Rhinosinusitis and Bronchiectasis Often Occur Together

Are you tired of battling constant sinus infections and a stuffy nose? You're not alone.
Over 60% of people with bronchiectasis (BE) also experience Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS), according to Australian researcher and cardiopulmonary physiotherapist Annemarie Lee. There's even more to the story: Almost 100% of individuals who have BE with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and immunodeficiencies also have CRS.

It makes perfect sense that upper and lower respiratory conditions often occur together. They share the same mucosal lining, allowing bacteria-filled secretions from the upper airways to drain into the lower airways (some suggest this movement might even be bi-directional). With this connection in mind, treating existing sinusitis becomes a crucial step in reducing inflammation and infection in the lungs.

My personal journey with nasal issues began well before my bronchiectasis diagnosis. Twenty years ago, I sought help from an ENT doctor for my drippy nose and hoarseness. He ran a battery of allergy tests, but everything came back negative. He recommended a nasal wash and spray. The spray, ipratropium bromide, did the trick, and I still use it most mornings. I also rely on Simply Saline nasal spray by Arm and Hammer and occasionally perform a nasal wash with a NeilMed Squeezie.

I favor this particular device over the standard NeilMed bottle because of its wide mouth, which allows for easy cleaning with a soft brush and more effective sterilization in my steam sterilizer.

Do you struggle with chronic nasal problems? Who do you see for care – a specialist or your GP? How do these ongoing nasal issues impact your well-being?

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Share your experiences in the comments below! We can learn a lot from each other.
#bronchiectasis #rhinosinusitis #nasalpolyps #nasalissues #sinusheadaches