You may hear doctors use terms like sinusitis and nasal polyps. Are nasal polyps the same as sinusitis? The answer is that nasal polyps are distinct from sinusitis, but often these two conditions are present together, called chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Some people can have nasal polyps without having sinusitis and vice versa. Find out more about nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis along with the common and rare conditions that are associated with them.

What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)?

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) occurs when nasal polyps become large enough to cause problems with your sinuses. It can affect anyone, but it is most commonly found in adults, people with asthma or allergies, and people with sensitivity to aspirin. It is very difficult to treat CRSwNP because it can associated with many issues. There are many treatment options available for people with CRSwNP, so it is best to consult with a rhinologist who specializes in treating this condition, like Dr. Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH.

What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are grape-shaped growths that appear in the nose and cause your sinuses to become plugged. When nasal polyps become very large, it may cause problems with your ability to breathe normally through your nose. When multiple nasal polyps and sinus inflammation occur together, doctors call it chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). People with nasal polyps can have nasal obstruction, smell loss, and thick postnasal drip. They may also feel a lot of pressure on their faces or their noses.

What is Chronic Sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis causes swelling of the sinus cavities, which are openings to help your skull to be lighter and protect your brain from external pressures when a person is hurt. When you have sinusitis, the immune system releases chemicals to try to protect your body, but that can cause problems such as chronic congestion, thick drainage, and headaches. Chronic sinusitis is not always an infection. Sinusitis can be caused by inflammation due to allergies, irritants, and pollutants as well.

Conclusion

If you have been diagnosed with nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis, you might wonder what the difference is between these two troublesome diagnoses. Nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis are different conditions, but chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease that occurs when the polyps inside of your nose become very large and cause blockage and inflammation of the sinuses, which greatly impacts a person's life. Associated with allergies, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity (AERD), CRSNP can be difficult treat, so you should consider seeing a sinus specialist experienced at managing it.

If you have been dealing with nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis lately, it might be time to book an appointment with a sinus specialist like Dr. Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH. to make sure that you get the proper treatment. Dr. Higgins is a fellowship-trained sinus surgeon and rhinologist who runs the premier sinus clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. You can call him at 502-894-8441 or contact him online!

Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH

Father. Husband. Sinusitis Nerd.