Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of
your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or
grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are associated with
asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain
immune disorders.
Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of
nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or lead to breathing
problems, a lost sense of smell and frequent infections.
Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but they’re more common in adults.
Medications can often shrink or eliminate nasal polyps, but surgery is
sometimes needed to remove them. Even after successful treatment,
nasal polyps often return.
Symptoms
Nasal polyps are associated with irritation and swelling
(inflammation) of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses that
lasts more than 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis).
However, it’s possible to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps themselves are soft and lack sensation, so if they’re
small, you may not be aware you have them. Multiple growths or a large
polyp may block your nasal passages and sinuses.
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps
include: A runny nose, persistent stuffiness, postnasal drip,
decreased or absent sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, facial
pain or headache, pain in your upper teeth, a sense of pressure over
your forehead and face, snoring andย frequent nosebleeds
*You may help reduce your chances of developing nasal polyps or having
nasal polyps recur after treatment with the following strategies:
Manage allergies and asthma, avoid nasal irritants, practice good
hygiene, humidify your home, use a nasal rinse, use water that’s
distilled.
