Nasal Polyps Symptoms and Hazards

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 21, 2025
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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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The causes of nasal polyps formation

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disorder, with various causes. Common causes include genetic factors and may also be due to chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Some patients develop nasal polyps because of frequent exposure to dust or other chemical substances. There are significant individual differences in the specific causes of the disease. After the onset of the disease, it is necessary to visit an ENT specialist. Procedures like a nasal endoscopy or a sinus CT scan can be performed to assess the severity of the condition, which will assist in determining targeted treatments. During the treatment process, regular check-ups are needed to observe the recovery progress of the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps definitely have to be removed?

Nasal polyps are benign glandular tissues that occur in the nasal cavity. The presence of nasal polyps can block the nasal passage, leading to secondary infections, and as nasal polyps gradually increase in size, they can damage the local tissue structure. Therefore, once nasal polyps appear, they are primarily removed through surgery, making surgical removal necessary. However, in the early stages of nasal polyps, when they have just developed and are still small, they can be treated with medications such as methylprednisolone or prednisone. These drugs are mainly corticosteroids and can cause the polyps to gradually shrink and disappear in a minority of patients, a process referred to as chemical resection through medication. Nonetheless, the chance of detecting nasal polyps in their early stages is very small, and they are often only discovered when they have grown large enough to obstruct the nasal passage and affect breathing, meaning that they typically require surgical removal after they are found.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps always require surgery?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease, with various clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell. Regarding treatment, surgery is not always necessary. Nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans may be required to assess the specific extent and severity of the condition. If the nasal polyps are limited and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative treatment with medication is recommended rather than surgical treatment. However, if there are multiple polyps and severe clinical symptoms, and the results from standardized conservative treatment with medication are not satisfactory, then surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Conservative treatment methods for nasal polyps

Conservative treatment for nasal polyps is mainly applicable to cases with smaller range and less severe symptoms. Generally, it is advisable to begin with some nasal endoscopy to assess the extent of the condition. The primary treatment method considered is nasal sprays, particularly corticosteroid nasal sprays, and additionally, physiological saline can be used to cleanse the nasal cavity. If accompanied by rhinitis and sinusitis, it may also be necessary to consider treatment with oral medication. Overall, most patients see some effectiveness with conservative treatment, but there may be recurrence or cases where conservative treatment is not effective, and surgery might be considered as an option.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Nasal polyps are located in the nose.

Nasal polyps are growths located in our nasal area, which is divided into the external nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Nasal polyps primarily develop within our nasal cavity. For some polyps that originate from the sinuses, such as those from the ethmoid sinus or the maxillary sinus, they may initially grow within a sinus cavity. As they increase in size, they can protrude into our nasal cavity and even extend outside it, becoming directly visible. Therefore, nasal polyps mainly grow in our nasal cavity or sinus cavities. They do not develop on our external nose or in our nasopharyngeal region. The most common locations for them are in the nasal cavity and sinus cavities.