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Before the pandemic, talking about

was rare.

However, this particular symptom of Covid has gone from being the great unknown to becoming a

.

Now that

we must not forget that there are people who live with this difficulty throughout their lives, without a virus being responsible.

The origin may be in an unpronounceable disease called chronic rhinosinusitis with

polyposis (polyposis, for friends).

It is, perhaps,

.

Numbers: incidence and prevalence of allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis

While

(the WHO considers it one of the six diseases that most frequently affect the population),

and the worldwide prevalence is between 0.2% and 4.3%.

Apparently it doesn't affect everyone equally, and boys get the worst of it

).

Regarding age, it usually appears

(the average age for debut is 42 years old).

What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and what are the symptoms of nasal polyposis?

Although the diagnosis should always be carried out by a specialist,

to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal obstruction, intense and irritating cough, itchy nose, watery nasal discharge, conjunctivitis or itchy eyes.

For its part, living with

is like

.

They are patients who have a headache, do not breathe well, and have nasal congestion that makes it

impacting their personal, family and work life.

Loss of smell can be one of the key symptoms in the differential diagnosis.

If someone has

and

that affects their

to the point of insomnia, we may be talking about polyposis.

However, if the symptoms are more related to an itchy nose, conjunctivitis or sneezing, it is more likely to be allergic rhinitis.

Is it possible to confuse Covid with polyposis?

Although these are pathologies that have nothing to do with it,

that can confuse some people.

As an anecdote, there are specialists who comment that some patients come to the clinic today worried about the

, assuming that they suffer from persistent covid, and what they discover is that they suffer from nasal polyposis.

Knowing the cause of anosmia is essential

to establish the appropriate treatment.

Because yes, fortunately, there is hope for these patients.

Allergic rhinitis VS nasal polyposis, how is it diagnosed?

In the first place

.

In cases of

or moderate-severe rhinitis, it is advisable to confirm the suspicion through an allergological study, with prick-test skin tests or by determining specific IgE.

Regarding

, being graphic, we can imagine that polyps are like

.

Therefore, in this case, in addition to the clinical history, a physical examination (nasal endoscopy) and additional tests, such as computed tomography of the nasal sinuses, tests for allergy, obstruction, nasal inflammation and olfactometry, will be important. .

Living without smell, a handicap and a risk

Smell is one of our five senses that, among other things, transmits sensations and alerts us to possible dangers.

A

(such as in the hotel industry or in the cosmetic sector) or expose themselves to serious dangers by not detecting, for example, the smoke of something that we have left neglected in the kitchen or a gas leak. .

Unfortunately,

.

The good news is that today there are alternatives to treat it.

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