| Nasal polyps are soft, jelly-like overgrowths | | | | Nose sprays are the most effective because |
| occurring in the lining of sinuses. They appear as | | | | they allow easy topical application of medication to |
| grayish grape-like mass in the nasal cavity. Polyps | | | | the infected areas. |
| in the nose and sinuses are rarely malignant. But | | | | Other treatment options include: |
| large polyps can cause nasal blockage, making it | | | | - Surgical removal – the polyp is extracted |
| hard to breathe. Even so, most nasal polyp | | | | surgically from the affected area. Removing the |
| problems can be helped. | | | | polyps with surgery usually allows people to |
| Nasal polyps occur in around 1 in 200 people. Most | | | | breathe easier through the nose. The surgery |
| of the time, the cause is never known. Some | | | | lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The |
| may be a result of swelling from a sinus infection. | | | | surgery can be done under general or local |
| Other factors like asthma or aspirin sensitivity and | | | | anaesthesia, and the polyps are removed using |
| allergies may also trigger polyps and make them | | | | endoscopic surgery. Recovery from this type of |
| grow faster. Also, the chance of reoccurrence is | | | | surgery is anywhere from one to three weeks. |
| greater even after sinus operations. | | | | However, there is a risk of re-growth in 50% of |
| Polyps block the nose, and in most cases there is | | | | patients. |
| a decrease in the sense of smell. Since much of | | | | - Cortisone or steroids - the polyp will shrink down |
| our sense of taste is related to our sense of | | | | temporarily and slow down polyp growth. |
| smell, patients with polyp may describe a loss of | | | | Cortisone cannot be taken long term because of |
| both taste and smell. | | | | high risk of side effects. |
| Nasal obstruction can also occur - the pathways | | | | - Sinus Rinse or Nasal Lavage - Sinus rinses with |
| where the sinuses drain into the nose can be | | | | warm water mixed with a small amount of salt |
| blocked by polyp. This would cause the mucous to | | | | can be very helpful to clear sinuses. This method |
| remain in the sinuses, causing congestion. It can | | | | can also be used as a preventive measure to |
| also cause pressure over the forehead and face. | | | | discourage the polyps from growing back and |
| When mucous is in the sinuses too long, there is a | | | | should be used in combination with a nasal steroid. |
| high risk of infection. | | | | - Allergy desensitization injections- sometimes |
| Although most people with nasal polyps have no | | | | used in allergic patients with hay fever and polyps. |
| symptoms and require no treatment, those who | | | | While this often helps with hay fever and |
| do experience symptoms have different | | | | therefore reduces the fever’s negative |
| treatment options. | | | | effects on the polyps, there is no guarantee that |
| If the polyps are a result of a sinus infection, they | | | | the injections help shrink the polyps directly. |
| often will be treated as how sinusitis symptoms | | | | - Although there is no real way to prevent or |
| are treated. Aggressive medical treatment of | | | | eliminate nasal polyps completely, therapy aimed |
| sinus infection is helpful to treat polyp growths. | | | | at the cause can help. |