What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are painless, noncancerous growths. They occur in the mucosa (thin, soft tissue) lining your nasal and sinus passages. They typically occur on both sides of your nose. Nasal polyps may become inflamed and swollen, and it may become difficult for you to breathe through your nose.

Small polyps resemble teardrops. However, as they become bigger, they start to look like pink, yellow, or gray peeled grapes.

Nasal polyps occur in as many as 40% of the general population. Anyone can develop them. But they're twice as prevalent in men.

Nasal polyposis is another term for nasal polyps.

What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Small polyps in your nose may not have any symptoms. But when they grow, you may develop:

Stuffy nose (nasal congestion).
Runny nose (rhinorrhea).
Headaches.
Loss of smell and taste.
Nosebleeds.
Postnasal drip.
Sinus pressure.
Snoring.

Once polyps are big enough, they can clog your nasal passages and sinuses and cause:

Asthma attacks (often) in individuals with asthma.
Chronic sinus infections (sinusitis).
Sleep apnea or other sleep problems.
Trouble breathing, even in those without asthma.
Nasal polyps are painless, soft, noncancerous growths that may develop in the lining of your sinuses or nose.

What causes nasal polyps?

Doctors understand that inflammation leads to nasal polyps. But they don't know why some individuals develop polyps due to inflammation while others don't.

Chronic sinusitis—caused by allergy, infection, or asthma—appears to be the most frequent cause of nasal polyps. Chronic sinusitis is nasal and sinus inflammation that has persisted for three months or more. However, several risk factors may lead to nasal polyps.

What are the risk factors for nasal polyps?

A risk factor is anything that raises your likelihood of developing a particular ailment. Risk factors for nasal polyps include pre-existing medical disorders such as:

Asthma
Rhinitis due to allergies (hay fever).
Persistent sinus infections.
Fibrosis with cysts.
NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication) hypersensitivity.

Nasal polyps may also form due to genetics. For example, specific gene variations may affect the way nasal tissues respond to inflammation.

What are the complications of nasal polyps?

Chronic sinus infections that accompany nasal polyps may lead to uncommon but severe complications such as:

Bone infection (osteomyelitis) and bone loss.
Abscesses (infection pockets) that may extend to your eye sockets and brain.
Meningitis (infection of the membranes that cover your brain and spinal cord).

How do physicians diagnose nasal polyps?

A patient's physician will begin with a physical examination to diagnose nasal polyps. During this visit, they may:

Use a scope, a thin, tube-shaped device with a camera and light, to look inside your nose.
Examine your past medical records, paying particular attention to any allergies, asthma, or sinus infections.
Inquire about the duration of your symptoms.

What tests are used to diagnose nasal polyps?

To help them identify the size and position of each polyp, your healthcare professional might perform one of the following imaging tests if they require additional information:

CT (computed tomography) scan.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Your doctor can also suggest allergy testing, which can help him determine the allergens responsible for nasal polyps and inflammation.

How are nasal polyps treated?

Nasal polyp treatment varies according to the intensity of your situation. Medication and surgery are the two prominent methods.

In the future, nasal polyps may recur even after surgery. You and your doctor will talk about the likelihood of recurrence (returning) and how to deal with it.

Medication

Medication typically doesn't eliminate nasal polyps but can relieve symptoms. Treatments often include:

Steroid nasal sprays that shrink polyps and relieve symptoms.
Oral steroids (tablets you swallow) such as prednisone.
Biologic drugs, like dupilumab injections. (Dupilumab has monoclonal antibodies that activate your immune system and can shrink nasal polyps.)

Your doctor also might prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection.

Surgery to treat nasal polyps

If the medicine isn't effective — or you have large polyps — you might need sinus surgery to get rid of them. Your doctor might use nasal endoscopy to perform one of these minimally invasive procedures:

Polypectomy: Your doctor uses small tools — such as surgical scissors or snares — to catch and remove the polyps within your nose. (A surgical snare is similar to a lasso that encircles a polyp.)
Balloon sinuplasty: A doctor passes a small balloon up your nostril and into your sinus tract. They inflate the balloon slowly to open up your nasal pathways. Sometimes, they'll also remove nasal polyps during the procedure.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): A doctor removes polyps, infected tissue, damaged bone and whatever else gets in the way of your nasal passages using tiny instruments.

These are all minimally invasive operations. In other words, your surgeon uses your nostrils for operation. Thus, there won't be any sutures or incisions visible.

Can nasal polyps be prevented?

Nasal polyps are not always preventable. However, you can lower your risk by doing the following:

Follow the directions on all medicines.
Steer clear of airborne allergens and irritants that can aggravate the sinuses and nose.
Use a humidifier at home to assist in moistening your breathing tubes.
Use a saline nasal spray or rinse to remove allergens or other irritants.
Maintain good hygiene.

What can I expect if I have nasal polyps?

Treatment can make you eliminate nasal polyps and allow you to breathe more easily through your nose. However, polyps often return after treatment. Some individuals must remain on steroid medications or undergo repeat surgery to control them.

Individuals with loss of taste (ageusia) and loss of smell (anosmia) may not experience a complete resolution of symptoms after treatment. Ask your doctor or physician what to expect in your situation.

When should I see my doctor?

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience nasal polyp symptoms for over 10 days.

Also, inform your supplier if you notice a growth on one nostril side. This may be a nasal or paranasal tumor, not a polyp.

What do I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your doctor:
How can I reduce the symptoms?
Do I need medication, surgery or both?
Must I limit my activity?
Must I visit a specialist?
Should I visit the emergency room for any symptoms?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Nasal Polyps treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers nasal polyps treatment in Lucknow, India. We have an experienced team of ENT specialists who provide advanced diagnostics, medical therapy, and minimally invasive surgical options for patients suffering from nasal polyps. Our care plans are personalised to restore normal breathing and prevent recurrence.