A full life with Chronic Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)
Because life with CRSwNP can be unpredictable, it helps to know how it may affect you.
That way, you can work with your doctore to create a treatment plan that's tailored to you. CRSwNP shouldn't stop you enjoying life to the full.
Experiencing complications
CRSwNP may bring some additional health challenges, so it's important to speak to your doctor and address them promptly.
Sinus infections
Ongoing inflammation in your sinuses can increase the risk of sinus infections. These can cause facial pain, pressuer, nasal congestion and discharge.
Asthma
When your CRSwNP, your asthma may be more difficult to control and more prone to flare-ups, with increase blockage of the airways. You may need to speak with your doctor about the dose of your asthma medications.
Severe obstruction
In severe cases, if nasal polyps are left untreated, they can grow large enough to obstruct the airway. This makes it difficult to breathe and smell, and also increases the risk of sleep disturbance.
Your nasal polyps may come back after surgery (recurrence)
You might think that removing your polyps will mean an end to all your CRSwNP symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Even after surgery, your nasal polyps could and often do come back months or years later.
The reason why recurrence happens is that surgery removed the growths in your nose, but it doesn’t tackle a potential cause of CRSwNP: Type 2 inflammation.
There are several treatments that may be prescribed before or after surgery to prevent your nasal polyps from coming back including:
- Intranasal corticosteroids
- Non-steroudal andti-inflammatories (e.g aspirin)
- Biologics
Biologics can treat the Type 2 inflammation that causes your CRSwNP
Looking after your mental health and well-being
Dealing with the symptoms of a chronic condition like CRSwNP can take its toll. It's a condition that's largerly unknown and often misunderstood, which can be quite isolating. Feeling ill for an extended period of time can have a knock-on effect on your quality of life and how you feel.
If you are struggling to sleep or dealing with frustrating symptoms every day, it may affect your mental and physical health. It could also impact your personal relationships, your ability to work or your enjoyment of simple things like exercising or playing with your kids.
Check your symptoms
Our handy symptom checker can help you assess whether your CRSwNP is under control. It's a simple quesitonnaire that asks you about your symptoms and how they're affecting you. You can then share your results with your doctor so you get the right treatment and care for you.
50% of people living with CRSwNP experience distrupted sleep
Not being able to sleep properly may increase anxiety and depression, or leave you feeling tired and unable to concentrate, which can interfere with your work and other areas of your life.
1 in 4 living with CRSwNP say their condition significantly impacts their emotional and mental health.
Because the symptoms of CRSwNP (e.g. nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, facial pain) can be persistent, they may affect your quality of life and well-being.