HEALTH MATTERS
Do Your Allergies Seem Out of
Control? Check the Signs for
Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Article by BrandPointContent
(BPT) - Summer is nearly upon us. The warm weather leads to flowers blooming, luscious green grass, and verdant trees. Unfortunately, for those with seasonal allergies, the picture is not as lovely, with visions of a spike in pollen, stuffy noses, congestion, facial pain and tenderness, decreased smell and taste, and sinus infections. For most people suffering from seasonal allergies, relief is found with over-the-counter and prescription medications, allowing them to enjoy the sunshine and smell the flowers. However, if the condition lingers or becomes more severe, you could be the 1 in 7 people in the United States battling chronic sinus infections. 1
More than 30 million Americans experience the pain and discomfort of chronic sinus infections, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).1 Unlike acute sinus infections, CRS is unresolved, with severe inflammation of the sinuses lasting for more than 12 weeks.1 Several factors are associated with the potential development of CRS, including infection, growths in the sinuses known as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, abnormal anatomy of the sinuses, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or regular exposure to pollutants
such as cigarette smoke.2,4
Signs and symptoms of CRS include at least two of the following:1
Difficulty breathing through the nose due to nasal obstruction or congestionReduced sense of smell and tasteThick, discolored discharge from the nose or drainage down the back of the throatPain, tenderness and swelling around the eyes, nose, or faceThe pain from CRS can be agonizing. It can affect nasal function, impair health and diminish quality of life - most individuals with CRS report a lower quality of life than individuals with chronic back pain or even congestive heart failure.3 In addition to the unrelenting pain, CRS also has a financial impact - directly costing society more than $4.3 billion annually.3
If you are unable to find relief from the pain and congestion of CRS with over-the-counter or prescribed drug therapies, you should see your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or primary care physician