Nasal polyps


Can people with nasal polyps drink alcohol?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease. It is advised that patients with nasal polyps should avoid drinking alcohol as it can be highly irritating. Alcohol has a direct stimulative effect on the nasal mucosa, which might exacerbate the condition of nasal polyps, potentially leading to nosebleeds or elevated blood pressure. These factors may harm overall health. Patients with nasal polyps should seek prompt medical attention from an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms. Examinations such as nasendoscopy and sinus CT scans can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. Some patients might opt for conservative medical treatment, while others, for whom medication is ineffective, may need to consider surgical intervention.


Nasal polyps are located where?
Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal area, forming a translucent, lychee-like shape with no distribution of nerves or blood vessels. They originate from two sources: one from the nasal cavity and the other from the nasal sinuses. Theoretically, any part of the nasal cavity and sinuses can develop nasal polyps or polyp-like changes. The most common nasal polyps primarily originate from the middle nasal meatus, while those from the sinuses mainly stem from the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses, which are the most common and prone areas. Clinically, the treatment for nasal polyps mainly involves removal via endoscopic surgery and the opening of the sinuses.


What are the symptoms of recurrent nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a common disease in otolaryngology. The occurrence of nasal polyps is due to chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity and stimulation by physical and chemical factors, leading to proliferative lesions of the nasal mucosa and the formation of nasal polyps. The most effective treatment for patients with nasal polyps is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. After surgery, it is important to change dressings in a timely manner and perform regular follow-ups to prevent recurrence of the nasal polyps. Patients with recurrent nasal polyps usually exhibit significant symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and nasal obstruction. Recurrence can be confirmed through follow-up examinations such as a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses or electronic frontier inspection.


What is a good treatment for nasal polyps?
In the treatment of nasal polyps, local surgical intervention is necessary. The cause of nasal polyps is unclear, but they generally arise from chronic inflammation over time, which leads to diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the bilateral nasal concha mucosa, resulting in the formation of nasal polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps typically affect both sides and can cause bilateral nasal obstruction, progressively worsening, and a foul smell may also be emitted from the nasal cavity. During examination, pale lychee-like masses may be found in the middle or general nasal passage. These masses are soft and painless. In terms of treatment, the patient needs to first undergo endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery. Post-surgery, it is also necessary to use budesonide nasal spray locally to shrink the nasal conchae and prevent recurrence (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)


Can people with nasal polyps smoke?
Patients with nasal polyps are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes contain various chemicals that may directly irritate the nasal mucosa and cause related clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and headaches or dizziness. For patients with nasal polyps, it is recommended to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, and to avoid contact with irritative substances. If symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical attention at an otolaryngology department promptly. An endoscopic examination of the nose and a sinus CT scan can be performed to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment might include oral medications and nasal sprays, and rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. However, if the condition is severe and does not respond well to conservative drug treatment, surgery may need to be considered.


Will nasal polyps grow back after they are removed?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, one can consider medication or surgical intervention. If there are numerous polyps and the clinical symptoms are severe, and standardized medication does not yield good results, then surgical treatment should be considered. However, there is still a possibility of recurrence in some patients after surgical removal. The main surgical procedure currently used is endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery, which is minimally invasive and generally yields good results for most patients. However, regular follow-ups are necessary because there is a possibility of recurrence, particularly in patients with eosinophilic polyps, who tend to have a higher chance of recurrence.


Will nasal polyps grow back after they are removed?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder, requiring surgical removal if they are numerous. Even after surgery, there is a possibility of recurrence, so regular follow-up is advised post-surgery. Initially, follow-ups should be conducted weekly, and if recovery is satisfactory, the interval can be extended to once every one to three months. If signs of recurrence of nasal polyps are observed, timely medical treatment should be administered. In cases where the recurrence is severe and the polyps are numerous, another surgery might be necessary. Generally, nasal polyps that recur multiple times are comparatively more difficult to completely cure.


Will nasal polyps grow back after being removed?
Nasal polyps are a common and frequently occurring clinical condition, representing benign neoplasms of the nasal cavity. Currently, the primary treatment for nasal polyps is their removal via endoscopic surgery, generally accompanied by surgery to open the sinus cavities. After nasal polyp surgery, there is a certain rate of recurrence, so measures must be taken to reduce this recurrence, such as regular post-operative clinic visits to clean the nasal and sinus cavities. Additionally, aggressive medication treatments are required after surgery, such as the use of budesonide nasal spray, along with other supportive medications. During surgery, it is crucial to remove the roots of the nasal polyps as thoroughly as possible and also to remove the diseased mucosal tissues as much as feasible. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a clinical doctor, based on the specific circumstances.)


What is the best treatment for nasal polyps?
The treatment of nasal polyps largely depends on the size of the polyps. For very small polyps that do not present significant clinical symptoms, it is possible to consider observation and treatment using nasal spray medications. Some patients may find that the polyps gradually shrink after treatment. However, if the nasal polyps are large and accompanied by clear clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell, medication treatment can be attempted to see its effectiveness. Yet, many patients do not achieve satisfactory results with medication alone and may need to consider surgical removal. Currently, the main approach is endoscopic nasal polyp removal. Regular follow-ups are also necessary to monitor recovery and check for any recurrence.


Nasal polyps generally grow where?
Nasal polyps definitely develop in the nasal cavity or sinuses. Due to the complex anatomical structure of the nasal cavity and sinuses, and the variation in the causes and timing of the condition among individuals, the location of polyps is not fixed and each patient has unique characteristics. Some polyps originate in the maxillary sinus and grow at the opening of this sinus, extending to the back end. This commonly occurs as posterior nasal polyps of the maxillary sinus, often seen in teenagers or children, and are more common in males than females. Generally, polyps can grow in the middle nasal meatus or olfactory fissure, and in some severe and long-standing cases, polyps can grow throughout the nasal cavity and sinuses.