Nasal polyps: symptoms, causes, treatment

Nasal polyps are oval or round shaped growths. They occur against the background of chronic inflammation and are benign in nature. Nasal polyps make it difficult for a person to breathe and require immediate treatment.

Causes of nasal polyps

Polyps are formed due to the development of an inflammatory process, as a result of which the nasal mucosa is injured. Various reasons can provoke such inflammation:

• frequent infectious diseases and colds, which are accompanied by a runny nose;
• acquired or congenital immune deficiency;
• foci of infections occurring in the nasal cavity;
• individual sensitivity to various types of stimuli ( allergies);
• certain diseases, such as asthma or aspirin intolerance;
• hypothermia, as well as sudden climate change.

In addition, smokers and alcohol drinkers, as well as people who are susceptible to depression or often experience stress, are at risk.

Depending on the location of development, there are two types of polyps. In adults, they usually appear on both sides of the nose, but in children, polyps usually grow on only one side.

Symptoms of nasal polyps

The development of a nasal polyp consists of several stages:

• The first stage is characterized by nasal congestion as the tissue begins to grow. The danger of this stage is that the polyp begins to compress the vessels of the mucous membrane. At this time, the tonsils may begin to become inflamed, and otitis media, tonsillitis, and sore throat may appear.
• In the second stage, the patient begins to lose his sense of smell. A person may begin to sneeze for no reason, a nasal tone appears, and a tickling sensation in the nose appears. In addition, frequent headaches appear and the person feels a general malaise. Sometimes the ears begin to become blocked, which indicates that the polyp has grown to the auditory tubes, which are located in the nasopharynx.
• The third stage is a continuation of the second, only the symptoms are more severe. The patient completely loses his sense of smell, headaches torment him more and more often, and his temperature periodically rises. If polyps develop against the background of aspirin intolerance or bronchial asthma, asthma attacks may occur.

If you notice any symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-treatment in such cases is contraindicated.

Nasal polyps in children

U   In children, problems with nasal polyps occur especially often. This is due to the weak immunity of children. It cannot fight microbes on its own, so the body’s tissues do it themselves. As a result, polyps begin to develop. As a rule, the causes of polyps in children are as follows:

Hereditary predisposition.

• Deviation of the nasal septum. Such injuries occur especially often in boys.
• Allergic rhinitis. In this case, you need to find and eliminate the source of the allergy as quickly as possible.
• Frequent infections. Babies are prone to infectious diseases, and due to frequent runny nose, a large number of leukocytes accumulate on the mucous membrane.
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If the polyp grows, it can shorten a person’s life by as much as six years. Therefore, it is important to contact an ENT specialist as early as possible and carry out appropriate treatment.

Treatment of nasal polyps

Treatment of polyps is carried out using various methods. In the most serious cases, surgery is prescribed. This happens if there is constant bleeding from the nose, snoring or asthma attacks, or if the nose is completely blocked by growths. To remove polyps, doctors may resort to operations such as endoscopy, laser removal, polypotomy, which uses a special hook for removal, and surgery that uses a shaver.

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In other cases, drug treatment is carried out. The patient may be prescribed antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as drugs to enhance immunity.

Traditional medicine methods are also often used. Such treatment can only be carried out with the permission of a doctor. Here are some well-known folk remedies:

• Propolis. This drug, beloved by many, is also effective in the fight against polyps. To do this, pieces of cotton wool are soaked in propolis ointment and left in the nose for a long time, preferably overnight.
• Celandine. This is an excellent remedy against bacteria, so drops of celandine will also help with polyps.
• Decoctions and infusions of chamomile and calendula. These medicinal herbs relieve inflammation and improve immunity.

To prevent the appearance of polyps, you need to take preventive measures, because curing the disease is much more difficult. First of all, you need to monitor your diet, which should contain a maximum of vitamins.

In addition, it is important to constantly monitor your health and protect yourself from hypothermia and colds. If, nevertheless, an infection has entered the body, it is necessary to eliminate its source as quickly as possible. Pay more attention to the prevention of colds: visit the bathhouse more often, choose a good complex of vitamins.

Protection from stressful situations also plays an important role. It’s not for nothing that they say that all diseases are caused by nerves: healthy optimism and a calm attitude towards life will help not only save your psyche, but also get rid of many internal diseases.

Finally, you should visit your doctor regularly. The specialist will monitor your health and help determine a strategy for further treatment.

Of course, polyps are an unpleasant disease. Nevertheless, timely measures will allow you to recover and avoid complications.