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crs-faqs

Back FAQs The FAQs are designed to cover more in-depth questions, particularly interesting if your condition is long-standing. If you have any questions that remain unanswered after going through this portal and FAQs,  don’t hesitate to contact our Team at contact@euforea.eu. Please note that we can’t take any personal questions.   About CRS What is chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)? Inflammation is the body’s reaction to things like germs and irritants such as foreign objects or chemicals. When inflammation affects the inside lining of the nose and spreads to the sinuses, it is called rhinosinusitis. Sinuses are the air-filled spaces around the nose. Common symptoms of rhinosinusitis include nasal blockage or stuffiness, reduced/loss of smell,  nasal pressure or pain in the face, and mucus that drips out of the front part of the nose or into the back of the throat. When the symptoms of rhinosinusitis are present for more than 12 weeks, it is considered CRS. CRS can present with or without nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous growths in the nose and/or sinuses that can cause symptoms and interfere with your daily life. To date, it remains unclear why some patients with CRS develop nasal polyps and others do not. The form of CRS with nasal polyps is also referred to as Nasal Polyp Syndrome. Is CRS inherited? CRS with nasal polyps runs in families but also CRS without nasal polyps has been observed in family members, strongly suggesting that a hereditary (=genetic) factor contributes to the disease. However, studies in identical twins showed that both siblings will not necessarily develop nasal polyps, which emphasises the additional and important role of non-hereditary, environmental factors. Why do I have sinuses? Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones of your face and skull that are covered with a thin moist layer of mucus. The nose and sinuses fulfil an important role in filtering, heating and moistening the air that we breathe through the nose. This is important to protect your lungs. The sinuses also contribute to the resonance of your voice, affecting how we sound when we speak. Moreover, the sinuses also absorb energy (“act as a cushion”) to protect our brain when we have an accident. How many people have CRS? Around 10% of people have CRS. For Europe, this is roughly equivalent to the entire population of Spain. In some areas of Europe, the percentage of people affected by the disease is even higher. What is the difference between chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis? When the inner lining of the nose becomes inflamed and the inflammation also extends to the nearby sinuses, it is called “rhinosinusitis“. Although the terms “sinusitis” and “rhinosinusitis” are often used interchangeably, rhinosinusitis more accurately describes the condition affecting both the nose and the sinuses. However, both terms are used to describe the same condition. Does CRS progress when I get older? CRS can change as you grow up. In kids, it is usually milder, and nasal polyps (soft, painless growths in the nose or sinuses) do not happen often unless the child has a condition like cystic fibrosis. For adults, CRS with nasal polyps can get worse if it is not treated. Over time, the polyps can grow bigger and press on the bones in the face, sometimes even changing how the face looks. Another sign that the condition is getting worse is when asthma symptoms start to show up. These include feeling out of breath, wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, or bringing up mucus from your chest. If these things happen, it is a good idea to tell your doctor. Can CRS be cured? CRS typically cannot be completely cured, but its symptoms can often be managed and controlled with treatment. The condition involves long-term inflammation of the sinuses which can be challenging to treat. The underlying causes of the inflammation vary and may include infections, allergies, structural abnormalities in the nose, or issues with the immune system. Usually, the disease becomes less severe after 60 years of age.   Causes of CRS What causes CRS? Although still not fully understood, CRS is probably caused by a combination of different factors that together contribute to the development of the disease. It is believed to be an interaction between personal traits (including your genetic code) and factors in the environment, such as air pollution, exposure to cigarette smoke or allergens. This interaction leads to a long-lasting inflammation in the sinuses and nasal cavity. Is CRS caused by bacteria or viruses? Inflammation is the major cause of CRS. Inflammation can be caused/increased by many factors like infections with bacteria and viruses, smoking, air-pollution and allergens. The inflammation causes thickening of the inner lining of the nose and sinuses, production of mucus and sometimes polyps, which causes the symptoms of CRS. It is important to understand that CRS is not just an “infection that won’t clear”. Many bacteria and fungi normally live in our sinuses, whether a person suffers from sinus disease or not. While the presence of bacteria and viruses can contribute to inflammation, simply killing the bacteria with antibiotics does not cure the condition. Instead, the disease likely results from a combination of different factors, including the impact from the environment and your genetics. This together produces the long-lasting inflammation that is typical in CRS. Is CRS caused by my allergy? The importance of allergy as a contributing factor to CRS is not fully understood. Allergies are more common among people with CRS than they are among people in the general population. This is especially true for year-round allergies to for example moulds or house dust mites. Allergies that are poorly controlled can contribute to a worsening of CRS symptoms. Additionally, it appears that allergic patients get severe and recurrent CRS more often. Allergy also frequently co-exists with asthma, which further contributes to the complexity. I think my CRS started when I inhaled some water/chemical/gas/smell via my nose at work. Is that possible? Yes, it is possible. Breathing in certain

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