Nasal polyps: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What are nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps or nasal polyps are soft tissue growths that occur in the nasal passages or sinuses. Generally, the tissue appears in the sinuses leading to the nasal cavity.

The tissue or lump is usually harmless, painless, and does not have the potential to develop cancer cells. They also vary in size, from as small as corn kernels to grapes.

The appearance of this nasal disorder is caused by chronic inflammation related to asthma, recurrent infections, allergies, sensitivity to certain drugs, or certain immune problems.

Small polyps generally do not show significant symptoms and do not require special medical treatment. However, polyps with a larger size have the potential to clog the respiratory tract and drain mucus from the sinuses.

If too much mucus builds up in the sinuses, breathing can be impaired, your sense of smell decreases, and infection can develop. Nasal polyps can be treated with medical treatment and surgery. However, it is possible that the polyps may reappear at a later time.

How common are nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a fairly common condition. This condition can occur in people of various age groups, but the incidence rate is more common in patients aged 20-40 years and over. It is very rare for children under 10 years of age to experience this condition.

In addition, this disease affects male patients more than women, although the exact cause is not known. This disease can also affect individuals from various social classes and racial groups.

Nasal polyps are a condition that can be treated by recognizing the risk factors that are present. However, polyps are likely to reappear at any time after healing, with a 50% chance. To find out more information about this disease, you can consult a doctor.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of nasal polyps?

Polyps that appear on the nose are soft tissue that doesn't hurt. Generally, polyps appear at the top of the sinuses where the nasal cavity meets (around the eyes, nose, and cheekbones).

You may not feel a polyp because the tissue doesn't have many nerves. People who have polyps tend to suffer from inflammation or chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract and sinuses (chronic sinusitis).

However, this does not mean that everyone with inflammation of the respiratory tract or chronic sinusitis has polyps. The polyp that appears can be one or more lumps.

Lumps on the nose can potentially block your respiratory tract and sinuses. Some sufferers do not feel any signs and symptoms.

However, there are also common symptoms of nasal polyps that may appear in some sufferers:

• Runny or runny nose
• The nose continues to feel full or blocked
• Difficulty breathing due to nasal congestion
• Sleep disturbance
• Reduced or lost sense of smell
• Post-nasal drip (nasal discharge feels like running down your throat)
• Pressure or pain in the forehead and face
• Headache
• Itching around the eyes
• Snoring
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Pain in the upper teeth

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about the appearance of a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

According to the Mayo Clinic, if symptoms and signs last more than 10 days, you should see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps are sometimes similar to other health problems, such as common fever.

However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible:

• Serious respiratory distress
• The symptoms and signs are getting worse
• Double vision, reduced or unable to move the eyeball
• Swelling around the eyes
• The headache increases, is accompanied by high fever and the inability to move the head forward
• Difficulty breathing
• Symptoms get worse suddenly
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision, reduced vision or limited eye movement
• Severe swelling around the eyes
• Increased headache accompanied by high fever and inability to move the head forward

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes nasal polyps?

Until now, the exact cause of nasal polyps is still unknown to experts. No one has yet been able to figure out what triggers long-term inflammation, and why inflammation can cause polyps to appear.

Experts believe that inflammation and swelling of the nose can cause mucus to build up in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Over time, the cells in the nose will decrease due to the force of gravity. That's what might cause polyps to appear.

In addition, experts also believe that the main trigger for the appearance of polyps is a viral infection, bacteria, allergies, or an immune response to the presence of fungi.

This condition also often appears in people who suffer from the following health problems:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergy)
• Asthma (as much as 20-50% of people with polyps)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Fungal allergic sinusitis (allergic fungal sinusitis)
• Ciliary dyskinesia
• Churg-Strauss Syndrome
• Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)

Risk factors

What increases my risk for this condition?

Nasal polyps are a condition that can affect anyone of all ages and racial groups. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this condition.

Having any or all of the risk factors does not mean that you will definitely develop this disease. There is also a low chance of polyps growing on your body even though you don't have any of the risk factors.

The following are the risk factors that trigger this condition:

1. Age

This disease is more common in patients aged 20 to 40 years and over. Children under 10 years of age rarely experience this condition.

2. Gender

Although the exact cause is not known, this condition has a higher incidence rate in male patients than in female patients.

3. Suffering from asthma

As many as 20 to 50 percent of people with polyps usually have asthma. So. if you have chronic asthma, your risk for suffering from this condition is higher.

4.Sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Eight to 26% of patients with nasal polyps are intolerant or sensitive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and aspirin.

Therefore, if you are being treated with NSAIDs, there is a possibility that you will develop polyps in your body.

5. Alcohol intolerance

As many as 50% of people who have polyps are also sensitive or intolerant to alcohol. If you are among those who consume alcohol excessively, your chances of having this condition are even greater.

6. Suffering from sinusitis

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis and fungal allergic sinusitis (AFS), you are likely to suffer from these diseases. As many as 85% of people with polyps are also patients with fungal allergic sinusitis.

7. Suffer cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the production of mucus and fluids in the body. If you suffer from this medical disorder, your risk of developing polyps in the body is higher.

8. Have Churg-Strauss syndrome

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare disease that affects the human blood vessels. As many as 50% of people with Churg-Strauss syndrome have polyps in their nose.

Therefore, your risk of having polyps is higher if you have this syndrome.

9. Vitamin D deficiency

You also have the potential to develop polyps if your body is deficient or deficient in vitamin D.

Complications

What are the complications that can be caused by nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps can cause other health problems in the body. This is because the appearance of polyps can block the respiratory tract and drain fluid or mucus.

In addition, the long-term irritation and inflammation that triggers the appearance of polyps can also cause health problems.

The following are complications that can potentially occur:

1.Sleep disturbance (sleep apnea)

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, in which the sufferer stops breathing during sleep. People who have polyps have the potential to suffer sleep apnea obstructive type.

2. Asthma gets worse

If you already have chronic asthma and polyps appear in your nose at some point in time, there is a chance that your asthma will get worse.

3. Sinus infection

The appearance of tissue in the respiratory tract and sinuses also makes your nose more susceptible to sinus infections. Even though it has been cured, the infection has the potential to come back at a later time.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are nasal polyps diagnosed?

If you begin to feel the signs and symptoms that have been previously mentioned, you should immediately see a doctor.

During the exam, the doctor will ask you what symptoms you are experiencing, do a thorough examination, then examine the inside of your nose.

In some cases, polyps will be immediately visible using a simple flashlight. However, for a more accurate diagnosis, your doctor will recommend several additional tests:

1. Nasal endoscopy

If the polyp is located inside your sinuses, your doctor may perform an endoscopic procedure on your nose.

In this procedure, the doctor will use a small tube equipped with a light and camera. The tube will be inserted into the inside of your nose.

With an endoscopy, your doctor can clearly see the inside of your respiratory tract, especially your sinuses.

2. Image test

Shooting test like computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging Your doctor may also order an MRI scan to get a more detailed picture of the inside of your nose.

CT and MRI scans can help doctors determine the location and size of the polyp. In addition, both procedures can help the doctor determine if the tissue growing in the nose is a sign of a serious abnormality, such as the growth of cancer cells.

3. Allergy test

The purpose of an allergy test is to determine the triggers for inflammation of the nose. The test is done by sticking an allergen (a potential allergen) into your arm or back.

After that, the doctor or medical team will analyze the allergic reactions that appear on your skin.

4. Test for cystic fibrosis

This test is usually done on people with polyps who are still children. This is because cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease. This test is done by taking a sweat sample to be examined in the laboratory.

5. Blood test

To find out whether your body is deficient in vitamin D or not, your doctor will take a sample of your blood.

How is this condition treated?

The main goal of treatment for nasal polyps is to reduce their size or remove them. The treatment that usually takes precedence is giving drugs.

The following are treatment options for nasal polyps:

• Nasal corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide, triamcinolone)
• Oral and injectable corticosteroids (prednisone)
• Chronic sinusitis medication (dupilumab)
• Other medications (antibiotics and antihistamines)

Nasal polyp surgery is another alternative, if medication doesn't help. However, sometimes polyps can come back.

The type of surgery that is performed depends on how large the polyp is. Here are the types:

• Polypectomy
• Endoscopic sinus surgery

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat nasal polyps?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with this condition:

1. Overcoming allergies and asthma

Always follow the doctor's recommendations and recommendations for dealing with your allergies or asthma. If the symptoms still appear frequently, you can consult a doctor to change the type of treatment.

2. Avoid nasal irritants

As much as possible, avoid substances or the environment that can trigger irritation to your nose, such as allergens, cigarette smoke, motor vehicle fumes, or dust. Always use a mask when you travel.

3. Maintain body cleanliness

Washing your hands regularly and taking a clean shower can help protect the body from bacterial or viral infections.

4. Install air humidifier at home

Moist air can help clear up your respiratory tract and mucus flow in your sinuses. Apart from that, put up air humidifier also helps prevent the growth of bacteria and germs in the house.

5. Use saline spray for the nose

You can use salt water spray or saline to clear your nasal passages. In this way, the mucus flow in your nose will be smoother, so you will avoid inflammation or irritation.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.