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Type 2 inflammation and nasal polyps
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Why nasal polyps may recur after treatment
Woman blows her nose while a thought bubble full of question marks floats above her head
GRAPHIC:
Nasal polyps
SUPER:
4 out of 10 will get polyps again after surgery
Narrator: Nasal polyps are a type of growth in the nose or sinuses. They are not carcinogenic but can interfere with sleep and cause nasal congestion, loss of smell and taste, headaches and other symptoms.
Often these symptoms can be severe and affect your quality of life. When this happens, patients often need treatment or even surgery to remove them.
Unfortunately, nasal polyps can recur even after surgery.
In fact, studies show that nasal polyps recur in 4 out of 10 people who undergo surgery to remove them.
SUPER:
What is Type 2 Inflammation?
Cartoon cells with swords chasing cartoon germs
Why do nasal polyps often come back? It has a lot to do with type 2 inflammation.
In a type 2 immune response, your immune system sends out type 2 immune cells that produce inflammation to fight infections or allergens.
Cartoon cells rushing around with swords and chasing nothing (no germs)
SUPER:
Inflammation type 2 = common cause of nasal polyps
A little inflammation can be a good thing because it stimulates the healing process.
However, in some people, the type 2 immune response occurs when there are no invaders to fight – instead, healthy cells are damaged. This is called type 2 inflammation.
Many cases of nasal polyps are related to type 2 inflammation.
Woman mows lawn
SUPER:
Type 2 Inflammation = Why Polyps Often Come Back
Treating nasal polyps is similar to mowing the lawn. You can cut your grass, but it will always grow back because it is fertilized.
When it comes to nasal polyps, type 2 inflammation is like the fertilizer that causes them to recur.
Woman uses nasal spray
Woman sitting on the operating table in a hospital gown
SUPER:
Steroids and surgery cannot stop chronic inflammation
Nasal steroids temporarily relieve swelling in the nose and surgery removes polyps.
But none of these common treatments address the underlying problem: type 2 inflammation.
Cartoon cells chasing and hitting type 2 inflammation (could be cartoon guys wearing type 2 sashes)
SUPER:
Systemic treatments target type 2 inflammation
Systemic treatments such as biologics for nasal polyps work on the entire body, not just the nose. They work by fighting different types of inflammation – including type 2.
Woman breathes deeply through her nose and smiles
SUPER
Systemic treatments can prevent polyps from recurring
This means that systemic treatments may be a good option for people who have tried steroids and surgery without success. And they can prevent polyps from coming back after treatment.
Smiling woman walks past the lawnmower in the garden and takes a walk
Treating nasal polyps without treating type 2 inflammation is like getting stuck in a lawn mowing loop.
Talk to your doctor about treatments that not only cut the grass but also stop the fertilizer – so you can finally become polyp-free.
