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Nasal polyps
Can erythromycin be used for nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological (ENT) disease. In terms of medication, if it's just simple nasal polyps, it is not advisable to use erythromycin. This is because erythromycin is a common type of antibiotic, primarily used for treating bacterial infections. However, if the nasal polyps are accompanied by sinusitis, then the use of erythromycin could be considered. For patients with nasal polyps, it is necessary to visit an ENT specialist after the onset of the condition. By conducting examinations such as nasal endoscopy, sinus CT scans, and routine blood tests, the severity of the condition can be assessed, thereby facilitating targeted treatment. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups are needed to observe the specific effects of the treatment.
Do nasal polyps need surgery?
Some nasal polyps require surgery, mainly due to the extensive area they cover. For instance, if the nasal polyps have invaded the nasal cavity, middle nasal meatus, and lower nasal meatus, they can cause corresponding clinical symptoms. These symptoms include repeated nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing. When there are many nasal polyps, conservative treatment usually does not yield particularly good results, therefore, surgical removal must be considered. Currently, the main surgical approach is minimally invasive endoscopic nasal polyp removal. Generally, this type of surgery causes minimal harm, has a quicker recovery time, and the overall outcomes are quite clear.
Is it safe to have a second surgery for nasal polyps?
The surgery for nasal polyps is primarily performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of the nasal polyps and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All surgeries carry certain risks, thus secondary surgeries for nasal polyps also entail risks. Moreover, since the initial surgery alters the normal anatomical structure of the nasal polyps and their surroundings, the difficulty of the surgery increases, thereby slightly raising the risk of a secondary procedure. The third point is that the surgery is now performed under direct endoscopic vision. Although this type of surgery carries risks—and indeed, all surgeries do—the likelihood of these risks is relatively small, so there is no need for excessive worry.
What should I do if nasal polyps recur for the second time?
Nasal polyps are a common and frequently occurring clinical disease, consisting of benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Clinically, nasal polyps are primarily treated through surgery, specifically functional endoscopic sinus surgery for the removal of polyps under nasal endoscopy. Nasal polyps have a certain probability of recurrence. After a second recurrence, a second surgery is required. Following surgery, it is necessary to regularly follow up with cleaning of the nasal and sinus cavities, and to actively use certain medications, such as corticosteroids and some macrolide anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, during nasal polyp surgery, some tissues should be removed for biopsy to avoid confusion between nasal polyps and papillomas.
What does it mean when nasal polyps bleed?
Nasal polyp bleeding mainly has three causes. One reason is that the nasal polyp damages the structure of the nose. Since nasal polyps are a space-occupying lesion, they gradually enlarge, compress the nasal structures, and damage the mucosa and blood vessels of the nose, which can lead to nasal bleeding. The second reason is that the nasal polyp itself may be a bleeding necrotic nasal polyp. This type of bleeding necrotic nasal polyp is very prone to bleeding, and even minor injuries or damage can lead to bleeding. The third reason is that bleeding necrotic nasal polyps might be a manifestation of the disease. As the nasal polyp enlarges, if such an enlarged polyp becomes lodged in a sinus opening or in the nasal cavity, it can lead to ischemic necrosis, which after occurring, can cause bleeding. In summary, these are the three main cases.
Is nasal polyp surgery under general anesthesia dangerous?
Nasal polyps are currently primarily treated by two methods: medication and surgery. If there are many polyps, surgery is usually considered necessary. There are two types of anesthesia used in surgery: local anesthesia and general anesthesia. Generally speaking, general anesthesia, administered through endotracheal intubation or a laryngeal mask, is relatively safe and does not significantly affect the surgery or the patient themselves. However, there are certain risks involved, such as anesthesia accidents or slow metabolism of anesthetic drugs, which could trigger other or existing underlying diseases, further increasing the risk. Additionally, there could be damage to the nasal cavity or structures around the nose, such as periorbital ecchymosis, nasal bleeding, severe bleeding leading to shock, and some might experience changes in vision or visual field, or effects on the olfactory nerves.
Are nasal polyps serious?
Overall, it is generally not very severe. Most patients with nasal polyps have localized conditions, which may be accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. Initially, a nasopharyngoscopy is required to determine the specific range of the polyps and clarify if there are any other pathologic conditions. If the diseased area is extensive, further nasal sinus CT scans may be needed to determine if there are any abnormalities in the sinuses. In terms of treatment, conservative treatment is recommended for patients with small polyps and non-significant symptoms. However, if the polyps are numerous and there are notable clinical symptoms, surgical removal should be considered. After surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the recovery situation.
Do nasal polyps always require surgery?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease, with various clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell. Regarding treatment, surgery is not always necessary. Nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans may be required to assess the specific extent and severity of the condition. If the nasal polyps are limited and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative treatment with medication is recommended rather than surgical treatment. However, if there are multiple polyps and severe clinical symptoms, and the results from standardized conservative treatment with medication are not satisfactory, then surgical treatment should be considered.
Do nasal polyps have any harm?
Nasal polyps are abnormal tissue structures and pathological in nature, thus posing several risks to human health. Firstly, they obstruct nasal airflow because nasal polyps block the normal respiratory and ventilation passages, causing the primary sensation of nasal congestion and difficulty in breathing through the nose. Secondly, they impair the sense of smell. Nasal polyps obstruct the nasal cavity, preventing odors from smoothly reaching the olfactory area, leading to diminished olfactory perception. Thirdly, if the nasal polyps persist for too long and grow excessively large, they can result in acute changes in the nose, the most common being a "frog-like nose." This condition makes the nose appear flattened and broad like a frog's, lying against the face which is cosmetically unappealing.
Is minimally invasive surgery for nasal polyps painful?
Nasal polyp surgery is performed using endoscopic nasal polypectomy and sinusotomy. It is a minimally invasive surgery that requires general anesthesia and is painless. The cause of nasal polyps is unclear, generally, they are due to repeated chronic inflammation, which can cause diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the nasal turbinate mucosa. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps usually occur bilaterally and cause persistent nasal congestion that progressively worsens. During an endoscopic examination, pale, lychee-like fresh tumors can be seen in the nasal cavity, which are soft and painless. In terms of treatment, medication is ineffective for nasal polyps; patients need to undergo local surgical treatment for cure.