Living With CRSwNP

CRSwNP is a chronic condition that can significantly impact your physical health, sense of smell, and overall quality of life.¹ The condition can be managed with a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and possible surgeries, but rarely cured.² It is important to communicate with your care team about what symptoms bother you most and your goals for treatment.¹

Many patients report that CRSwNP symptoms interfere with their quality of life. For example, symptoms can lead to sleep disruption, fatigue, anxiety, and depression⁸. Additionally, CRSwNP symptoms can impact concentration, productivity, and the ability to fully participate in work and recreational activities.⁸

Patients with CRSwNP may also have other related medical conditions that affect their quality of life and CRSwNP treatment. For example, an estimated 65% of patients with CRSwNP also have asthma^7,8. Other diseases that can be associated with CRSwNP include allergic rhinitis, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.²

Most patients with CRSwNP have an established nasal hygiene routine that may include daily nasal saline irrigation². Many devices such as squeeze bottles and neti pots are available to assist with irrigation². You can make your own saltwater solution or purchase one according to your doctor’s recommendations.²

Saline irrigation helps to flush out mucus, debris, and other irritants from the nasal passages and can help reduce symptoms without medication.² Make sure to use distilled, sterilized, or boiled water to avoid infection.^2,3

References

Ramkumar SP, Lal D, Miglani A. Considerations for shared decision-making in treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Front Allergy. 2023;4:1137907.
Buccheit K, Holbrook, E. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: management and prognosis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyposis-management-and-prognosis
deShazo R, Kemp, S. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pharmacotherapy-of-allergic-rhinitis
Sleep disorder icon. https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/sleep-disorder_10242941
Stressed icon. https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/stressed_9467469
Fatigue icon. https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/fatigue_3736108
Bachert C, Bhattacharyya N, Desrosiers M, Khan AH. Burden of disease in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Asthma Allergy. 2021;14:127-134.
Mullol J, Azar A, Buchheit KM, Hopkins C, Bernstein JA. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: quality of life in the biologics era. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10:1434-1453.e9.