Do you also often feel like your nose is blocked? It's like it's hard to breathe, and there's a feeling of mucus? Sometimes we think it's just a common cold. But if this condition persists, the cause may be "nasal polyps" that grow inside your nose. Today, we'll talk about these nasal polyps in a simple way, so that you can understand.
What exactly are nasal polyps?
Simply put, nasal polyps are painless, noncancerous (benign) soft tissue growths that form on the inner lining (mucosa) of the air cavities in and around your nose (we call these sinuses). They look like lumps of flesh. They usually occur on both sides of your nose. When these polyps become inflamed, it can make it very difficult for you to breathe through your nose.
Imagine, the little fleshy leaves are shaped like a teardrop. But when they grow up, they look like a peeled grape. They can be pink, yellow, or gray.
Although this condition can develop in anyone, it is more common in men than in women. It is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 40.
Do you also have these symptoms?
If the bumps inside your nose are very small, you may not experience any symptoms. But when they start to grow, you may start to experience various discomforts. Let's see what these symptoms are.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Nasal congestion | A persistent feeling of nasal congestion, even without a cold. |
| Runny nose | Frequent runny nose. |
| Loss of smell and taste | The ability to sense things like the taste of food or the smell of flowers gradually decreases or disappears completely. |
| Headache and facial pain | Pain or a feeling of heaviness in the forehead, under the eyes, and cheeks due to pressure in the sinus cavities. |
| Postnasal drip | Feeling like mucus from the nose is running down the throat. |
| Snoring | Increased snoring during sleep due to nasal congestion. |
| Nosebleeds | It can happen very rarely. |
What happens if the meatballs get too big?
If the fleshy lump becomes too large and blocks the nasal passages and sinus cavities, more serious problems can occur.
- Frequent exacerbations of asthma in asthma patients .
- Recurrent sinus infections (sinusitis) .
- Sleep problems such as sleep apnea .
- Difficulty breathing even in people who do not have asthma.
Why do these lumps form? What are the risk factors?
As far as doctors know, the main cause of nasal polyps is long-term inflammation . That is, swelling of the tissues inside the nose. However, it is still not clear why some people develop polyps due to this inflammation, while others do not.
However, several risk factors have been identified that may contribute to the development of this condition. This means that if you have these conditions, you are more likely to develop nasal polyps.
- Asthma: This risk is higher for people with asthma.
- Allergic rhinitis: For people who are allergic to things like dust and pollen.
- Chronic sinus infections: Sinusitis that lasts longer than three months.
- Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic condition.
- Hypersensitivity to certain painkillers: For those sensitive to drugs in the `NSAID` group, such as aspirin.
Additionally, it is believed that genetic factors may also play a role in this. This means that if someone in your family has it, you have a small chance of developing it too.
Could this be serious? Possible complications
Most of the time, nasal polyps are not dangerous. However, if sinus infections caused by them are not treated properly, they can rarely lead to serious complications. These include:
- Spread of infection to the bones (osteomyelitis) .
- The formation of infected abscesses that can spread to the eye sockets and brain.
- Infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) .
Although these are very rare, it is important to seek medical advice if nasal symptoms persist.
How do you find this, Doctor?
When you go to see a doctor with these symptoms, the first thing he or she will do is listen carefully to your symptoms.
- They ask what difficulties you are having and how long you have had them.
- Your medical history will be checked to see if you have other conditions, such as asthma or allergies.
- Then, a thin tube (scope) with a camera and light will be used to examine the inside of your nose . This will allow you to clearly see if there are any lumps of flesh.
Sometimes, the doctor may recommend further tests to determine the exact size of the lump and how far it has spread.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography scan)
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
You may also be recommended to undergo allergy testing to see if you have any allergies.
What are the treatments?
Treatment for nasal polyps depends on the severity of your condition. There are two main treatment options: medication and surgery.
Medication
Most of the time, medications cannot completely eliminate warts. However, they can help control symptoms and shrink warts.
- Steroid nasal sprays: These are the most commonly used treatment. They help shrink the nodules and reduce symptoms.
- Oral steroids: Pills such as prednisone are given for a short period of time.
- Biologic medications: Vaccines such as dupilumab. These stimulate the immune system and cause the skin cells to shrink.
If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will also prescribe antibiotics .
Surgery
If medications cannot control the condition, or if the cysts are very large, surgery may be needed to remove them. These are often minor surgeries performed through the nose, without making large incisions.
| Name of the surgery | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Polypectomy | Using very small instruments (such as scissors or a snare) to grasp and remove the fleshy tissue inside the nose. |
| Balloon sinuplasty | A small balloon is inserted through the nose into the sinus cavity and slowly inflated to open blocked passages. Sometimes the flesh is also removed at the same time. |
| FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) | Removing fleshy lumps, diseased tissue, and anything blocking the nasal passages with the help of an endoscope. |
Because all of these surgeries are performed through the nostrils, there will be no scars left on your face.
What happens after treatment? Can these come back?
Yes. This is the most important thing. Although treatment can remove the cysts and make it easier for you to breathe, unfortunately they can come back . Some people may need to continue taking steroid medications or have repeated surgeries.
Also, for those with loss of smell and taste, the condition may not fully recover even after treatment. It is important to talk to your doctor about the expected results for your condition.
Are there ways to prevent it from forming?
Although it can't be completely prevented, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Use the medications your doctor prescribes exactly as directed, especially those for asthma and allergies.
- Avoid inhaling things that cause allergies, such as dust and smoke.
- You can keep your respiratory tract moist by using a humidifier at home to maintain moisture in the air.
- Use a saline nasal spray to keep the inside of your nose clean.
- Maintain good personal hygiene .
When should you definitely see a doctor?
If you have the symptoms we discussed earlier for more than 10 days , definitely see a doctor.
Especially remember: If you see a lump on only one side of your nose, it could be a cancerous growth rather than a normal lump. So, if you see something like that, see a doctor without delay.
You also have these questions... (Frequently Asked Questions)
Will these fleshy leaves go away on their own?
Sometimes small warts can shrink on their own over time. But most of the time, they don't go away completely. People with severe symptoms definitely need treatment.
Can you see these when you look inside your nose?
You usually can't see these with a mirror, but if they get very large, a doctor may be able to see them without a special instrument (nasoscope).
Can't these be removed at home?
Absolutely not! Do not attempt to remove these at home for any reason or under any circumstances. Doing so can lead to serious injuries, excessive bleeding, and serious infections. Only seek the help of a qualified doctor for this.
Nasal polyps can make you feel like your nose is constantly blocked. If left untreated, breathing difficulties can increase and can eventually lead to bone and tissue damage. So if you have these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Nasal polyps are noncancerous, painless growths of tissue, but they can cause a number of problems, including difficulty breathing.
- If you have symptoms such as frequent nasal congestion and loss of smell and taste for more than 10 days, be sure to seek medical advice.
- People with asthma, allergies, and chronic sinus infections are at higher risk of developing this condition.
- They can be successfully treated with medication and surgery, but there is a chance of recurrence.
- Never try to remove these at home. It is very dangerous.
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