Nasal and sinus polyps are growths that occur in the sinuses and nasal passages. They are not cancerous and form from the soft tissues that line the inside of the nasal passages and sinuses. Typically painless, they can become a problem if they grow large enough to obstruct the nasal passages, leading to trouble breathing and potential for infection.
Nasal polyps usually get bigger if they are inflamed. They can appear on either side of the nose, and usually develop as people begin to reach their 30s and 40s.
The most common symptoms of nasal polyps include:
Not all nasal polyps cause symptoms. People typically experience symptoms once nasal polyps have grown to a certain size.
Nasal polyps are caused by an increase in inflammation in the mucous membranes caused by frequent infection and/or allergies. Prolonged inflammation leads to the formation of polyps.
Risk factors for nasal polyps include asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis (long-term sinus infection that affects the nose and throat), a lack of Vitamin D, cystic fibrosis, and certain allergies.
Your doctor will diagnose nasal polyps using your medical history, current symptoms, and a physical examination. During a physical examination, your doctor may use an endoscope, a long, thin, and flexible tube with a camera and a light attached to look up your nose. Your doctor may also order a computerised tomography scan to better visualise any suspected nasal polyps.
Other diagnostic tests that your doctor may perform include:
Complications of nasal polyps include sleep apnoea, sinus infections, and asthma flare-ups.
Nasal polyps typically require a long-term treatment plan due to the irritation that caused the polyps in the first place. Medications that help reduce inflammation, congestion, and the size of the polyps themselves are all prescribed to help manage nasal polyps. In some cases, surgical removal of the polyps is necessary to open up the nasal passageways.
There are many ways to help minimise the chances of getting nasal polyps. These include:
While it’s impossible to entirely prevent nasal polyps from developing, there’s a lot you can do at home to reduce the risk. Taking preventative measures is important even if you’ve already had nasal polyps, as the probability of reoccurrence is high.