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Back A Acoustic rhinometry: A test that uses harmless sound waves inside your nose to measure how open (or blocked) your nasal passages are.Acute: A term describing a health condition or set of symptoms that starts suddenly and typically lasts for a short time. In the context of rhinosinusitis, “acute” means symptoms have been present for less than 12 weeks.Allergen: A substance (like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander) that can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): An allergic reaction in the nose that can make you sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, and have itchy/watery eyes. Often triggered by pollen, dust mites, or pets.Anterior: Means “toward the front.” For example, the front part of the nose or sinus passages is referred to as the anterior region.Anterior rhinoscopy: A quick exam where a doctor looks into the front part of your nose using a special tool (nasal speculum) to check for swelling, irritation, or nasal polyps.Anterior rhinomanometry: A test measuring how easily air moves through your nose to see if the nasal passages are blocked.Anti-inflammatory: A term for medicines (like corticosteroids) or actions (like rinsing with salt water) that reduce swelling, redness, or irritation in the body.Antibiotics: Medicines used to kill or slow down the growth of bacteria. Sometimes prescribed for sinus infections, but not always useful in chronic sinus inflammation.Asthma: A lung condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe. People with CRS often have asthma too.Autoimmune disorders: Conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, thinking they are harmful.   B Biologics: Special medicines given by injection that target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation. Used when other options haven’t worked and after a specialist has made a detailed assessment of your condition.   C Cellulitis: A skin infection that causes redness, swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected area. Although rare, a severe sinus infection in CRS can sometimes spread into the tissues around the sinuses or eyes, leading to cellulitis.Chest symptoms: Issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in the chest—often linked with lung conditions like asthma or COPD.Chronic: Means something that lasts a long time (often three months or more) or keeps coming back.Chronic cough: A cough that does not go away and lasts for at least three weeks.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A long-term lung disease (often linked to smoking or polluted air) where airways and tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged, causing breathing difficulties.Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS): A condition defined by long-lasting inflammation inside the nose and sinuses, causing symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, loss of smell, and facial pain.Comorbidities: Other conditions or diseases that occur at the same time as the main condition. For example, many people with CRS also have asthma or allergies.Complication: An unexpected, sometimes serious, problem that arises because of an existing condition or its progression. For example, a severe sinus infection spreading to the eye area could be considered a complication.CT scan: An imaging test that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your body (in this case, your sinuses) to see how swollen they are or if there are any blockages.Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It can sometimes lead to more severe forms of sinus disease in children.   D Decongestant nasal sprays/drops: Medicines sprayed or dropped into the nose for quick relief of stuffiness. Safe only for short-term use (a few days) due to the risk of “rebound congestion” if overused.Decongestant pills: Tablets (often containing pseudo-ephedrine) that help shrink swollen tissues in the nose. Used short-term only because the risks generally outweigh the benefits. For some people, it can be unsafe to take these pills.Diagnosis: The process by which a doctor determines what health condition a person has.Differential diagnosis: A list of possible conditions that could explain a patient’s symptoms. Before confirming CRS, your doctor will consider other conditions that could cause your symptoms.   E Endotyping / Phenotyping: Specialist terms for classifying a disease by looking at the exact type of inflammation or cells involved. This helps doctors tailor treatments, like deciding what type of biologics to use.ENT doctor (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist): A doctor who specialises in conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat. Also known as an otolaryngologist.Exacerbation: A sudden worsening or flare-up of symptoms. If you understand when you’re having an exacerbation, you can see your doctor sooner and adjust medications if necessary.   F Facial pain/pressure: An uncomfortable feeling in the face, forehead, or cheeks that can happen when sinuses are inflamed or blocked, or due to nasal polyps.FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery): A type of sinus surgery where a specialist uses a thin camera (an endoscope) to open and clear the sinuses. It is known as “functional” because it aims to restore normal sinus function rather than just remove tissue.First-line treatments: The initial or standard treatments that medical guidelines recommend. For CRS, these include saline rinses and nasal corticosteroid sprays.Fungal infection: An infection caused by fungi (like mould). Generally, normal sinuses can handle fungi without trouble, but in certain cases, fungi can worsen sinus issues.   G Genetics (Hereditary): Refers to the information passed down from parents to children through genes that can make some people more likely to develop certain conditions.   H Hormone changes: Body chemicals (like oestrogen) that can shift during pregnancy or menopause, sometimes affecting conditions like CRS.House dust mite: Tiny insect-like pests found in household dust that can trigger allergies and make CRS symptoms worse if you are allergic.   I Immune system: Your body’s defence against infections and foreign substances. In CRS, this system may overreact, causing ongoing inflammation.Immune deficiencies: Conditions where the immune system is weaker or does not work properly, leading to more frequent infections.Immunotherapy: A treatment that may help the body get used to allergens so it reacts less over time. Often given as injections or drops/pills under the tongue.Inflammation: