Your nose can suffer from a variety of health problems. You can have sinusitis. You may get a cold or another infection. You can also suffer from something called nasal polyps.
What Are Nasal Polyps?
Polyps are small, soft growths (tumors) that attach themselves to the walls of their target surface using small stems. Nasal polyps attach themselves to the linings of your nose. They resemble grapes, particularly if they cluster together and hang down into the nasal passageway or sinuses. They may be miniscule or as large as a grape. However, even though polyps are tumors it is extremely rare for nasal polyps to be malignant.
The Causes of Polyps
The medical professionals and scientists are not precisely sure of the causes of polyps. They do know, however, you stand a higher chance of getting them under certain conditions. They are common if you suffer from chronically inflamed sinuses. The inflammation can be the result of several conditions including:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Drug sensitivity
- Some immune disorders such as
- Recurring infection
- Polyps may often accompany common cases of chronic sinusitis. The symptoms or results are similar to those connected with colds and sinus infections or sinusitis.
Results of Polyps
This will block your nasal and sinus cavities. In turn, this means:
-
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Difficulty in breathing through your nose
- Impaired sense of smell
- Decrease sense of taste
- A sensation of pressure in your forehead, face and/or upper teeth
The problem with polyps is increased if they are large in scope. This results in:
Blockage of the natural draining process of your nasal passages
Increased growth – even an overgrowth of bacteria, in your nasal cavities
The sometimes excruciating pain of a sinus infection
Fortunately, there are ways to treat the medical problem.
Treatment of Polyps
If you have nasal polyps, the best treatment is one that shrinks them. Elimination is best, but reducing their size will alleviate many of the problems of polyps. The initial approach undertaken by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist is medication. He or she will probably prescribe corticosteroids, including
-
- Beclomethasone
- Budesonide
- Ciclesonide
- Fluticasone
- Flunisolide
- Mometasone
- Triamcinolone
You can try them first in a nasal spray form. If this proves ineffective, your doctor may recommend oral or injectable versions of the drug treatment. Only if these methods fail and the problem persists, causing severe problems will your ENT recommend surgery.
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