Posted on 02/27/2024 10:31:23 AM PST by ConservativeMind
According to the National Institutes for Health, chronic sinusitis, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), affects approximately 14.6% of the United States population and is currently the fifth most common condition treated with antibiotics, accounting for up to 22 million physician visits and costing as much as $5 billion annually.
New research examines the incidence of people suffering from allergy symptoms who actually have CRS, a finding that could impact how those symptoms are treated.
Sedaghat said, "Despite their common clinical symptoms, however, nasal allergies and CRS in many ways have different treatments."
The study included 219 participants whose main complaint was nasal allergies. From all participants, a 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test was collected to measure the severity of sinus/nasal symptoms, and an endoscopy score was calculated from nasal endoscopy.
Although 91.3% of the participants had environmental allergies; 45.2% were also diagnosed with CRS. Approximately half of the patients with CRS reported no intranasal corticosteroid usage, the preferred treatment option for CRS.
The misinterpretation of CRS for allergic rhinitis may lead to patients using AR treatments, which may be ineffective for CRS and, therefore, prolong the impact on the patient.
"We have seen so many patients suffer for so long due to the confusion between allergies and CRS," says Sedaghat. "I've had patients who tell me that they have been treated with allergy shots for 10, 20, or more years without relief of their symptoms but who after we discovered they had CRS and we started them on appropriate treatment, achieved relief within a few months.
The study results suggest specific counseling of individual patients to consider the possibility of CRS when their nasal obstruction or discharge symptoms reach a moderate or greater level of severity or if they notice any degree of decreased sense of smell.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Infection, growths in the sinuses, called nasal polyps, and swelling of the lining of the sinuses might all be part of chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is also called chronic rhinosinusitis. The condition affects adults and children.I have the opposite problem -- overactive chronic drainage
If inflammation from the immune system is not the cause, then what is?
Low level bacterial infection in my case, which I mistook for allergies. The go to treatment recommended by doctors is Flonase or varients. Had little effect on me. A few days of Augmentin got me back to normal. YMMV of course, and Augmentin can’t be used by everyone. In my case I feel normal for the first time in 3 months or so.
I use Flonase daily which helps. In the past I have gotten two sinus infections a year which had to be treated with Augmentin, a very potent drug. When I have the actual sinus infection I am stuffed up and light headed.
I started using a saline solution, Arm & Hammer, daily and have not had a sinus infection for a year and a half. Saline solution is pretty much an alternate for using a nettie pot to clear sinuses. It is easier to use, though, since one does not have warm distilled water to use in a nettie pot.
“If inflammation from the immune system is not the cause, then what is?”
That’s my question too...as well as “what’s the effective treatment?”
I’ve got CRS, and thus far inhaled corticosteroids, systemic steroids, nasal washes, and antihistamines have made little-to-no difference. A head/neck surgeon suggested that a functional rhinoplasty to enlarge the airway might be useful.
Oh, that sounds very unpleasant.......
That’s good.
Glad it worked out for you.
Sometimes people deal with health issues where the medical community cannot find the cause and you’re just stuck.
I wonder how much of this sudden newsworthiness might be thanks to CoupFlu related anosmia...
Sleep apnea produces local (and systemic) inflammation, tons of it. Treatment (e.g. apap) does much to resolve the issue (although it takes a while).
“Oh, that sounds very unpleasant.......”
Most definitely...for at least the past 10 years. Along with the tinnitus I developed 4 months ago, they’re constant tormenters.
bkmk
The treatment sounds like no fun either.
I’ve been having problems with tinnitus as well. Annoying most of the time but it is beginning to interfere with my ability to hear very soft or quiet sounds.
+1
A sinus rinse - such as Arm & Hammer or Doctor Neil Med - (not just a sinus spray!) is extremely effective and need not be done all that often to see good results.
+1
Yes ma’am!
I’ve been dealing with sinusitis for over 20 years.
Medicine, surgeries, diet - nothing works.
You just deal with it!
Life sometimes is...hard.....
But The Lord gives His Grace and I praise Him for it.
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