Nasal polyp

Nasal Polyp

A Nasal Polyp (pronounced: /ˈneɪzəl ˈpɒlɪp/) is a non-cancerous growth that occurs in the nasal cavity or sinuses. The polyps are soft, painless, and often appear in groups.

Etymology

The term "Nasal Polyp" is derived from the Greek words "nasos" meaning nose and "polypous" meaning many-footed.

Description

Nasal polyps are associated with inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis). However, it's possible — and even somewhat more likely — to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps themselves are soft and lack sensation, so if they're small you might not be aware you have them. Larger nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or sinuses and cause breathing difficulties, a lost sense of smell, and frequent sinus infections.

Symptoms

Symptoms of nasal polyps include:

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
Frequent sinusitis

Causes

The exact cause of nasal polyps is unclear. However, they are often associated with chronic inflammation and a number of other factors, including:

Asthma
Aspirin sensitivity
Allergic fungal sinusitis
Cystic fibrosis
Hay fever

Treatment

Treatment options for nasal polyps include:

Medications: Nasal corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, and injectable corticosteroids.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery might be needed to remove nasal polyps or to correct problems with your sinuses that make them prone to inflammation and the development of polyps.
Ongoing care: Managing conditions that contribute to chronic inflammation in your nasal passages and sinuses can help reduce your risk of nasal polyps.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Nasal polyp
Wikipedia's article - Nasal polyp

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