Live Life Team
Nasal polyps are pink, grey and yellowish in color, these are fleshy swellings that grow on the lining of the sinuses or nose. When it is growing it is in a tear drop shape and looks like a peeled grape attached to a narrow stalk. Polyps affect both the nostrils and grow in cluster or singly. Mucous membrane is moist tissues that lines organs and body cavities like lung, mouth and nose. Nasal polyps causes by inflammation of mucous membrane. It is not yet determined what triggers inflammation. This can disturb breathing if they grow in cluster or if they grow in large. They block the flow of air to sensitive areas in the roof of nose that controls smell reducing sense of smelling. Nasal polyps block the holes through which air flows and mucus drains. This blocking can result in sinusitis.
Nasal polyps are not cancerous and common. It is very common in men over 40 years, very uncommon amongst children.
Symptoms
These may not cause any symptom and appear all of a sudden. You feel blockage in your nose and find difficult to breathe if the polyps are big and you then breathe from your mouth. This can give discomfort while sleeping in the night. Few symptoms of nasal polyps are: snoring, headache, reduced sense of smell and taste and a permanently running nose. Sinus infection can develop if the nasal polyps blocks sinuses. More serious conditions can occur by a single large polyp or a cluster of polyps like: Double vision as polyps altering facial structure – Occurs with people with allergic fungal sinusitis or cystic fibrosis, Obstructive sleep apnoea – A serious condition wherein you start and stop breathing while sleeping.
The symptoms of nasal polyps are similar to that of cold. It takes about 14 days for cold to clear on its own whereas nasal polyps do not go. You need to visit your GP if these symptoms remain for more than 2 weeks.
Causes
Inflammation in the nose lets fluids to build up in cells of your nose, over a period of time as gravity pulls on these fluid filled cells it develops in polyps. Causes for inflammation can be a immune system response to fungus, an allergy, viral or bacterial infection or can also be unknown. However there can be certain conditions that cause inflammation like: Churg-strauss syndrome – disease that inflames blood vessels, allergy to aspirin, cystic fibrosis, rhinitis and asthama.
Diagnosis
Nasal polyps can be diagnosed by examining nostrils. Polyps in your nostrils will be visible to eyes but if it cannot be visible if it is in your sinuses. A CT scan will be required to find the location and size.
Treatment
Incase of small polyps, nasal sprays or nasal drops containing steroid medicine are prescribed. These shrink the polyps and reduce inflammation. This shows effect in few days, at times a week is also taken to show visible improvement. There also be a chance of some side effects caused by steroids nasal drops or sprays like, sore throat, headache and nose bleeds.
If the polyps are large in size and very severe, steroid tablets in combination nasal spray is prescribed. These are very effective in shrinking the size of polyps. Oral consumption of steroids can also have few side effects and are not advised to take for more than few weeks.
There can be chance where any of the above may not be effective. In such cases surgeries have to be performed. These surgeries depend upon the location, number and size of the polyps.
Polypectomy
This is performd through the nostrils, inserting small surgical instruments to cut the polyps. Local or general anesthesia is given. At times tiny pieces of bones are removed from nose to avoid reform of polyps in future.
Endoscopic sinus surgery
If the polyps are in cluster, large in size and are blocking your sinuses. A endoscope is used to view inside the sinuses and nose, then small incisions or cuts are made to your face and insert a surgical instrument to open cavities and remove the polyps.
Polyps can reappear after either of the surgeries is performed, hence further surgery may be needed.
