What Are Nasal Polyps

Have you ever encountered a cold that refuses to go away? Has there been nasal congestion that doesn’t subside even after taking OTC allergy or cold medication? It can be due to nasal polyps. They are non-cancerous growth of the lining tissues or the mucosa of your nose, explains the ENT expert near you.

What Causes Nasal Polyps

The nasal polyps grow in the inflamed tissue of the nasal mucosa. The mucosa is a wet layer protecting the inside of the nose and sinuses. It humidifies the air that you breathe. During an infection, the nasal mucosa gets swollen, become red and may produce fluid that drips out. When the irritation lasts for a longer duration, the mucosa can form a polyp. The polyp is around growth just like cyst which can block the nasal passage. People can develop polyps without any previous history of nasal problems. There can be some factors triggering polyps which are as follows:

• Sensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Asthma
• Chronic sinus infection
• Cystic fibrosis
• Allergic rhinitis

In some people, there can be a hereditary tendency to develop polyps which may be due to genetic factors. Before you go for the nasal polyp’s treatment in Jupiter, FL, you need to be aware of the symptoms. Here’s a look: When the polyps become big enough, it can block your nasal passage and result in congestion. The nasal polyps symptoms are as follows:

• Runny nose
• Feeling that the nose is blocked
• Nasal stuffiness
• Breathing through your mouth
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal congestion
• Reduced sense of smell
• Pressure on your forehead or face
• Sleep apnea
• Snoring

Diagnosis of Nasal Polyps

A nasal polyp will be visible if the doctor looks up into the nasal passage with the help of lit equipment known as a nasoscope. However, if the polyp is deeper n the sinuses, the doctor may need to perform a nasal endoscopy. The procedure consists of inserting a thin and flexible tube with a light and camera at the end of the nasal passages. For determining the size of the polyp, a CT scan or MRI scan may be required. The polyps appear as opaque spots on the scans. The doctor may also perform the allergy test for finding out the exact source of nasal inflammation. The tests involve making tiny pricks in the skin and depositing liquid form of allergens. The doctor will observe if your body reacts to any of these allergens. In case a young child has nasal polyps, the doctor will conduct a test for genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis.

Treatment Options for Nasal Polyps

Medicines

Medications that help in alleviating the inflammation can help in reducing the size of the polyp along with relieving the congestion. The runny nose and sensation of blockage can be treated with the help of nasal steroids. But they work temporarily as when you stop taking them, the symptoms return quickly, explains the ENT specialist near you. Antihistamines and antibiotics can also help in the treatment of allergies or sinus infections which are caused by the inflammation in the nose.

Surgery

If the symptoms aren’t improving, you need to look for nasal polyp surgery near you as it can help. The size of the polyp will help in determining the type of surgery. Polypectomy may be performed. It is a surgery in which a small suction device cuts and removes the soft tissue which includes mucosa. Often doctors perform an endoscopic sinus surgery in case there are larger polyps with the help of a thin, flexible endoscope with a tiny camera and small tools on the end. The polyps and other obstructions will be found out and removed. The doctor will also enlarge the openings to your sinus cavities. Once the surgery has been done, the nasal sprays and saline washes can help in preventing polyps from happening again. The nasal sprays, anti-allergy medications, and saline washes can also help in preventing the nasal polyp from developing.

Complications

You must know that treating polyp with surgery can lead to nosebleeds and infection. Also, continued treatment with nasal steroid sprays can lower the resistance to sinus infections.