Asthma and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: How
One Condition Can
Worsen the Other
Article by BPT Website
HEALTH MATTERS
(BPT) - If you live with asthma and struggle with chronic sinus problems, the two conditions may be more connected than you think. Chronic rhinosinusitis is long-term swelling of the nose and sinus passages that lasts for 12 weeks or more. It causes ongoing congestion, facial pain or pressure, postnasal drip and difficulty with sense of smell.
Sometimes chronic rhinosinusitis can cause small growths in the nose called nasal polyps. These are soft, painless, noncancerous lumps. Globally, about 5-12% of people live with chronic rhinosinusitis, and up to 30% of them also develop nasal polyps. When both conditions are present, it's called chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).
How does CRSwNP affect asthma?
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps can worsen asthma. The nose, sinuses and lungs are part of a "united airway." Any inflammation in the upper airways can trigger asthma symptoms and flare-ups in the lower airways. Polyps can also disrupt airflow.
Due to the chronic nature of the conditions, people with CRSwNP and asthma tend to struggle with worse quality of life.
What causes CRSwNP?
The exact cause of CRSwNP is not fully understood, but several factors contribute to its development. Sinuses and nasal passages are lined with a protective mucosal barrier that blocks germs and irritants. In people with CRSwNP, this barrier is weakened. When microbes and irritants get through, they can trigger long-lasting inflammation in the sinuses. Over time, this constant inflammation can change the structure of sinus tissue, leading to the growth of nasal polyps.
People with both CRSwNP and asthma may also have high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and/or eosinophils in their body.
* IgE is a protein in your blood that helps fight germs. In some patients, it can cause allergic reactions.
* Eosinophils are white blood cells that