What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 19, 2024
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Nasal polyps currently exhibit a variety of symptoms, which should be considered comprehensively based on individual reactions and the condition itself.

If the polyps are localized and small, they might not show any clinical symptoms. In such cases, a nasopharyngoscope examination can be used for diagnosis.

If there are multiple polyps or if the polyps are located in special positions, they might cause clinical symptoms such as poor nasal ventilation, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. Some patients might experience changes in vision or facial swelling, numbness, and headaches due to accompanying sinusitis or other sinonasal disorders.

Overall, it is advisable to visit an otolaryngology clinic for a nasopharyngoscope examination to make a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is the nasal polyps spray effective?

Some patients find nasal polyps effectively treated with sprays, and this largely depends on the extent of the specific lesion. If the nasal polyps are relatively mild, localized, and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, most patients could consider using conservative treatments first to see the results. The common conservative treatment is nasal sprays, generally corticosteroid sprays. Their main function is to reduce nasal polyps and alleviate inflammatory responses. Overall, many patients find effective results following standardized medication treatment. If the conservative medication treatment is ineffective and the nasal polyps are extensive, surgery might be considered as a necessity. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is nasal polyp surgery performed?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in our nasal cavities. Nasal polyps do not have a distribution of nerves and blood vessels. Once nasal polyps occur, the main treatment is surgical removal. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. We expose the nasal polyps using an endoscope, and then remove the nasal polyps using forceps or an electric suction cutter. The surgical operation is relatively simple. However, it is important to protect the surrounding structures such as the eyes and brain during the surgery to avoid damaging these tissues. After surgery, it is common to pack the nasal cavity, and the entire procedure generally requires a hospital stay of about one week.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps heal by themselves?

Nasal polyps can potentially heal on their own, but overall, this possibility is relatively small. Once nasal polyps form, they often progressively increase in number and spread in size. Generally, after the onset of the condition, it is necessary to take targeted treatment measures as soon as possible. If the affected area is relatively mild and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, conservative treatment methods may be considered initially. These usually involve the use of nasal sprays and oral medications, along with nasal irrigation. Most patients can still achieve effective control with these methods. If the area is already quite extensive and the response to medication is poor, then surgery may need to be considered. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)