How do nasal polyps work?

Have you ever had the impression that you have a persistent cold? Nasal polyps may be the cause of persistent nasal congestion that won’t go away even after taking over-the-counter cold or allergy medications.

Nasal polyps are benign (noncancerous) growths on your nose’s mucosa or lining tissues.

What triggers polyps in the nose?

Nasal polyps develop in irritated nasal mucosa tissue. The mucosa is a very moist layer that protects the sinuses and the interior of your nose while also adding moisture to the air you breathe. The nasal mucosa swells and turns red when infection or allergy-related irritation occurs, and it may also secrete fluid that drops out. Long-lasting inflammation may cause the mucosa to develop a polyp.

Which signs do nasal polyps exhibit?

Soft, painless growths inside the nasal passageways are known as nasal polyps. They frequently happen where your nose’s upper sinuses drain (where your eyes, nose, and cheekbones meet). Because polyps lack nerve sensitivity, you might not even be aware that you have them.

Polyps can enlarge to the point that they obstruct your nasal passages, causing persistent congestion. Some symptoms include:

feeling as though your nose is plugged

clogged nose

Postnasal drip, or when too much mucus drips down your neck,

• nasal congestion
• nasal obstruction
• diminished ability to smell
• using your mouth to breathe
• a pressing sensation in your face or forehead
• nap apnea
• snoring

If there is, pain or headaches may also happen.

Exactly how are nasal polyps detected?

If your doctor uses an otoscope or nasoscope, a lit instrument, to peer up into your nasal passages, they’ll probably be able to see a nasal polyp there. Nasal endoscopy may be required by your doctor if the polyp is deeper in your sinuses. Your doctor will insert a tiny, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end into your nasal passages during this procedure.

To pinpoint the precise size and position of the polyp, a CT scan or MRI may be required. These scans reveal polyps as opaque patches. If the polyp affected the local bone, scans can show this. This can also rule out growths of different types that can be more dangerous medically.

Doctors can identify the cause of persistent nasal inflammation with the aid of allergy tests. In these tests, various allergens in liquid form are deposited into tiny skin pricks on your body. Your doctor will then check to see if any of the allergens cause an immunological response in you.

It may be required to perform tests for genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis if a very young child has nasal polyps.

What options are there for treating nasal polyps?

Medications

Drugs that lessen inflammation may aid in shrinking the polyp and easing congested symptoms.

By causing the polyp to shrink, nasal steroids can lessen the runny nose and the feeling of obstruction. If you stop taking them, symptoms could reappear right away. 

Nasal steroids include, for instance:

fluticasone (Flonase, Veramyst) (Flonase, Veramyst)

budesonide (Rhinocort)

mometasone (Nasonex)

If nasal sprays are ineffective, an oral or injectable steroid, such as prednisone, may be an alternative. Due to their severe adverse effects, which include fluid retention, raised blood pressure, and heightened pressure in the eyes, these are not long-term treatments.

Antihistamines or antibiotics can also be used to treat allergies or sinus infections that are brought on by nasal irritation.

Surgery

If your symptoms don’t get any better, surgery can entirely remove the polyps. The size of the polyp will determine the type of operation. A polypectomy is an outpatient procedure that involves cutting and removing soft tissue, including the mucosa, using a small suction device called a microdebrider.

A thin, flexible endoscope with a tiny camera and tiny tools on the end can be used by your doctor to perform endoscopic sinus surgery on bigger polyps. The polyps or other obstructions will be located and removed by your doctor using an endoscope that is inserted into your nostrils. Additionally, your doctor might increase the sinus cavity apertures. Most of the time, this kind of surgery is performed as an outpatient treatment.

Nasal sprays and saline washes help stop polyps from coming back after surgery. In general, using nasal sprays, allergy medications, and saline washes to lessen nasal tract irritation can help prevent the growth of nasal polyps.

What possible side effects could nasal polyps have?

The removal of nasal polyps, particularly through surgery, may cause nosebleeds.

A thin, flexible endoscope with a tiny camera and tiny tools on the end can be used by your doctor to perform endoscopic sinus surgery on bigger polyps. The polyps or other obstructions will be located and removed by your doctor using an endoscope that is inserted into your nostrils. Additionally, your doctor might increase the sinus cavity apertures. Most of the time, this kind of surgery is performed as an outpatient treatment.

Small tissue growths inside your nasal passages are referred to as nasal polyps. While mostly benign (not cancerous), polyps can develop over time and cause odor issues, congestion, and recurrent sinusitis. When polyps reach their full size, which is roughly the size of a grape, these symptoms may manifest.