What Are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are polypoidal masses arising mainly from the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
They are overgrowths of the mucosa that frequently accompany allergic rhinitis, and are freely movable and nontender.
Types Of Nasal Polyps:
There are two major types of nasal polyps.
- Antrochoanal
- Single, Unilateral
- Can originate from maxillary sinus
- Usually found in children
- Ethmoidal
- Bilateral
- Usually found in adults
Cause Of Nasal Polyps:
Scientists are yet to find a definite cause for development of nasal polyps. Currently, it is a dilemma as to why some people develop it while others don’t.
However, there are a number of conditions associated with nasal polyps.
They include:
- Asthma,
- Aspirin sensitivity
- Allergic fungal sinusitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Churg Strauss syndrome
Symptoms Of Nasal Polyps:
The following symptoms are common in those who develop nasal polyps:
- A runny nose
- Persistent stuffiness
- Postnasal drip
- Decreased or absent sense of smell
- Loss of sense of taste
- Facial pain or headache
- Pain in your upper teeth
- A sense of pressure over your forehead and face
- Snoring
- Itching around your eyes
Diagnosis Of Nasal Polyps:
Diagnosis can be made on the basis of answering questions about one’s symptoms.
Other than this, the following tests also confirm diagnoses of nasal polyps:
- Nasal endoscopy
- Imaging studies.
- CT scan
- MRI
- Allergy tests
- Test for cystic fibrosis
Treatment Of Nasal Polyps:
Treatment for nasal polyps can be divided into two categories.
- Medications
- Nasal corticosteroids.
- fluticasone (Flonase, Veramyst),
- budesonide (Rhinocort),
- flunisolide,
- mometasone (Nasonex),
- triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ)
- beclomethasone (Qnasl, Beconase AQ)
- Ciclesonide (Omnaris, Zetonna).
- Oral and injectable corticosteroids
- Other medications.
- antihistamines
- antibiotics
- Aspirin desensitization
- Surgery
- Endoscopic surgery
By : Natural Health News
