Nasal polyps are tear-shaped, noncancerous growths on the lining of the nose and sinuses. While they can be worrying, they’re usually harmless and don’t require removal unless they start causing symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?
If your nasal polyps grow large enough, they can obstruct the nasal passage, leading to the following symptoms:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Loss of taste and smell
- Nosebleeds
- Sinus pressure
- Snoring
- Postnasal drip (mucus collecting at the back of the throat)
- Headaches
- Frequent sinus infections
People with asthma may also experience more frequent asthma attacks.
Why Do Nasal Polyps Grow?
Inflammation causes nasal polyps, but we don’t have a clear answer as to why some people with inflammation develop them and others don’t. Patients with chronic sinus infections seem to be the most likely to develop the polyps, but there are a few other risk factors:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Sensitivity to NSAIDs (medications used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever)
- Cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease that causes thick mucus build-up in the body)
- Age (they’re more common in young and middle-aged adults)
You might notice more nasal polyps during allergy or cold seasons, as the heightened inflammation can trigger their development more frequently. For example, a simple walk in Roger’s Park during peak pollen season could expose you to allergens that increase nasal irritation and raise the risk of polyps.
How Can I Remove Nasal Polyps?
In most cases, nasal polyps don’t require removal. However, if they start to cause symptoms or you find them uncomfortable, your ENT specialist may recommend medications, like steroid nasal sprays, oral steroids and dupilumab injections, to shrink polyps and improve symptoms.
If medication can’t shrink the polyps, your next step is surgery. Standard surgeries include:
- Polypectomy. During a polypectomy, your specialist will use small surgical scissors or snares to grab and remove polyps.
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). During FESS, your specialist will use an endoscope (a thin rod with a light and camera) and small tools to remove polyps and fix any structural issues causing inflammation.
- Balloon Sinuplasty. During Balloon Sinuplasty, your specialist will use a small, inflated balloon to widen and unblock the nasal passages to reduce inflammation. They may also remove polyps during the procedure.
If your nasal polyps are bothering you or you develop frequent sinus infections, contact Southeast Texas Ear, Nose & Throat, LLP today to schedule an evaluation with one of our specialists.
