overview
- Nasal polyps in the nose and sinuses
- Nasal Polyps Open the pop-up dialog box
- Nasal polyps are soft, painless, non-cancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang like tears or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are linked to asthma, recurrent infections, allergies, drug sensitivity, or certain immune disorders.
Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or clusters of nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or cause breathing problems, loss of smell, and frequent infections. Nasal polyps Treatment in Hyderabad
symptoms
Nasal polyps are associated with irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the lining of the nasal passages and sinuses that last for more than 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis).
However, it is possible to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps themselves are soft and not nice to the touch. So when they are small, you may not know you have them. Multiple growths or a large polyp can block your nasal passages and sinuses.
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:
- A runny nose
- Persistent overload
- Post-nasal secretions
- Decreased or absent sense of smell
The reasons
Scientists still don’t fully understand what causes nasal polyps, why some people develop long-term inflammation, or why irritation and swelling (inflammation) trigger polyps in some people and not in others. The swelling occurs in the fluid-producing lining (lining) of your nose and sinuses.
There is evidence that people who develop polyps have different immune system responses and chemical markers in their mucous membranes than people who do not develop polyps.
Nasal polyps can form at any age, but are more common in young and middle adults.
Risk factors
Any condition that causes long-term irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the nasal passages or sinuses, such as infection or allergies, can increase your risk of developing nasal polyps.
Conditions often associated with nasal polyps include:
- Asthma, a disease in which the airways swell (become inflamed) and narrow
- Aspirin sensitivity
- Allergic fungal sinusitis, an allergy to fungus in the air
- Cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes unusually thick, sticky fluids in the body, including thick mucus from the nasal and sinus membranes
- Churg-Strauss syndrome (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis), a rare disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels
- Vitamin D deficiency, which occurs when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D. Nasal polyps Treatment in Hyderabad
Complications
Nasal polyps can cause complications as they block normal airflow and drainage of fluids, as well as the long-term irritation and swelling (inflammation) underlying their development.
Possible complications are:
Obstructive sleep apnea. This is a potentially serious condition that causes you to stop and start breathing frequently while you sleep.
Asthma attacks. Chronic sinusitis can make asthma worse.
Sinus infection. Nasal polyps can make you more prone to common sinus infections.
prevention
The following strategies can help you reduce the chances of nasal polyps developing or nasal polyps coming back after treatment:
- Manage allergies and asthma. Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. If your symptoms are not well controlled, ask your doctor to change your treatment plan.
- Avoid nasal irritation. Whenever possible, avoid breathing airborne substances that can cause swelling or irritation of the nose and sinuses, such as allergens, tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust and fine debris.
- Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from bacterial and viral infections that can cause inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses.
- Moisturize your home. Using a humidifier can help most of the airways, improve the flow of mucus from your sinuses, and prevent blockage and inflammation. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent bacteria from growing. Nasal polyps Treatment in Hyderabad