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Do you feel like having a stuffy or blocked nose (nasal congestion) that doesn’t seem to get cured? Well, you may have NASAL POLYPS in that case. More common in young and middle age, nasal polyps are often painless, non-cancerous, and can usually be treated without surgical intervention.
What Are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are cyst-like benign growths or inflammations inside the nose lining or the hollow area in the bones around the nose, called sinuses. They affect the inflamed tissue of the nasal mucosa. This mucosa can get swollen with infection or allergy, producing dripping fluid. If this situation persists for a long time, a polyp develops. Nasal polyps normally occur on both sides of the nose. They can appear in pink or yellowish-brown colour and grow in varied sizes, but most commonly in teardrop-like shapes and like grapes on a stem.
Causes of Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are generally triggered by certain conditions, including:
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Chronic or recurrent sinus infection
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Asthma
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Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or other allergic reactions
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Cystic fibrosis.
However, some nasal polyps may occur with no previous nasal issues, too - it can be hereditary or due to a reaction to inflammation in the mucosa. If you suspect nasal polyps, it's advisable to consult an ENT specialist in Salem for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?
The nasal polyps’ symptoms can often be similar to a regular cold, feeling like a swollen nasal passage. You must visit a specialist if you are feeling any discomfort around your nasal area. Some symptoms of nasal polyps include:
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Runny nose
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Stuffy nose, causing breathing difficulty
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Postnasal drip or the feeling of mucus running down the back of the throat
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Poor or no sense of smell and decreased taste senses
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Snoring & obstructive sleep apnea in severe cases
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Headache
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Double vision, is common with patients having cystic fibrosis or allergic fungal sinusitis.
If you have tiny nasal polyps, you may not feel any major irritation. People with more than one or larger polyps are more prone to getting the above-mentioned symptoms.
How Nasal Polyps are Diagnosed?
ENT doctors can efficiently diagnose nasal polyps after checking the symptoms and examining your nose. These can usually be seen with the help of a torch or other illuminated device.
Your doctor may also suggest certain tests to diagnose nasal polyps, such as a CT scan, nasal endoscopy, cystic fibrosis test, and skin prick allergy test if allergies cause the nasal polyps.
Treatment for Nasal Polyps
If you suspect developing nasal polyps, always consult with an ENT physician for the best nasal polyps treatment before opting for self-medication to get the right doses for your condition.
The general treatment options include:
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Nasal drops to reduce inflammation
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Steroid oral tablets - highly effective but can cause side effects such as weight gain
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Antibiotics, antihistamines, or antifungal medicines
If one does not respond to these treatments, your doctor may suggest you undergo surgery, where the nasal polyps will be removed using surgical instruments.
Follow These Preventive Measures to Avoid Nasal Polyps:
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Always prefer a warm bath.
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Use a humidifier in your home if the surrounding air is dry.
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Be cautious of the irritants that can cause allergy, be it chemicals or airborne irritants
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Keep your nasal passage clean with saline water to remove the allergens.
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Keep your hands clean by maintaining proper hygiene.
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Follow your doctor’s suggestions and treatments, especially if you have asthma, to reduce the risk of developing nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps do not usually cause much worry. However, it is important to consult specialists if the situation worsens or to ensure nothing severe is happening. Visit Manipal Hospital Salem to seek consultation with the best ENT specialists in Salem.
FAQs
1. What are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are cyst-like inflammation inside the nose lining or around the sinuses.
2. What is the main cause of nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps symptoms can occur due to inflammation in the nasal cavity or conditions like asthma and allergies.
3. Is the surgical procedure for nasal polyps safe?
There are usually no adverse results from nasal polyps surgery. Our experienced ENT doctors at Salem use endoscopic procedures to remove the polyps with precision.
