| Doctors do not know with absolute certainty | | | | to chronic infection or irritation caused by its |
| what causes nasal polyps to form, but most tend | | | | constant exposure to the nasal air stream. |
| to agree that chronic inflammation in the nasal | | | | Nasal polyps generally look like a rounded grape |
| cavity is what spurs these growths to form | | | | like growth that obstructs the nasal cavity |
| resulting in sinus passage blocking and infections. | | | | blocking drainage passageways which results in |
| There is also some evidence that intolerance to | | | | bacteria growth and infection. While polyp found |
| aspirin increases the chances of developing them | | | | elsewhere on the body may turn cancerous, nasal |
| and that men over the age of 40 are more likely | | | | polyps generally do not and doctors will not |
| to get them than any other non asthmatic group. | | | | normally seek a biopsy when treating a patient |
| Allergies are not thought to be a main cause of | | | | for polyps in the nasal and sinus cavities. |
| polyps since they can occur at the same rate in | | | | There are some medications out there can help a |
| people who do not have nasal allergies then those | | | | person control nasal polyp flare-ups. Corticosteroid |
| who do. | | | | medications such as prednisone or steroid sprays |
| Many physicians point to asthma as one of the | | | | have been used with success. If medication does |
| preconditions for the development of nasal polyps. | | | | not work, then surgery might be necessary. The |
| In his book “The Sinusitis Help Book” Dr. | | | | trouble with polyps is that they have the |
| M. Lee Williams writes: “It is often surprising | | | | tendency to return after being surgically removed. |
| how many asthmatics with sinusitis already have, | | | | A doctor might opt not to perform surgery if the |
| or eventually go on to develop, nasal or sinus | | | | polyp is not causing a serious amount of blockage. |
| polyps, and how much improvement in their | | | | Nasal irrigation is not a procedure that is generally |
| asthma may sometimes result from removing | | | | recommended for people with nasal polyps since |
| the polyps and clearing up their obstructive sinus | | | | the fluid stream of saline solution from the |
| disease.” He continues: “Unfortunately, | | | | procedure could push against the sensitive polyp |
| even after polyps have been removed, more | | | | tissue causing traumatic pain. |
| than one-third of the patients with nasal polyps will | | | | As it is with other obstructions in the nasal |
| have a recurrence of them, and this is especially | | | | cavities such as swollen turbinates or cysts, the |
| true for those with superimposed allergy, | | | | blockage resulting from nasal polyps can lead to |
| frequent sinus infections, repeated colds, asthma, | | | | chronic sinus infections. People who are chronic |
| cystic fibrosis, or aspirin intolerance.” | | | | sinus sufferers should consult their doctor to |
| Unlike a tumor, a polyp is not a separate growth, | | | | determine if they have nasal or sinus polyps. |
| and consists of the same type of tissue as its | | | | Thankfully, many nasal polyps respond well to |
| surrounding area. The polyp may even contain cilia | | | | medications and surgery is generally not |
| and secrete mucous for a while before the tissue | | | | necessary. |
| hardens and flattens and the cilia become lost due | | | | |