THE LINK BETWEEN CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS, ALLERGY AND ASTHMA

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis is the inflammation of the nose and paranasal
sinuses characterized by two or more symptoms, one of which should be either nasal congestion or nasal discharge, but also including other symptoms such as facial pain or pressure, reduction or loss of smell; and either endoscopic signs of nasal polyps or mucus and pus discharged primarily from the middle meatus, or CT scan showing mucosal changes within the sinuses. Patients with symptoms present for more than twelve weeks are classified as having chronic rhinosinusitis, and can be with or without nasal polyps. Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the most common diseases. The many potential etiologies for CRS include bacteria, fungi, superantigens, allergy, and aspirin hypersensitivity and is characterized by a chronic eosinophilic inflammation that links rhinosinusitis and asthma.