TOMOMI’S STORY: LIFE WITHOUT A SENSE OF SMELL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
February 2021
Personal Stories
Nasal Polyps
The smell of a newborn baby, the aroma and taste of fresh strawberries, the warning scent of gas that signals a leak. For Tomomi, whose chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) means that she has lived without a sense of smell, all of these scents – and the important moments and warnings that come with them – have been missing during periods of her life.
CRSwNP is an inflammatory disease in which nasal polyps – teardrop-shaped growths – form in the sinuses and nasal passages. It can cause symptoms including loss of smell and taste, nasal congestion, a constant runny nose, and facial pain.1 Along with 50% of people with nasal polyps, Tomomi also lives with asthma,2 which poses further concern. For example, her inability to smell means she cannot easily identify asthma triggers in the air in the same way others may be able to. And having coexisting diseases with excessive type 2 inflammation means that her symptoms can be more severe and difficult to treat.3
Tomomi had surgery to remove her nasal polyps but, unfortunately, even with surgery nasal polyps can reoccur.4 And surgery as a management option also does not target the underlying type 2 inflammation that is at the root of the disease for 80% of people with nasal polyps,5,6 as well as 50%-70% of people with asthma.7,8,9
Learn more about the burden that having nasal polyps has placed on Tomomi’s life by watching her full story below. You can also visit our nasal polyps page for more information, including a guide for making a plan with a doctor.
References:
- 1. Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Mullol J, Bachert C, Alobid I, Baroody F, Cohen N, Cervin A, Douglas R, Gevaert P, Georgalas C. EPOS 2012: European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2012. A summary for otorhinolaryngologists. Rhinology. 2012 Mar;50(1):1-2.
- 2. Khan A, Vandeplas G, Huynh TMT, et al. The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GALEN rhinosinusitis cohort: a large European cross-sectional study of chronic rhinosinusitis patients with and without nasal polyps. Rhinology. 2019;57(1):32-42.
- 3. Tay, T. R., Radhakrishna, N., Hore‐Lacy, F., Smith, C., Hoy, R., Dabscheck, E., & Hew, M. (2016). Comorbidities in difficult asthma are independent risk factors for frequent exacerbations, poor control and diminished quality of life. Respirology, 21(8), 1384-1390.
- 4. DeConde AS, Mace JC, Levy JM, Rudmik L, Alt JA, Smith TL. Prevalence of polyp recurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Laryngoscope. 2017;127(3):550-555.
- 5. Chaaban MR, Walsh EM, Woodworth BA. Epidemiology and differential diagnosis of nasal polyps. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2013;27(6):473-478.
- 6. Van Zele T, Claeys S, Gevaert P, et al. Differentiation of chronic sinus diseases by measurement of inflammatory mediators. Allergy. 2006;61(11):1280-1289.
- 7. Peters MC, Mekonnen ZK, Yuan S, et al. Measure of gene expression in sputum cells can identify TH2-high and TH2-low subtypes of asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(2):388-394.
- 8. Robinson D, Humbert M, Buhl R, et al. Revisiting type 2-high and type 2-low airway inflammation in asthma: current knowledge and therapeutic implications. Clin Exp Allergy. 2017: 47(2): 161-175.
- 9. Fahy JV. Type 2 inflammation in asthma — present in most, absent in many. Nat Rev lmmunol. 2015;15(1):57-65.
Date of Approval: January 2021 | MAT-GLB-2100058
TOMOMI’S STORY: LIFE WITHOUT A SENSE OF SMELL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
2/23/2021 12:00:00 AM
Tomomi shares the far-reaching impact nasal polyps have on her life, most notably, how they impact her sense of smell.
SUPPORTING TEENS WITH ASTHMA: AN INTERVIEW WITH PEDIATRIC ALLERGIST, DR. AUTUMN BURNETTE
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM
Allergist and immunologist Dr. Autumn Burnette shares her advice for teens with asthma and their caregivers.
THE JOURNEY TO ASTHMA CONTROL: DIAGNOSIS AND WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
The Next Breath Editorial Team
10/2/2020 12:00:00 AM
An asthma diagnosis is the first step to receiving appropriate care. We discuss the process and why the journey doesn’t stop there.
LOOKING INSIDE: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION IN ASTHMA
The Next Breath Editorial Team
9/2/2020 12:00:00 AM
Explore these facts about type 2 inflammation – a contributor to asthma – and then test your knowledge. What score will you get?
Amit’s Story: Finding a Deeper Meaning with Severe Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
8/4/2020 12:00:00 AM
Severe asthma has had a big impact on Amit’s life. Now that she has found a better level of control, its inspired a new career path.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD? EXPLORING BARRIERS TO ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS AND CARE
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7/7/2020 12:00:00 AM
Unpacking EFA’s Active Patients ACCESS Care Report to discover how diagnosis and care can be improved for people living with asthma.
Harnessing the Power Of The Asthma Experience
The Next Breath Editorial Team
6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM
Learn how the research community taps into the asthma experience of those who know it best – people with asthma – and how these insights help advance care.
What’s Your Asthma Personality? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
The Next Breath Editorial Team
4/28/2020 12:00:00 AM
Everyone’s asthma is unique, but people can have similar experiences. Take this 5-question quiz to find out your “asthma personality” and resources to explore today.
LET’S TALK ABOUT ASTHMA: TIPS FOR STARTING A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The Next Breath Editorial Team
3/31/2020 12:00:00 AM
Life with uncontrolled persistent asthma can be tough, but so can talking about it! That’s why we’ve gathered these tips to help you start a meaningful conversation with family and friends.
A Checklist to Help You Better Understand Your Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
2/17/2020 12:00:00 AM
Meet Dr. Maureen George, the behavioral scientist who helped develop a simple, but powerful description of severe asthma and checklist that are helping people understand and talk about their disease.
YOU MAY NOT BE “SICK,” BUT TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT BETTER ASTHMA CONTROL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
1/1/2020 12:00:00 AM
Better asthma control is possible. Use these tips to jump-start a conversation with your doctor about addressing your symptoms.
Type 2 Inflammation: An Often Overlooked Contributor to Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/5/2019 12:00:00 AM
Dr. Lawrence Sher, Medical Director at Palos Verdes Medical Group and a physician at Peninsula Research Associates, discusses type 2 inflammation, an underlying cause of a certain type of asthma,1 and what true asthma “control” could look like.
How One Woman Refused to Let Asthma Control Her Life
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/1/2019 12:00:00 AM
Tammy was diagnosed with asthma as an infant. Throughout her childhood, her asthma was severe but under control with help from her doctor, who prescribed an inhaler and other medicines.
THE A-HA ASTHMA MOMENT THAT HELPED LYNN TAKE BACK CONTROL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
11/5/2019 12:00:00 AM
Lynn talks about the moment when she realized her asthma was uncontrolled and she needed to make a change.
ARE THESE 5 MYTHS PREVENTING YOU FROM ASTHMA CONTROL?
The Next Breath Editorial Team
10/2/2019 12:00:00 AM
People living with asthma often overestimate their level of control. That’s why we’ve looked at five common myths about asthma and unpacked the facts.
TOMOMI’S STORY: LIFE WITHOUT A SENSE OF SMELL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
2/23/2021 12:00:00 AM
Tomomi shares the far-reaching impact nasal polyps have on her life, most notably, how they impact her sense of smell.
SUPPORTING TEENS WITH ASTHMA: AN INTERVIEW WITH PEDIATRIC ALLERGIST, DR. AUTUMN BURNETTE
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/7/2020 12:00:00 AM
Allergist and immunologist Dr. Autumn Burnette shares her advice for teens with asthma and their caregivers.
THE JOURNEY TO ASTHMA CONTROL: DIAGNOSIS AND WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
The Next Breath Editorial Team
10/2/2020 12:00:00 AM
An asthma diagnosis is the first step to receiving appropriate care. We discuss the process and why the journey doesn’t stop there.
LOOKING INSIDE: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION IN ASTHMA
The Next Breath Editorial Team
9/2/2020 12:00:00 AM
Explore these facts about type 2 inflammation – a contributor to asthma – and then test your knowledge. What score will you get?
Amit’s Story: Finding a Deeper Meaning with Severe Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
8/4/2020 12:00:00 AM
Severe asthma has had a big impact on Amit’s life. Now that she has found a better level of control, its inspired a new career path.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD? EXPLORING BARRIERS TO ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS AND CARE
The Next Breath Editorial Team
7/7/2020 12:00:00 AM
Unpacking EFA’s Active Patients ACCESS Care Report to discover how diagnosis and care can be improved for people living with asthma.
Harnessing the Power Of The Asthma Experience
The Next Breath Editorial Team
6/3/2020 12:00:00 AM
Learn how the research community taps into the asthma experience of those who know it best – people with asthma – and how these insights help advance care.
What’s Your Asthma Personality? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
The Next Breath Editorial Team
4/28/2020 12:00:00 AM
Everyone’s asthma is unique, but people can have similar experiences. Take this 5-question quiz to find out your “asthma personality” and resources to explore today.
LET’S TALK ABOUT ASTHMA: TIPS FOR STARTING A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The Next Breath Editorial Team
3/31/2020 12:00:00 AM
Life with uncontrolled persistent asthma can be tough, but so can talking about it! That’s why we’ve gathered these tips to help you start a meaningful conversation with family and friends.
A Checklist to Help You Better Understand Your Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
2/17/2020 12:00:00 AM
Meet Dr. Maureen George, the behavioral scientist who helped develop a simple, but powerful description of severe asthma and checklist that are helping people understand and talk about their disease.
YOU MAY NOT BE “SICK,” BUT TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT BETTER ASTHMA CONTROL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
1/1/2020 12:00:00 AM
Better asthma control is possible. Use these tips to jump-start a conversation with your doctor about addressing your symptoms.
Type 2 Inflammation: An Often Overlooked Contributor to Asthma
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/5/2019 12:00:00 AM
Dr. Lawrence Sher, Medical Director at Palos Verdes Medical Group and a physician at Peninsula Research Associates, discusses type 2 inflammation, an underlying cause of a certain type of asthma,1 and what true asthma “control” could look like.
How One Woman Refused to Let Asthma Control Her Life
The Next Breath Editorial Team
12/1/2019 12:00:00 AM
Tammy was diagnosed with asthma as an infant. Throughout her childhood, her asthma was severe but under control with help from her doctor, who prescribed an inhaler and other medicines.
THE A-HA ASTHMA MOMENT THAT HELPED LYNN TAKE BACK CONTROL
The Next Breath Editorial Team
11/5/2019 12:00:00 AM
Lynn talks about the moment when she realized her asthma was uncontrolled and she needed to make a change.
ARE THESE 5 MYTHS PREVENTING YOU FROM ASTHMA CONTROL?
The Next Breath Editorial Team
10/2/2019 12:00:00 AM
People living with asthma often overestimate their level of control. That’s why we’ve looked at five common myths about asthma and unpacked the facts.
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