Tag Archives: antibiotic resistance
CDC: Let’s Rein in the Misuse of Antibiotics
Antibiotics have undoubtedly been a breakthrough for humanity. They are the principal reason that severe coughs, sore throats, and injuries are no longer fatal in most cases. And they have proven easy to make and easy to use, lending an essential convenience to the process of treating infections. But antibiotics can also be a source … Continue reading CDC: Let’s Rein in the Misuse of Antibiotics
View More >>A Measured Discussion on Treating Sinusitis with Antibiotics
It has become something of an article of faith in recent years that we have a real and growing problem with unnecessarily prescribing antibiotics in this country. ENTs such as myself are often fingered as the biggest culprits – overzealous and under cautious, writing scripts willy nilly in the hopes of avoiding unlikely complications down … Continue reading A Measured Discussion on Treating Sinusitis with Antibiotics
View More >>Antibiotics Are a Double-Edged Sword
Antibiotic resistance is a real and growing danger, albeit one whose worst trends have been tempered somewhat as the public is awakening to the threat. But lost in the conversation about overprescription and resistance, is the discussion about where and why this problem seems to be most deeply rooted in doctor practice. Harvard Health recently … Continue reading Antibiotics Are a Double-Edged Sword
View More >>The Pros and Cons of Antibiotics for Sinus Infection
One of the drumbeats you hear frequently in these pages is that antibiotics are being grossly overprescribed. Study after study bear this out, supporting the notion that we are creating a significant and irreversible health crisis by doing so. Consumer Reports recently weighed in, offering a clean and succinct set of reasons why overprescription is such … Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Antibiotics for Sinus Infection
View More >>Another Blow for Sinus Infection Antibiotics
It has been a ringing bell for some time: the slow alarm about the danger of overprescribing antibiotics for ENT ailments. Now there is new ammunition to support sinus doctors such as myself who favor a more conservative approach: a definitive set of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Inappropriate use of … Continue reading Another Blow for Sinus Infection Antibiotics
View More >>Sinusitis and Antibiotics By the Numbers
The principal problem with antibiotic prescriptions in this country is that they are often dispensed on a preventive basis. Viewed on the level of each individual doctor, it isn’t hard to see the logic in this choice: “Just in case” can seem like an innocuous phrase, especially when placed next to words like “infection” or … Continue reading Sinusitis and Antibiotics By the Numbers
View More >>Abysmal Rate of Best Practices for Sinusitis
We have been here before: discussing the broad overprescription of antibiotics “just in case” within America’s urgent care clinics, primary care practices, and yes, even among ENTs. It’s not getting much better. The latest discouraging data comes from this study, which found that less than a third of patient visits resulted in conservative, evidence-based care: … Continue reading Abysmal Rate of Best Practices for Sinusitis
View More >>Sinusitis, Sinus Infection Scripts Still Driving Antibiotic Resistance
A growing alarm has alerted many millions of Americans to the dangers of overprescribing antibiotics. These days a number of journalistic outlets have begun covering the problem in some depth, and a few of them rightly single out ENTs who reflexively reach for the pad immediately for any number of upper respiratory issues: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/4316837400001/ As … Continue reading Sinusitis, Sinus Infection Scripts Still Driving Antibiotic Resistance
View More >>Further Reading on Antibiotics for Sinus Symptoms
I have said it before in this space: antibiotics are a hot topic in sinus medicine, and everyone should be paying attention. The simple fact is that too many people are taking too many antibiotics which are unlikely to improve their health – and might, in fact, make things worse in the long term. New … Continue reading Further Reading on Antibiotics for Sinus Symptoms
View More >>Treating Sinusitis Without Antibiotics
It has long been a source of some debate in ENT circles: to prescribe, or to wait. Antibiotic resistance is a grave and growing threat to human health, and the overprescription of antibiotics is one of the principal reasons why. ENTs are among the biggest perpetrators of overprescription, which is why it is necessary to … Continue reading Treating Sinusitis Without Antibiotics
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