Nasal polyps

Face | Otorhinolaryngology | Nasal polyps (Disease)


Description

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation due to asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders.

Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or lead to breathing problems, a lost sense of smell, and frequent infections.

Causes and Risk factors

Scientists dont yet fully understand what causes nasal polyps. Its not clear why some people develop chronic inflammation or why ongoing inflammation triggers polyp formation in some people and not in others. The inflammation occurs in the fluid-producing lining (mucous membrane) of your nose and sinuses. Theres some evidence that people who develop polyps have a different immune system response and different chemical markers in their mucous membranes than do those who dont develop polyps.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but theyre more common in adults. Medications can often shrink or eliminate nasal polyps, but surgery is sometimes needed to remove them. Even after successful treatment, nasal polyps often return. ...