North Baltimore Journal

• Overusing antibiotics has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases.
• People who develop resistance to antibiotics can face increased risk if they experience infections related to other medical procedures.
• Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis.

Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for chronic sinusitis, but they carry certain risks, and alternative treatments are available for those suffering from sinus issues. According to Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free, antibiotics are something patients and doctors need to be cautious with. 

“The more infections you have, the more antibiotics that are prescribed, the more bacterial resistance you have. So we're to the point where the antibiotics no longer work. You're developing what's called bacterial resistance,” Dr. Oberman told the North Baltimore Journal. “Bacteria are smart microbes that are able to develop and adapt to what technology and medicine have developed, including antibiotics, and they develop means to become resistant to those antibiotics.”

People suffering from sinusitis may experience symptoms including congestion, facial pain, headaches, toothaches, nasal drainage, a reduced ability to smell, fever, and bad breath, according to NHS Inform. Individuals experiencing symptoms lasting for over one week are advised to consult a physician. An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist may suggest using a saline solution, over-the-counter medication, or prescribe antibiotics or a corticosteroid spray. If these treatments fail to alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis, the ENT specialist may also advise sinus surgery.

According to WebMD, approximately 90% of adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis in the United States—a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks—are prescribed antibiotics. A sinus infection lasting for more than 12 weeks is called chronic sinusitis.

An article published by the Mayo Clinic reports that up to one-third to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is unnecessary or inappropriate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Cleveland Clinic highlights that numerous sinus infections may stem from viral causes. It's important to note that antibiotics are ineffective at treating viral infections. Overusing antibiotics or needlessly employing them to address viral infections can cause unnecessary side effects and cause patients to develop antibiotic resistance, potentially making future infections more challenging to treat.

According to Frederick Breathe Free's website, Dr. Jamie Oberman earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College. He pursued graduate studies at Tufts Medical School through the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program. After completing medical school, he had a career in the Navy until his retirement in 2017, when he transitioned to comprehensive Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medicine.