Nasal polyps are soft, non-malignant, and painless growths on the lining of the sinuses or nasal passages. They hang down from those linings and resemble teardrops. This can occur due to a variety of reasons such as asthma, chronic illnesses that cause inflammation, allergies, etc. In some cases, symptoms may not show up. It is a very common condition and can be treated with surgery or medication like corticosteroids.
The symptoms of nasal polyps
Chronic inflammation of the nasal passage lining. In the case of large nasal polyps, the nasal passages can get blocked.
Continuous runny nose that can make the patient feel like they’re always affected by a cold.
Persistent blocked or stuffy nose that causes difficulty in falling asleep. It can also cause difficulty in breathing through the nose.
Nil or a poor sense of smell due to the obstruction of the nasal passage. This symptom can exist as long as the polyps go untreated. Sometimes, even after treatment, one’s sense of smell may not return to normal.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs is a condition wherein a person stops breathing during the middle of their sleep. This can lead to life-threatening situations.
Double vision can occur in severe cases and is more likely to occur if one has cystic fibrosis or allergic fungal sinusitis.
Postnasal drip. This is a condition in which excess mucus drips down the back of the throat.
In addition to these symptoms, one can experience other symptoms such as:
- Pain all over the face
- Headache
- Itchiness and irritation around the eyes
- Nasal congestion and stuffiness
- Pressure in the forehead and/or face
- Poor sense of taste that may not improve even after treatment
- Heavy amounts of snoring.
The causes of nasal polyps
The exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown but after studying a few cases, certain factors are linked to nasal polyps.
Non-allergic asthma can be linked to the development of nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps are not considered to be a disease and are rather classified as a side effect of inflammation that occurs in the nose or sinuses. This inflammation causes an accumulation of fluid in the space between the mucus-forming cells of the nose and sinuses. Eventually, these fluids are pulled down by gravity resulting in nasal polyps.
Although the main cause is unknown, certain triggers like bacterial or viral infections, allergies and immune response to a fungus in the body can cause the formation of these polyps.
They can develop anywhere throughout the sinuses and nasal passages, but they most often occur near the opening to the sinuses.
Treatment
This condition can be treated through the following methods.
Steroids can be taken in the form of a nasal spray or nose drops that go on to shrink the polyps. In the case of a severe form of nasal polyps, steroid tablets are prescribed.
Other medications are given in order to prevent or treat other inflammatory diseases which can worsen the polyps.
Surgery is mainly used as a last option for patients who do not respond well to other treatments.