Nasal Polyps: What and How to Treat

What are nasal polyps? Nasal polyps are painless noncancerous growths in your sinuses. They are soft and usually hang down in the lining of your nasal passages like grapes or tear drops. Nasal polyps may be small or large in size. Small nasal polyps usually do not have visible symptoms. On the other hand, larger nasal polyps’ growth can block your nasal passages, which may cause problems in breathing, frequent infections, and even reduced sense of taste and smell. Nasal polyps occur mostly when the patient suffers from sinusitis.

Sinusitis is a type of infection in the mucous membranes occurring in the lining of the nose and facial sinuses. Your sinusitis may have also been caused by bacteria that grow in your sinuses leading to facial pain, greenish or yellowish nasal discharges, nasal congestion, fever, and cough. Sinusitis may be classified as either acute or chronic. Having chronic sinusitis is commonly the start of nasal polyps’ growth in your sinuses.

What are the common signs of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps? Signs and symptoms are listed down below:

•    Postnasal drip
•    Runny nose
•    Nose stuffiness
•    Headache
•    Facial pain
•    Toothache
•    Jaw pain
•    Snoring
•    Itching around the eyes
•    Pressure in the head and face
•    Lost sense of smell and taste

Can nasal polyps be treated? Yes. Nasal polyps’ treatment usually starts with medications that will reduce polyp size; it may even disappear. Your doctor may suggest a corticosteroid nasal spray to reduce inflammation. He may also prescribe a sinus buster nasal spray. Sinus buster is a brand of nasal spray that can help ease nasal congestion, headache, and sinus pressure. If a corticosteroid nasal spray does not work for you, your doctor may also prescribe either oral or injectable corticosteroid.

There are so many ways to treat your chronic sinusitis, with or without nasal polyps. Manage your signs and symptoms. Also, never self-medicate if you are unsure. It is always best to work with your health care doctor in order to develop the best short or long-term treatment to your sinusitis and nasal polyps.

 

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