," Trimble said. "What I tell people is: Look, if you're having to take antibiotics on a fairly regular basis because of your sinuses, it would make sense that it would be much better for you long-term to find a different solution.''

Among adults in the U.S. who are diagnosed with acute sinusitis -- a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks -- approximately 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.

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

People who develop resistance to antibiotics can face increased risk if they experience infections related to other medical procedures, such as joint replacements, organ transplants and diabetes treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

An alternative treatment for chronic sinusitis sufferers is balloon sinuplasty, which is typically recommended after other treatments for this condition have proven ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There’s no cutting involved and no removal of bones or tissue, according to Healthline.

If you're interested in learning more about the symptoms of sinusitis or allergies, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.