NW LA Times

• 90% of acute sinusitis patients in the US are prescribed antibiotics.
• The overuse of antibiotics can lead to a multitude of health complications.
• If your sinusitis is at the point of needing excessive antibiotics, there are other treatment options available that can fix the problem permanently.

Patients oftentimes use antibiotics to treat their sinus issues, but it's crucial to keep in mind that misusing them could lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free said antibiotic resistance can lead to risky situations.

"There's already significant amounts of antibiotic immunity and resistance," said Dr. Matt Hershcovitch. "The bacteria develop this resistance because of the overuse of antibiotics. The problem that occurs is that when you have one of these highly resistant bacteria that then starts growing very fast, growing very aggressively in the sinuses, you end up with very few tools at your disposal to treat this problem."

According to WebMD, approximately 90% of adults in the United States who receive a diagnosis of acute sinusitis, defined as a sinus infection lasting less than 4 weeks, are prescribed antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, is characterized by a sinus infection lasting for more than 12 weeks. Symptoms commonly associated with sinus infections encompass nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort, and nasal drainage.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has connected the excessive use of antibiotics to alterations in a patient's gut microbiota, potentially raising the likelihood of chronic ailments like cardiovascular disease and cancer. The report emphasizes that the overuse of antibiotics may also pose a potential hazard for premature mortality.

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 CDC.

For patients on the verge of overusing antibiotics, there are minimally invasive treatment options that can be performed in an office setting, such as balloon sinus dilation. According to Nuffield Health, balloon sinus dilation is a safe and effective, minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address sinusitis. During the process, doctors insert a guide wire attached to a small balloon into the nostrils and guide it to the area of blockage, where it is gently inflated to open the sinuses. Patients typically experience a recovery time of one to two days.