If you feel like you always have a cold or stuffy nose, nasal polyps may be the cause. So what are nasal polyps and what can be done about them?
What are nasal polyps?
These soft, swollen, sac-like growths are fairly common, and anyone can have them. They line the inside of the nose and the sinuses, and they can grow large enough to block your sinuses and make it difficult to breathe. Nasal polyps are not cancerous, and they are usually painless.
Researchers still aren’t exactly sure what causes polyps. They are more common in people with chronic sinus infections, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and hay fever. Nasal polyps may also run in families.
What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps would not cause a fever or greenish discharge from your nose. But they can cause a constant feeling like your nose is stuffed up or a constantly runny nose. You may always feel like your sinuses are full, and you may have to breathe through your mouth because your nose feels blocked. You may have a reduced sense of smell or you may even lose your sense of smell completely.
What can be done about nasal polyps?
Your doctor may be able to tell if you have polyps with a simple lighted tool. To diagnose what caused the polyps, you may need a CT scan, an MRI, or a nasal endoscopy.
A steroid medication that you inhale might be recommended; these medications can decrease inflamed polyps. Antihistamines, rinsing the sinuses with a saltwater solution, or allergen immunotherapy may also be recommended, depending on what your doctor thinks is causing the polyps. As a last resort, or if the polyps are very large, surgery may be required.
Nasal polyps can make you feel like you can’t breathe right, which is beyond annoying – but there are also many ways to help you feel better. If you feel like your nose is always stuffy and you don’t know why, it may be nasal polyps! Call Nevada Sinus Relief in Las Vegas, NV, for a consultation. Call (702) 805-1550 for an appointment today!
