Nasal Polyps

Nasal Polyps – Teardrop Shaped Growth

Nasal polyps are common teardrop shaped, noncancerous growth which form in the nose or sinuses and are usually around the area where the sinuses open in the nasal cavity and mature nasal polyps appear like seedless, peeled grapes. Nasal polyps are fleshy swelling which grow from the lining of the nose or sinuses – the small cavities inside the nose. Sinuses are small air filled cavities which are found within the bones of the face and one can have sinuses on either side of the nose as well as behind the cheekbones, forehead and eyes.

Nasal polyps may cause no symptoms and is often associated with allergies or asthma and if they are small, may not need any treatment. Larger nasal polyps tend to block normal drainage from the sinuses and when too much mucus is collected in the sinuses, it could become infected resulting in thick discoloured drainage in the nose and throat which could affect several people.

Polyps which form in the colon or bladder should not be confused with nasal polyps and unlike these forms of polyps they are very rarely malignant. They should also not be confused with swollen turbinate that are the normal tissue which line the side of the nose and unlike swollen turbinate; they are not painful when touched.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

In majority of the cases, nasal polyps are effective with medication or surgery. However it could reappear even after successful treatment and hence it is essential to continue with the medical therapy. Some of the symptoms of nasal polyps include nasal congestion, obstruction, sneezing, postnasal drip, facial pain, runny nose, loss of smell, or taste, reduced ability to smell, itching around the eyes and chronic infections. Besides these symptoms, several peoples also develop asthmatic symptoms like wheezing, sinus infection, and are sensitive to fumes, dust, odours and chemicals.

Few may also face allergy to aspirin and react to yellow dyes. People with nasal polyps have an increased risk of chronic sinusitis and when nasal polyps become particularly large, they tend to push the nasal bones apart and also broaden the nasal bride which could affect the appearance and self-esteem.

Steroid Medication to Reduce/Shrink Growth

Nasal polyps are treated with steroid medication to reduce or shrink them. Surgery is recommended in case of larger polyps and to those which do not respond to medication the procedure of which is known as endoscopic sinus surgery is carried out with the use of equipment known as endoscope.

The endoscope used at the time of the endoscopic sinus surgery comprises of a rigid, metal tube which has a camera at one end. The camera here provides a clear image of the polyps as well as the nasal passages and the polyps are removed with the use of tiny surgical instruments like a micro debrider, a kind of a revolving motorised saw.

The nasal polyps tend to grow back and based on their original size it could take a few months or years, even after treatment of medication or surgery. People suffering from associated conditions like asthma or aspirin allergies are more prone to have recurring instances of nasal polyps.