Are nasal polyps serious?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 05, 2025
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of recurrent nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a common disease in otolaryngology. The occurrence of nasal polyps is due to chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity and stimulation by physical and chemical factors, leading to proliferative lesions of the nasal mucosa and the formation of nasal polyps. The most effective treatment for patients with nasal polyps is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. After surgery, it is important to change dressings in a timely manner and perform regular follow-ups to prevent recurrence of the nasal polyps. Patients with recurrent nasal polyps usually exhibit significant symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and nasal obstruction. Recurrence can be confirmed through follow-up examinations such as a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses or electronic frontier inspection.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What impact do nasal polyps have on the throat?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease. If there are few nasal polyps, they generally do not directly affect the throat. However, if there are many nasal polyps, they can cause nasal congestion, open-mouth breathing, and the backflow of nasal mucus. These factors can irritate the throat, leading to pharyngitis or tonsillitis, which may cause symptoms like a sore and itchy throat and coughing, and may also cause recurrent tonsil inflammation. Therefore, in such cases, it is advisable to visit an otolaryngology clinic for a nasopharyngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition before proceeding with targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Nasal polyps bleeding is a symptom.

Nasal polyps accompanied by bleeding can have various causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, bleeding from the nasal mucosa, rupture of small blood vessels due to dry nasal cavities, or potentially sinusitis associated with the nasal polyps causing the bleeding. A small number of patients may have blood disorders such as coagulation dysfunction or thrombocytopenia. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist for a nasopharyngoscope examination, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to determine the specific causes of the condition, and then to proceed with targeted treatment. Surgery might be considered for some patients.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps are removed but grow back?

Nasal polyps are a common condition in otolaryngology and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. After nasal polyp surgery, there is a possibility of recurrence, and the likelihood of recurrence is relatively high compared to other diseases. Currently, we surgically remove nasal polyps through functional endoscopic surgery, followed by regular post-operative outpatient follow-ups to clean the nasal cavity. Since then, the recurrence rate after this surgery has been relatively low. However, if the nasal polyps recur, we must perform surgery again to remove them, as enlarged nasal polyps can block the nasal cavity and damage the surrounding tissue structures, necessitating another surgical intervention, with no other special methods available.