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Nasal polyps
Are nasal polyps serious?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngologic disease, and for the most part, most patients are not too serious; only a small number of patients have more severe nasal polyps with more obvious symptoms. In terms of treatment, if the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are not particularly pronounced, conservative medical treatment can be considered. Commonly used are corticosteroid nasal sprays, and physiological saline can be used to rinse the nasal cavity to help improve clinical symptoms; if there are many nasal polyps and the clinical symptoms are very pronounced, and standard medication treatment is ineffective, surgery may be considered. A common procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor according to specific circumstances.)
Do nasal polyps need treatment?
Most nasal polyps need to be considered for treatment. If the nasal polyps are particularly small, limited in scope, and without obvious clinical symptoms, it can be reasonable to initially opt for observation. This mainly involves monitoring whether the polyps grow or multiply over time and whether symptoms worsen progressively. If the condition remains particularly stable without significant changes, periodic reviews can be considered. However, if there are many polyps accompanied by corresponding clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, or dizziness, it is generally necessary to consider timely treatment. Currently, the treatment options mainly include conservative treatment or surgery. Overall, these are relatively common conditions that can usually be effectively controlled and improved with standardized treatment.
Can nasal polyps heal by themselves?
Nasal polyps may resolve on their own in some patients, but this is mainly seen in cases where the polyps are relatively small and the clinical symptoms are mild. Generally, there is a chance for spontaneous recovery, but the probability of this happening is quite low. Overall, the proportion of patients who are cured is very small. If there are multiple nasal polyps and the clinical symptoms are more pronounced, it is advisable to seek timely treatment. Current common treatments include oral medications and nasal spray medications. If the medication is not effective, or if the nasal polyps are widespread, surgical removal should be considered. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can nasal polyps be treated with medication?
Some patients with nasal polyps can opt for medical treatment, as there are mainly two types of treatments for nasal polyps: conservative treatment and surgical removal. For cases with minimal absorption, limited scope, and shorter duration, conservative treatment is generally recommended, primarily using corticosteroid nasal sprays. Regular follow-ups and a sufficient course of medication are necessary, typically rechecking with a rhinoscope every three months, and visiting the otorhinolaryngology department every one to two weeks for a check-up. If conservative treatment is ineffective and the patient has numerous nasal polyps, surgical removal should be considered.
Can nasal polyps be cured without surgery?
Patients with nasal polyps usually cannot be completely cured without surgery. The formation of nasal polyps is mainly related to the patient's long-term smoking and drinking, pollution in the living environment, and stimulation from physical and chemical factors, which lead to the proliferation of nasal mucosal epithelium and edema. Patients with nasal polyps will have obvious symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and sinusitis. The use of medications to treat nasal polyps can only relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion. For a complete cure, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is required to remove the nasal polyps and open the sinus ostia, restoring the normal physiological environment of the nasal cavity, to achieve the therapeutic goal. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
How long does nasal polyp surgery take?
The duration of hospitalization for nasal polyp surgery is approximately one week, as the surgery requires general anesthesia. Patients need to undergo endoscopic nasal polyp removal and cleaning of the nasal and sinus mucosa. Prior to surgery, routine examinations such as urine and blood tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and hepatitis B tests are required, along with consultations from relevant departments like respiratory medicine, internal medicine, and anesthesiology to fully assess the patient's vital status. After the surgery, patients need to use an expandable sponge to fill the nasal cavity to prevent local bleeding, and postoperative antibiotics are necessary to avoid local infections. If the patient does not have a fever or local bleeding, they can be discharged a week post-surgery. During the treatment period, it is recommended to drink more water and rest adequately.
Can nasal polyps be treated without surgery?
A portion of patients with nasal polyps may not require surgery. The decision to operate on nasal polyps primarily depends on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient. If the nasal polyps are particularly localized and the patient does not exhibit significant symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, or dizziness, conservative treatment or regular check-ups may be considered. Conservative treatment involves the use of nasal sprays and regular examinations with a nasopharyngoscope to monitor the growth of the polyps. However, if the nasal polyps are extensive and accompanied by clinical symptoms, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, surgery may need to be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is commonly performed and is generally very effective with minimal trauma.
Symptoms of enlarged nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngology disease with various clinical symptoms and certain individual differences. If the nasal polyps are few, there might not be obvious clinical manifestations. They could be discovered during physical examinations or nasal endoscopy. If there are many nasal polyps, it could lead to reduced sense of smell, headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion, and runny nose. Overall, different patients exhibit different symptoms. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to assess the specific severity of the condition, which can be evaluated comprehensively using nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans. Most patients can consider medical conservative treatment, while a small number of patients with numerous polyps might need to consider surgical treatment. (The use of medications should be guided by a professional doctor.)
What causes nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a common otolaryngological condition, primarily formed due to chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity in patients, or stimulation from smoking, drinking, and physicochemical factors of air pollution, leading to the proliferation of tissues in the nasal cavity and sinuses. The main symptoms caused by nasal polyps include nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and nasal bleeding. The most effective treatment for nasal polyps is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves the removal of the proliferative polyp tissues, thereby restoring normal ventilation and physiological functions to the nasal cavity and improving the patient's symptoms.
The difference between nasal polyps and nasal cancer
Nasal polyps and nasal cancer are both relatively common otolaryngological diseases, but they belong to different types. Nasal polyps are benign lesions, which do not pose a significant risk to health, while nasal cancer is a malignant tumor, which comparatively poses a greater risk to health. In terms of examination, differentiation can be made through nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans. Generally, nasal polyps tend to grow in the middle nasal passage and the olfactory area, whereas nasal cancer is more commonly found in the nasopharyngeal region or within the sinuses. Overall, these two diseases are fundamentally different, and it is advisable to visit an otolaryngologist for further examination and treatment.