Smell loss is a common and debilitating condition worldwide, without a cure.
We plan to change that.
Chronic rhinosinusitis affects up to 12% of the population significantly impacting quality of life.
We plan to understand and hopefully find a cure.
The health of our environment impacts the health of our nose, sinuses, and the way we breathe.
We hope to raise awareness to spur change with evidence.
What is
Chronic Rhinosinusitis?
An inflammatory disease that effects the nose and sinuses causing significant problems with breathing, smell, and the ability to have a normal quality of life.
Who does it affect?
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide affecting 5-12% of the adult population and significantly affects quality of life. CRS is diagnosed by both symptoms for at least 3 months and objective findings.
Symptoms
Patients often have difficulty breathing through their nose, loss of smell, drainage, and facial pressure or pain. These symptoms often last 3 months or more.
Treatments
The mainstays of current treatment for CRS are topical therapies such as saline irrigations and topical nasal steroid sprays. Oral steroids can be helpful for acute exacerbations but often result in significant side effects. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can be an effective strategy for restoring normal sinus function and allowing for better access for topical therapies. Surgery is often not a curative solution but complimentary to topical therapies. Biologic therapies have just begun to be developed and approved for treatment of CRS with nasal polyps.
Research
Why does CRS occur?
How can we reverse the “memory” of the cells in the sinus lining to achieve a cure?
What are the different types of CRS?
What are the environmental contributors to CRS?
How can we more accurately measure smell?
How can we restore the sense of smell?