Do nasal polyps have any harm?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 01, 2025
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps cause nosebleeds?

Patients with nasal polyps who experience nosebleeds should visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Some patients have bleeding caused by nasal polyps, while others may bleed due to erosion of the nasal mucosa or rupture of small blood vessels. A small number of patients might have bleeding due to tumorous lesions. Therefore, after seeing an ENT specialist, it is necessary to undergo a nasal endoscopy, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to clarify the specific cause of the condition. Some patients might choose conservative medical treatment, some may require nasal packing to stop the bleeding, and others, if conservative treatment is ineffective, may need to consider surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common disease and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. Overall, the treatment results are quite good. In terms of treatment, there are mainly two categories: surgical treatment and conservative medical treatment. Surgical treatment is mainly suitable for cases where nasal polyps are extensive and widespread, and where conservative treatment has been ineffective. In such cases, surgery to remove the polyps is generally recommended. Currently, endoscopic sinus surgery is commonly performed to remove nasal polyps, and if accompanied by sinusitis, concomitant sinusotomy can also be performed. Overall, the surgical outcomes are quite definitive, and the procedure involves minimal trauma and offers a faster recovery. If the extent of nasal polyps is small and localized, without significant clinical symptoms, most cases can consider a combination of medical treatment and nasal irrigation. However, both medical and surgical treatments may have ineffective results or the possibility of disease recurrence. Therefore, after treatment, long-term regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for recurrence, and further treatment will be needed promptly if recurrence occurs.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Nasal Polyps Symptoms and Hazards

Nasal polyp symptoms are quite varied, and these mainly relate to the number of nasal polyps, the severity of the polyps, and the subjective feelings of the patient. If the nasal polyps are small, there may not be obvious clinical symptoms, and the patient might not feel any discomfort; these polyps might only be discovered during a physical examination. If there are more significant numbers of polyps, they can cause common clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, dizziness, reduced sense of smell, and snoring during sleep. If the nasal polyps are severe, they might even lead to changes in the external shape of the nose, such as a saddle nose or a crooked nose, and in severe cases, they could induce comprehensive sinusitis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.)