Nasal Polyps Symptoms and Treatments

Nasal Polyps Symptoms and Treatments

Nasal polyps are growths that appear on the nasal passage lining or sinuses. Although they are noncancerous, they can still be painful at times and if left untreated could result in complications. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat the condition, and it’s easy to recognize the symptoms.

Symptoms

Some cases of nasal polyps don’t produce any symptoms at all, but usually when the polyps get large enough or grow in numbers, they block the nasal passages and cause you to lose your sense of smell or even cause breathing problems. At the same time your nose becomes more susceptible to infections.

Anyone can get nasal polyps but statistics show adults are more susceptible to it than children. The most common symptoms are a runny nose, postnasal drip, stuffiness, pain in the upper teeth and headache or facial pain. Some feel itchiness around the eyes, loss of sense of taste and smell and increased snoring.

Causes

Medical specialists aren’t yet sure what causes nasal polyps. What they do know is that some individuals develop inflammation in the sinuses and nasal lining, although what causes it isn’t clear. These polyps may appear anywhere but usually they manifest in the cheekbones, nose and eyes.

Prevention

The most effective preventive measure is to manage your allergies especially if you have asthma. If symptoms continue to manifest, talk to an ENT and ask for advice to change your treatment or get one. You should also steer clear off nasal irritants, which means you should avoid tobacco, cigarette smoke, dust, fumes and other possible allergens.

Practicing good hygiene is another important preventive step. Simply washing your hands thoroughly and regularly will protect your nose from bacteria and infections that could lead to infections and inflammation of your nasal passages. In addition, you should humidify your home if the atmosphere gets too dry.

Treatment

If you experience any of the symptoms above, you should consult an ENT specialist so he/she can prescribe the proper ENT services and treatment. Different kinds of medication may be given you including nasal corticosteroid sprays to minimize inflammation.

Corticosteroids such as ciclesonide, beclomethasone, triamcinolone, mometasone and fluticasone will eliminate polyps or reduce the symptoms.

Alternatively, your ENT specialist might prescribe injectable and oral corticosteroids if sprays aren’t effective. An oral corticosteroid like prednisone may be recommended either alone or to be used with a nasal spray. However, your ENT will only prescribe oral corticosteroids if other treatments don’t work as there are many possible side effects.

Your ENT might also recommend other drugs to treat the symptoms. If you have allergies for instance, you might be given antihistamines or antibiotics to prevent infections from recurring. Some patients may also be required to undergo surgery if the other treatments fail to work.

Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
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