How to Manage Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps can be irritating and painful – but what are they and how can you treat them? Here’s a look at what causes polyps in the nasal passages and how you can manage the symptoms in the long term.
What Are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are painless, small growths which develop along the nasal passages and sinuses. They typically appear inside both nasal passages – lumps or cysts confined to one side could be caused by other issues which require medical investigation.
What Causes Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps have many causes, but they’re often caused by irritation, swelling, and inflammation in the sinus cavities. Risk factors for developing nasal polyps include:
- chronic allergies and asthma
- chronic rhinosinusitis
- cystic fibrosis
Many times, though, it’s unclear what causes nasal polyps to develop.
What Are the Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?
The symptoms depend on how many polyps you have and how large they are, but here are the most common signs to look out for.
- Chronic stuffy nose
- Facial pain over your sinuses
- Headaches
- Postnasal drip
- Pressure in your nose or sinuses
- Reduced sense of smell or taste
- Runny nose
- Snoring
If you have asthma, you may notice more frequent asthma attacks if you also have nasal polyps.
It can be hard to tell whether you just have a cold, nasal polyps, or chronic sinusitis. Consult a doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days for a diagnosis. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties
- Double vision
- High fever
- Increasingly painful headaches
- Severe swelling around your face or eyes
Do Nasal Polyps Always Cause Symptoms?
No. Small polyps – and even some larger growths – won’t cause symptoms if they’re not blocking the nasal cavity. Treatment may not be required if your polyps aren’t noticeable.
Who Gets Nasal Polyps?
Anyone can get them. However, they are more commonly found in adults. They’re very unusual in children aged 10 or younger.
If you have nasal or respiratory inflammation – such as inflammation caused by asthma – you may be more prone to developing them.
Are There Treatments Available?
Treatment is normally aimed at reducing nasal inflammation which can help to shrink the growths. Treatment options include nasal steroids, oral steroids, and sinus surgery to remove the polyps in some cases.
Do Nasal Polyps Always Require Surgery?
Not always. Surgery is typically only recommended if more conservative treatments – such as nasal sprays – don’t work or if polyps seriously affect your quality of life.
How Can I Properly Manage Nasal Polyps?
Although it’s impossible to prevent these polyps, there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and improve how you feel.
- Use nasal rinses: Nasal irrigation using a sterile wash or salt solution can remove irritants from your nasal passages, which could make you feel more comfortable.
- Control your asthma: Effective asthma management is crucial if you have nasal polyps. Contact Asthmaniac for help controlling your asthma which will in turn reduce inflammation in your airways.
- Use a humidifier: Humidifiers can moisten the air around your home, which might improve your symptoms by making it easier for mucus to move through your sinuses.
- Wash your hands regularly: Colds, flus, and other viruses can irritate your nasal passages. Although you can’t avoid pathogens completely, regular hand washing – and avoiding touching your face – can reduce your risk of exposure
Over-the-counter medications, like nasal sprays and anti-allergy medication, may also help you manage your symptoms.
Symptom management can sometimes depend on the underlying cause of your polyps. Book a consultation with us if you have asthma and you’re concerned that it’s not under effective control.
Who Can Help With Management of Nasal Polyps?
Consulting a doctor should be your first step if you’re trying to control nasal polyps.
If you have asthma and suffer from nasal polyps, Asthmaniac can help. As your online asthma doctor, we’re committed to helping you manage your condition so you feel in control of your breathing. Whether you need an appointment quickly or a prescription for new asthma medication, Asthmaniac is here for you.
Call today or book online to schedule a consultation!
Do Nasal Polyps Cause Complications?
If the polyps block your air flow, they can make it harder for you to breathe comfortably. You may develop more frequent asthma attacks, and the chronic inflammation can make you more susceptible to sinus infections.
Careful nasal polyps management can reduce the risk of complications, but there’s always the chance that polyps will worsen or come back after treatment.
Do you need more help with your symptoms? Learn how to manage nasal polyps.
All Posts
- 7 Myths About Asthma
- 6 Signs Your Asthma Is Getting Worse
- How to Manage Nasal Polyps
- How to Use an Inhaler Correctly
- Tezspire for Breathing Your Best!
- Asthma Proof Your Home: Identify the Hot Spots
- Navigating Asthmaniac.com!
- Climate Change: How It Can Affect People with Allergies and Asthma
- How Can Asthmaniac Address Your Asthma Concerns?
- High-Deductible Health Plan? Online Asthma Is Perfect!
- No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!
- Is Your Asthma e-Asthma? New Medicine!
- Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!
- NEVER run Out of Asthma Inhaler Medicine!
- Asthmaniac Uses ePrescriptions for Your Medicine!
- Asthma Management Guidelines 2020 Focused Update: What’s In It For You?
- Asthma Rescue Inhalers Are Crucial in Asthma Control!
- Do You Need an Asthma Controller Medication?
- What is an MDI Spacer and Why Do You Need One?
- Children and Asthma: Different from Adult Asthma?
7 Myths About Asthma
Asthma is incredibly common. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 25 million sufferers in the US alone. But despite how prevalent asthma is, there are still many myths out there. Here’s a breakdown of common asthma myths and...
6 Signs Your Asthma Is Getting Worse
If you have asthma, you might be used to coughing and wheezing sometimes. And if you have severe asthma, you may experience breathing difficulties more often than sufferers with a milder condition. That being said, your body will give you signs if your...
How to Use an Inhaler Correctly
If you have an inhaler, you need to know how to use it properly to get the most benefit from your asthma medicine. Below, we cover the main types of inhalers and how to use them effectively. What Is an Inhaler? An inhaler helps to prevent asthma attacks...
Tezspire for Breathing Your Best!
Tezspire Is a game-changer for Asthma Control At its core, asthma is a disease of inflammation. That inflammation is concentrated in the breathing tubes (bronchi) of the lungs. This inflammation drives constriction of the bronchi, causing...
Asthma Proof Your Home: Identify the Hot Spots
If you have asthma, it's important to asthma-proof your home. This means identifying and removing asthma triggers from your environment. Many people don't know how to asthma-proof their homes, but it's not difficult. In this blog post, we will discuss how...
Navigating Asthmaniac.com!
Navigating Asthmaniac to Find Your Best Asthma Control Asthmaniac.com is a fully digital asthma clinic designed to deliver physician consultation, disease assessment, patient education, medical refills, and follow-up care. This is different than making an...