Probably the main reason people turn to antibiotics is for treatment of their sinus infections. Next to the common cold, it is likely the main reason for most people’s discomfort. Medical treatment is often fast acting and effective but considering the growing number of people who are building up a tolerance to some drugs, it may lead many people to wonder if taking sinus infection antibiotics and medications is really the smart way to go. The answer to that question depends largely on the root cause of your sinus infection and whether or not you have any alternative options for sinus infection treatment that are fast acting and effective.
Why Your Doctor May Prescribe Antibiotics:
While there may be alternative treatments for your sinus infection, it would help to know what your doctor may be thinking when he writes your prescription form. He may be looking at a combination of symptoms that could be more harmful than you realize. For example, in cases where children have runny noses that last longer than two weeks, or you have a congestion that is accompanied by a high fever, swelling or pain around the eyes and face, or if your symptoms have not improved on their own after trying alternative treatments, he may feel it necessary to try stronger treatments like antibiotics. If you’re wondering why your doctor is prescribing sinus infection antibiotics and medications don’t hesitate to ask. Chances are it is because the condition is not improving through less aggressive methods or the infection is so severe that natural remedies are proving ineffective.
What Happens If You Don’t Take Antibiotics?
If your sinus infection is severe and the doctor prescribes antibiotics you may still have reservations. However, it’s important to understand that in cases of chronic sinusitis where the patient may suffer symptoms for several months at a time, complications could arise that can extend to other health problems. These include forming abscesses, bone infections, meningitis, and infection of the orbital cellulite (the area around the eye). While these additional complications could become very unpleasant some could become life threatening.
Most people recognize that sinus infections are just a natural part of life and in most cases they will go away on their own. As soon as the trigger is removed or eliminated, the body has the natural ability to self correct and recover quickly from the infection. Ideally, your first course of treatment should be by using natural remedies to relieve the pressure. However, if the condition does not improve within a reasonable amount of time, it is necessary to get medical help. Without it, the condition could continue to worsen, blocking the airways and spreading the infection to other parts of the body. When that happens it may be necessary to take a stronger approach to treatment by using sinus infection antibiotics and medications prescribed by your doctor. While taking antibiotics may be a drastic move in many cases of chronic sinus infection where the condition has been resistant to everything else, it may be the only reasonable option that you have.
