Nasal Polyps

“Nasal polyps” may not be a familiar word, but it is a bodily growth that can happen to anyone. These growths occur inside nasal passages and they hang like teardrops. Nasal polyps, which can present in groups, occur from asthma, infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or immune disorders, though the exact cause isn’t known. Smaller nasal polyps may show no symptoms, but larger ones can affect sinuses and block regular airflow. These growths are mainly caused by allergies, asthma, or cystic fibrosis, researchers hypothesize. Chronic inflammation in a part of your nose and sinuses triggers formation of polyps. Many mistakenly believe nasal polyps to be cancer, but that is not the case. Polyps grow because of long-term swelling and irritation in the nose. Doctors and researchers still cannot pinpoint one exact cause for nasal polyps.

How Do I Know If I Have Nasal Polyps?

Symptoms include nasal drip and congestion, sneezing, runny nose reduced ability to smell, loss of taste, itchy eye areas, and chronic infections. Another sign to be wary of is the constant feeling of having a head cold. Nasal polyps are most common in older adults and often indicate early signs of asthma or sinusitis.

Treatment

Treatments include nasal sprays, medications and antibiotics, and, for more severe cases, surgery. A small nasal telescope-guided procedure removes the polyps, which will relieve breathing passages and pain or pressure. The best advice is to speak with a doctor to figure out the best form of treatment, and to assess the severity of your polyps.

Why to Fix It

Nasal polyps can lead to a variety of moderately serious health concerns. Sleep can be affected, which can affect many of the body’s systems. Because polyps can block fluid drainage, infection can occur, and this infection can spread, even to the eye sockets and beyond.