Home | Health | Signs, Diagnosis, And Prevention Of Nasal Polyps

Signs, diagnosis, and prevention of nasal polyps

Signs, diagnosis, and prevention of nasal polyps

If you have been facing difficulty while breathing or feel that your sense of smell or taste has decreased, chances are that you may have nasal polyps. Though it is a common health condition, knowing more about it is necessary, not just because it causes discomfort; one-sided nasal polyps growth may indicate a cancerous tumor. Read further to learn more about nasal polyps, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and lines of treatment.

Nasal polyps
They are soft, benign, and painless growths on the lining of sinuses or nasal passages. They are sac-like in appearance and vary in size and shape. Sinuses are located inside the facial bones and are air-filled spaces. They are connected to your nasal cavity and help you breathe. Nasal polyps, especially when they grow in size, act as obstructions, cause trouble breathing, and usually affect both sides of your nasal passages. According to the research, 4% of people worldwide suffer from this condition .

Causes
Although the exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown until now, it is attributed to long-term or recurrent inflammation of the mucus membranes of the sinuses or the nasal passages. It is often caused due to conditions such as asthma, long-term sinus infections, cystic fibrosis, sensitivity to aspirin, allergic fungal sinusitis (caused due to fungi in the air), vitamin D deficiency, abnormal inflammation of the blood vessels caused due to Churg-Strauss Syndrome, or a family history of nasal polyps. Age is also a contributing factor. People over 40 are more likely to be affected by this condition.

Symptoms
When they start to form, nasal polyps may not present any apparent signs and symptoms. Signs begin to show when they increase in size or occur at multiple points in your nasal passages. Still, the signs and symptoms of this condition may vary from person to person. Some of these symptoms that you should look out for include postnasal drip, decrease or loss of the sense of smell or taste, runny nose, difficulty breathing through the nose, and itching around the eyes. Other indicators are chronic cough, pain in the facial area, recurrent headaches, nosebleeds, pain in the upper jaw or teeth, a feeling of pressure in the forehead region, sudden snoring, or a blocked nose that may make your voice sound different.

Complications
When nasal polyps are not treated in time, they may cause several complications. It usually happens as they become bigger or grow in clusters. Some of the complications may include the following –

  • Chronic or frequent infections of the sinuses
  • Sudden severe trouble breathing.
  • Double vision
  • Inability or reduced ability to move the eyes around
  • Excessive swelling around your eyes.
  • Severe and recurrent headaches, often accompanied by high fever
  • Inability to tilt the head forward

Other rare but possible complications of not treating nasal polyps in time could be meningitis or osteitis. Besides this, if you have one-sided nasal polyps, they need to be examined further. Polyps in one nostril are unusual and may be malignant sinus tumors.

Diagnosis
Whether you show any of the symptoms mentioned above or they are found during a routine examination, your healthcare provider will usually diagnose this condition through various methods, including –

  • Examining your nose using a lighted instrument (usually enough for diagnosing nasal polyps)
  • Health experts may advise patients to have a nasal endoscopy. It involves inserting a thin tube inside your nose with an attached camera and light to examine the inside of your nasal area.
  • Imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) scans may help your doctor know the exact location and size of the nasal polyps. These tests also help rule out structural problems with your nasal passage or cancerous growths.
  • If your doctor feels that your nasal polyps are due to allergic reactions, you may be advised to take skin prick tests.
  • If your nasal polyps are due to a vitamin D deficiency, you may be advised to take a blood test to determine your levels of this nutrient.

Treatment
If your nasal polyps have just started or are not too large, health experts will suggest treatments to shrink them. Some commonly used options are listed below.

Prescriptions
Your doctor may start with nasal corticosteroids to help soothe irritation and swelling in the nasal area. If nasal corticosteroids are ineffective in eliminating your polyps, you may have to take them orally or through injections.

Other treatments
Patients may be prescribed antihistamines to reduce the size of the polyps. These are also useful in clearing nasal congestion and reducing swelling. If the nasal polyps are due to chronic sinusitis, patients may be given treatments for this condition that would also improve their breathing and shrink the size of the polyps.

Surgery
Patients may have to undergo surgical treatments if these prescription treatments don’t help shrink or eliminate the nasal polyps. One such treatment is endoscopic surgery, in which polyps are removed using small instruments. After removing the polyps, the nasal fluids drain quickly, ventilating the nasal passages. This surgery may also involve enlarging the opening passages in the sinuses to allow proper breathing.

Coping mechanism
After the surgical procedure, taking certain steps to prevent nasal polyps from recurring is essential.

  • Avoid exposure to pollutants or allergens from the outside air
  • Use a humidifier to moisten breathing passageways
  • Regularly use a saline spray to remove allergens
  • Follow healthy lifestyle habits

Although harmless, when nasal polyps are allowed to grow, they may cause irritating symptoms. Therefore, consult a health expert whenever you experience any of these signs and symptoms. It will help in an early diagnosis and less expensive and minimally invasive treatment of this condition. Though they are relatively common and not necessarily a cause of concern, nasal polyps, if left untreated for a long time, can interfere with the functioning of nasal passages and sinuses.

Recent Topics

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

The grass can be greener where you want it to be! Learning to take care of your lawn appropriately and maintaining it can help you create a lusher, greener yard for hosting cookouts, picnics, barbecues, or a relaxing yard for you and your loved ones. You can take some quick, easy steps to avoid faded or dead patches and create the lawn of your dreams. Check out nine ways to maintain a green lawn. Test the soil To create a vibrant green yard, you must start by caring for the most critical factor – the soil. Since grass needs nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to thrive, it is important to ensure your soil is enriched with them. To ensure the best grass growth, it is also important to have a soil pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. Using a home soil test kit or hiring an agency can help you take the guesswork out of soil profiling. These tests usually cost around $20 and are the foundation of a beautiful, well-nourished lawn. Aerate the lawn If your lawn is used to a lot of walking and trundling by your children or pets, it may be wise to aerate it before planting any grass.
12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness of the joints. It affects over 50 million people in the country. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which tend to worsen with age. It may be inherited or caused by immune problems or metabolic conditions like gout. Making changes in daily meal plans can help manage arthritis symptoms. One of the easiest ways to introduce inflammation-relieving foods into one’s life is with delicious smoothies. Try these twelve arthritis-friendly smoothies at home to alleviate joint pain. Pineapple and turmeric smoothie Blend a quarter of a pineapple with water, orange, turmeric, lemon zest, mango, ginger, carrot, and salt. This delicious yellow smoothie is rich in antioxidants from pineapple, orange, and turmeric, which can reduce oxidative stress in the body. The main active component of turmeric, curcumin, inhibits COX-2, the enzyme that causes joint pain and inflammation, helping reduce symptoms of arthritis. The pineapple, orange, and mango add vitamin C to the smoothie, which also helps fight inflammation. Pineapple also contains the enzyme bromelain, which can help reduce arthritic pain. Kiwi and kale green smoothie Blend two kiwis with a bunch of kale, one mango, one orange, and some water to create a quick and easy green smoothie.
10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. It causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a covering that protects the nerve fibers, and leads to several debilitating symptoms. It is a complex health disorder without any cure and its exact cause is unknown. However, lifestyle changes such as eating mindfully may help manage the condition. Certain types of foods worsen the symptoms and should be avoided. Saturated fats Saturated fats are mostly found in animal-based products and by-products. Additionally, they are present in certain types of oils. Saturated fats increase inflammation levels in the body as these raise the level of LDL or bad cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart disorders, which most people with multiple sclerosis are highly prone to have. So, it is best to avoid foods with saturated fats, such as: Red meat Full-fat dairy Butter Processed snacks, such as cakes, cookies, and chips Palm oil Coconut oil Trans fats Another group of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis is those containing trans fats. Just like saturated fats, trans fats also increase the level of inflammation in the body. Trans fats are known to increase inflammation levels within blood vessels.
7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting the nerves communicating signals from the brain. An intricate network of nerves runs throughout the body carrying electrical impulses and signals to control a specific part or function. Parkinson’s disrupts these communication channels, making it difficult to control automatic reflexes and movements. It is only possible to manage Parkinson’s with early diagnosis as the disease has no cure. Tremors One of the first signs of developing Parkinson’s is tremors. People might experience different intensities of this motor function, but often, resting tremors are the first indicators of the neurological disorder. Resting tremors develop when the body is active and subside when the body is at rest. For example, one might not notice the tremors while using the hand actively. But when the hand is in a rested position, these tremors develop abruptly and are more noticeable while walking or sitting. Tremors that get worse with time start to interfere with regular activities like writing or shaving, among other actions that require fine gross motor skills. The uncontrolled shaking starts with just the thumb or one of the fingers, usually affecting one hand. However, the intensity of these tremors varies depending on how quickly the condition progresses.

Most Popular

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes
01

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes

An overactive bladder (OAB) results in frequent, unexpected urges to urinate. When one is dealing with an overactive bladder, they can experience frequent urges during the day and at night, along with incontinence. However, simple changes, such as better food choices, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques utilizing the pelvic floor muscles, can help one manage the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Here are a few things one should know when affected by OAB: Signs One may experience the following symptoms: Sudden and frequent urge to urinate Accidental urination right after experiencing an urge to urinate (urgency incontinence) Frequent urination, typically two or more times every few hours Need to go to the washroom more than two times every night (nocturia) Even if one can urinate normally when dealing with an overactive bladder, symptoms like unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt daily routine and cause discomfort. Doctors may refer the patient to a urologist, who focuses on illnesses and conditions of the reproductive system and urinary tract. One should consult a doctor as soon as they notice any of the signs. Overactive bladder is common in older adults, but some women can develop the issue at about 45. Ways to manage an overactive bladder People with overactive bladder may respond to a variety of therapies.
Read More

© 2024 EntryNotes.com. All Rights Reserved.