Prevention Of Nasal Polyps

Nasal Polyps General Information

Nasal Polyps is the generic medical term used to denominate a category of polypoidal, typically benign masses that grow from the mucous lining of the nose and sinuses. They are mucosal overgrowths that are commonly encountered in patients that also suffer from allergic rhinitis. There are two types of polyps. Ethmoidal polyps are the most commonly encountered type, and they develop from the ethmoidal sinuses. Generally, they are bilateral and multiple. The second type of Nasal Polyps, the antrochoanal polyps, grow from the maxilliary sinuses and are much less frequently encountered. These polyps are characterized by the fact that they are unilateral and develop as single growths.

While the exact pathogenesis of the polyps is not known at this time, the most common assumption is that they are caused by allergies and in rare cases by cystic fibrosis. However, in many cases their development is associated with non-allergic asthma in adult patients. Their presence may cause symptoms such as sinusitis, nasal block, loss of smell, snoring and headaches. In rare cases, the polyps grow uncontrollably leading to the disfiguration of the patient.

Such growths may be encountered in patients of all ages; however studies have revealed that the highest incidence rates are found in adults over the age of 40 and in children that suffer from medical conditions such as hay fever, asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic infections of the sinuses.

Prevention Of Nasal Polyps

Prevention Of Nasal Polyps is not always possible. However, some methods may be employed to reduce the risk of developing such polypoidal growths from developing. As such, patients suffering from medical conditions that affect the respiratory tract, such as hay fever, asthma of chronic infections of the sinuses are advised to always pay proper attention to managing the symptoms of the affections, in order to prevent and / or reduce any breathing problems or nasal congestions that may occur, favoring the appearance of polyps. In most cases, this is performed by taking the appropriate medication for each particular medical condition while closely following the therapy schedule that has been prescribed by the examining health care professional, and at the same time avoiding any possible allergenic, irritant or pollutant factors both outdoors and indoors.

Also for the Prevention Of Nasal Polyps, patients that suffer from mild cases of nasal congestion might employ the use of saline solutions to irrigate the sinuses, in order to relieve the congestion and eliminate the excess mucus. Not all saline sprays that may be purchased without a prescription are appropriate for such procedures, as some contain additives (for example Benzalkonium) which instead of relieving the symptoms may cause or exacerbate an inflammation of the mucosa thus leading to an aggravation of the patient’s condition. Over-the-counter saline solutions that do not contain any preservatives are appropriate for use in the Prevention Of Nasal Polyps.

Saline solutions for the irrigation of the sinuses may also be made at home. The patient should always seek the advice of his or her personal health care professional before attempting to use such a mixture in the Prevention Of Nasal Polyps, as there may be certain factors such as the patient’s medical history and general health condition, among others, that may prevent a person from using such a solution. In some cases, the health care provider may recommend a different product or mixture to use. If you are using home made saline solutions in the Prevention Of Nasal Polyps, it is highly advised that you do not use any solution more than 24 hours after preparing it. Instead, discard the substance and prepare a new solution using the same procedure.

Nasal Polyps Treatment

The treatment for patients that present one or more Nasal Polyps typically consists in the administration of nasal sprays containing corticosteroid medication such as Mometasone, Budesonide, Flunisolide, Triamcinolone or Fluticasone, as they increase the airflow and reduce inflammation of the mucosa. In some cases, the corticosteroid medication may shrink the polyps. There are some side effects associated with the use of corticosteroid based nasal sprays; however the symptoms are less severe than in the case of oral steroids. The patient may experience headaches, nosebleeds and sore throat, but these symptoms are rarely severe and typically go away after a few days as the body adjusts to the medication. In some cases, the examining health care professional may prescribe a treatment with a different type of drug, such as antifungal medication, allergy or infection control medication or an oral steroid. Typically, the decision to adopt an alternative means of treatment is based on the patient’s intolerance to the nasal sprays; however other factors may be present as well.

In some cases, the Nasal Polyps do not respond to medication. The examining health care professional may recommend the surgical removal of the polyps in order to restore the patient’s health. In people that suffer from cystic fibrosis who have intolerance to steroids, this is the only treatment plan available. There are two surgical procedures that may be employed, depending on the polyps’ location, number and size – polypectomy (usually employed in the case of isolated or small polyps) and endoscopic sinus surgery – however in the case of both procedures, there is always a possibility that the patient will be affected by this condition again in the future.