Nasal Polyp

If you’re suffering from irritation and inflammation in the lining of your nasal cavity for a long time and it’s not going away with medication, it’s not just a cold!

Nasal congestion that doesn’t seem to go away even with over-the-counter medication may be a result of nasal polyps. Now, nasal polyps can be either benign or malignant. However, in either case, a clinical examination is required. Based on the examination, your doctor may recommend a few tests if there is a rapid progression of symptoms or if the presentation seems to be malignant. For a better understanding, read this article and learn all about nasal polyps and how to seek proper treatment.

Even though scientists don’t fully comprehend what causes nasal polyps, there’s evidence that it is caused in people with decreased immune system responses or different chemical markers in their mucous membranes.

Nasal polyps commonly occur in people suffering from the following health conditions:-

1. Chronic or recurring sinus infection
2. Asthma
3. Allergic rhinitis
4. Cystic fibrosis
5. Sensitivity to NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin

Any condition that triggers long-term irritation and swelling in your nasal passageway can be a risk factor for nasal polyps. These conditions can include:-

1. Asthma
2. Sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs
3. Allergy to airborne fungi
4. Cystic fibrosis (a genetic disorder resulting in abnormally thick, sticky fluids in the body, including mucus from the nasal lining)
5. Vitamin D deficiency
6. Smoking
7. Alcohol consumption
8. Exposure to the charcoal burner, etc.

Your family medical history is also at play here. There’s some evidence that certain genetic markers associated with immune system function can make your body more likely to develop nasal polyps.

Small nasal polyps may not even cause any symptoms. Larger growths or multiple polyps, on the other hand, can block your nasal passageways, leading to breathing difficulties, lost sense of smell, and frequent infections.

Common nasal polyp symptoms include:-

1. Runny nose
2. Persistent stuffiness
3. Decreased sense of smell
4. Lost of sense of taste
5. Headache
6. Pain in the upper teeth
7. Sense of pressure and heaviness over your forehead and face
8. Snoring
9. Frequent nosebleeds

The concern with nasal polyps is that they may come back once treated. So to manage your symptoms and treat factors, such as allergies that contribute to inflammation, you’ll have to work in collaboration with your health care team and develop a long-term treatment plan. 

The primary intent of this plan will be to reduce the size of the polyps or eliminate them entirely. 

Usually, medications are the first choice for nasal polyp treatment. However, the doctor may recommend surgical approach in severe cases where the breathing is extremely constricted or the inflammation is too much to get under control.

1. During the surgery, the lead surgeon will insert a small tube with a tiny camera into your sinus cavities.
2. In addition to the scope, he/she will use tiny instruments to remove the polyps and other substances causing the blockage.
3. The surgeon may need to widen the opening between the sinuses and the nasal passageway to allow room for breathing.

The best part about endoscopic surgery is that it is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, which means minimal hospital stay.

If left untreated, nasal polyps can:-

1. Make it difficult to breathe
2. Interfere with sleep
3. Lead to serious infections
4. Nasal Polyp Progression

Apart from the blockages caused by inflammation or an allergen, every other type of blockage must be taken very seriously. If not treated properly, nasal polyps can lead to difficulty in breathing, sleep apnea, or even sinus infection and asthma.

Symptoms and signs of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps are identical to a common cold, which is why most people often misdiagnose it. However, see your doctor if your symptoms last more than ten days or two weeks tops. 

If you are presenting with one or more of the symptoms mentioned below, seek immediate medical attention:-

1. Serious trouble breathing
2. Sudden worsening of symptoms
3. Reduced vision or limited movement in your eyes
4. Severe swelling around the eyes
5. Severe headache accompanied by high fever