Nasal polyps


Can nasal polyps be washed with saline?
Nasal polyps can be considered for saline irrigation, with the main types of saline used being physiological saline or physiological seawater. The main function is to help improve nasal ventilation and reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa. It also has some therapeutic effects for patients with poor sense of smell. However, overall, saline irrigation is still considered an auxiliary treatment method, and it is recommended to consider medication treatment. If the nasal polyps cover a wide range and the clinical symptoms are quite apparent, it could also be accompanied by sinusitis. Under such circumstances, endoscopic surgery might be necessary, which involves the removal of nasal polyps under endoscopy. Depending on the condition of sinusitis, concurrent sinus opening surgery might be required. It is advisable to visit an otolaryngology clinic for a formal diagnostic evaluation to determine the best treatment approach.


Can nasal polyps become cancerous?
Nasal polyps are growths in the nasal cavity mucosa that form due to inflammation, edema, and the effects of gravity, resembling lychee-like neoplasms. They are relatively soft and do not bleed easily upon formation. Their stalk mainly originates from the middle nasal meatus, making nasal polyps a benign tissue lesion that will not become cancerous. However, prolonged growth of polyps may lead to deformation of the nasal cavity, obstructing ventilation and drainage, which can cause sinusitis, nasal congestion, headaches, and more. Therefore, early-stage nasal polyps can be conservatively treated with internal medicine. If there is nasal obstruction, aggressive growth, or purulent nasal discharge, surgical treatment is generally recommended to prevent recurrence.


Can nasal polyps be cured?
Nasal polyps are curable, and patients can be cured through localized surgical treatment. The cause of nasal polyps is unknown, generally due to chronic inflammatory stimulation, leading to bilateral nasal turbinate mucosal diffuse congestion, edema, proliferation, and prolapse, resulting in nasal polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps generally occur bilaterally, causing the patient to have persistent nasal congestion that progressively worsens. In addition, patients may experience facial swelling, headache, and yellow nasal discharge, among other symptoms. During an examination with an electronic nasoscope, pale lychee-like masses can be observed in the nasal passages on both sides. These are soft, painless, and not prone to bleeding. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps require endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery and sinus opening surgery for a cure.


Where to apply moxibustion for nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps cannot be treated through moxibustion, as they are benign or malignant tumors of the nasal cavity. Local surgery is required for treatment. The causes of nasal polyps are unknown in clinical settings. Generally, they are directly related to the patient's long-term chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis, resulting from persistent congestion, edema, proliferation, and dehydration of the nasal mucosa. Patients will experience progressive bilateral nasal congestion, along with a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity, which can also lead to diminished sense of smell, memory loss, and other related symptoms. A detailed examination with an endoscopic nasal examination and sinus CT scan at a hospital can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps cannot be cured through conservative treatment. An endoscopic polypectomy can cure the condition. Post-surgery, patients need to exercise, avoid catching colds to prevent recurrence.


Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?
The surgery for nasal polyps is performed under general anesthesia using endoscopic techniques to excise the polyps. The procedure places high demands on the patient's overall health, but typically yields good results. As such, hospitalization is required for nasal polyp surgery, as it often involves additional procedures such as sinus opening and correction of a deviated nasal septum. Nasal polyps are generally caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, or chronic inflammation over a long period of time. Simply removing the nasal polyps may lead to recurrence. In order to thoroughly treat nasal polyps, and address chronic inflammation, sinus issues, and anatomical abnormalities such as a deviated nasal septum, specific treatments are required during surgery. This not only effectively eradicates the nasal polyps but also helps prevent their recurrence. Therefore, hospitalization is required for this type of surgery.


How to deal with enlarged nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. First, it is necessary to assess the extent of the nasal polyps and the clinical symptoms. If the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are not particularly evident, this condition might be considered for conservative drug treatment, commonly involving nasal sprays and saline nasal irrigation. If there are many nasal polyps and more pronounced clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness, and if standardized drug treatment is ineffective, then surgical treatment should be considered. Currently, the most commonly used procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery, with regular follow-ups required to monitor postoperative recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)


Does massaging nasal polyps have any effect?
Nasal polyps cannot be effectively treated through massage, as they grow inside the nasal cavity, mainly around the middle nasal meatus, and may also be found in the olfactory area or the general nasal passages. In severe cases, they can spread throughout the entire nasal cavity and even into the sinuses. In terms of treatment, massage does not play a significant role, as it does not directly affect the nasal polyps themselves. Treatment primarily involves medication and surgical procedures. For cases where the nasal polyps are particularly numerous and symptoms are pronounced, surgery is generally recommended. For smaller polyps with less noticeable symptoms, nasal spray medications may be considered, but regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor changes.


What should I do if the nasal polyps are inflamed?
Nasal polyps accompanied by infection and inflammation are relatively common. This situation generally pertains to nasal polyps, rhinitis, and sinusitis. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, it may be considered an acute bacterial infection, and generally, the use of antibiotics should be considered, along with nasal sprays and saline nasal irrigation. Some patients can achieve effective control and relief after standardized medication treatment. If the nasal polyps are widespread and the inflammatory response is severe, surgery might be necessary to remove them. Post-surgery, regular follow-ups are needed because both nasal polyps and inflammation can recur.


Postoperative precautions for nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are a common disease in otolaryngology, head, and neck surgery. The primary treatment for nasal polyps is functional endoscopic surgery to remove them. After the surgery, it is important to keep the following in mind: First, it is important to keep the nasal cavity clean. Clean the nasal cavity daily with saline solution and use some medications for treatment. Second, regularly visit the hospital to have the nasal cavity cleaned by the surgeon who performed the operation. Typically, the surgeon will instruct when to return for a follow-up visit, or schedule an appointment. Third, for nasal polyps, surgery is not the end of the treatment. It is generally necessary to continue daily medicinal treatment of the nasal cavity. Immediately after the surgery, it may also be necessary to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as roxithromycin or clarithromycin, for treatment. In summary, treatment and nasal cavity cleaning must continue even after surgery for nasal polyps. (Note: Please use medications under the guidance of a clinical doctor.)


Is the recurrence rate of nasal polyps high?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease. Generally, the recurrence rate of nasal polyps is not particularly high. However, some patients are more likely to experience recurrences, especially those with allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, or familial genetic factors. These patients are relatively more prone to recurrence. Additionally, incomplete surgery or failure to timely visit an otolaryngology clinic for postoperative nasal cavity cleaning can also lead to recurrence. After treatment, it is necessary to have regular check-ups to monitor the recovery of the condition. If early symptoms of recurrence appear, targeted conservative medical treatment can be administered. After such treatment, many patients' conditions can be well controlled.