All About Nasal Polyps: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, and teardrop-shaped growths in sinus linings. People with certain pre-existing conditions like asthma, allergies, and recurring sinus infections become more susceptible to developing them. Several treatment options can help patients treat these growths and manage the symptoms that come with them.

What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are non-cancerous, soft, and painless tissue growths in the sinus linings. They often come in various sizes and can form individually or in clusters. They can grow in one or both nostrils simultaneously. Nasal polyps can appear yellow, pink, or gray. When they first develop, they appear teardrop-shaped, but as they grow, they begin to resemble grapes..

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Nasal polyps are not painful, however, they can cause nasal blockage, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. As they grow more or increase in number, the patient becomes more susceptible to sinus infections. In some cases, these symptoms include a decreased sense of smell.

What are the common symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps symptoms vary per patient but here are the common symptoms one can expect:

• Nasal congestion and breathing difficulties due to the growth of excess tissue in the sinus linings
• Runny nose
• A decreased sense of smell
• Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down to the back of the throat
• Headaches
• Facial pain or pressure
• Pain or pressure in the teeth
• Itching around the eye area
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea or other similar sleep disorders

What Causes Nasal Polyps?

In some cases, nasal polyps develop after a sinus infection. Some patients develop them after the infection, while some don’t. The reason why, however, no one knows for sure. Healthcare professionals have yet to determine the exact cause of nasal polyps and why some people develop them while others don’t. What we know is that certain pre-existing conditions can make someone more susceptible to nasal polyps. These conditions include:

• Allergies
• Chronic sinusitis
• Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Aspirin sensitivity or intolerance

How are Nasal Polyps Diagnosed?

Nasal polyps can be diagnosed via a physical examination your healthcare provider will perform. Your doctor will use a thin and tube-like medical instrument with a camera and light at one end. This instrument, called a scope, will help them look at the inside of your nasal passages. They may also take a small sample for biopsy purposes. For a better view of the growth, they might order a CT or MRI scan. The scan will also reveal the growth’s exact size and location.

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During the consultation, your care provider will ask you about your symptoms and how you have experienced them. Your medical history and pre-existing conditions like allergies, asthma, and sinus infections will all be weighed in to come up with a diagnosis.

How are Nasal Polyps Treated?

There are several ways to treat nasal polyps and manage the symptoms that come with them including:

Allergy medication

If you have allergies and it’s what contributed to the excess growth tissue in your sinus linings, your care provider will recommend that you regularly take your allergy medication. Doing so can help shrink the size of the growth and reduce the risks of regrowth.

Oral steroids

Oral steroids (like prednisone) are an effective treatment option that can also shrink the size of nasal polyps and reduce the swelling of the nasal linings. This helps clear nasal blockages and improve breathing. Oral steroids come in the form of pills and are swallowed like any other oral medication.

Steroid nasal sprays

Steroid nasal sprays can help manage nasal blockage, a symptom of nasal polyps. These break down mucus buildup and improve breathing. In some cases, they can also shrink the size of growths in the sinus linings.

Other oral medications

Other oral medications like antibiotics and antihistamines can treat nasal polyps. Antibiotics may be prescribed if you have a sinus infection caused by bacteria. On the other hand, antihistamines can effectively manage allergy symptoms and reduce the swelling of the nasal passages.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can clear nasal passages. While it’s not a treatment for nasal polyps, it can clear congestion. The procedure starts by inserting a small balloon catheter into the nasal cavity. Then, this balloon will be gently inflated to open up the sinus passages. Your care provider can also remove nasal polyps while conducting balloon sinuplasty.

Polypectomy

A polypectomy is done using nasal endoscopy and is suggested when all other medical interventions fail to work.

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Using a thin tube that is inserted into the nasal cavities, a light at one end of the instrument helps to get a better view of the nose. During the procedure, the nasal polyps will be removed and the patient can achieve proper mucus drainage, clear nasal passages, and better breathing.

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For small polyps, the procedure is called polypectomy while for bigger polyps, it’s called functional endoscopic sinus surgery or FESS.

Trust Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy, Your Resident Nasal Polyps Expert

At Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy, we deal with nasal polyps with certain expertise. Schedule a consultation with our team today and start your journey towards nasal polyps relief and better breathing.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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