Can nasal polyps heal by themselves?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 13, 2025
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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.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What medicine is good for nasal polyps to heal quickly?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity, sometimes originating from the sinuses, characterized as translucent, colorless, lychee-like neoplasms without blood vessels or nerve distribution. Clinically, nasal polyps are primarily diagnosed and removed during nasal endoscopic surgery. Certain medications can be used early in the development of nasal polyps, including corticosteroid drugs such as nasal sprays, nasal corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids. These can control, and in some very small cases, even eliminate nasal polyps. However, this possibility is extremely rare in clinical practice because by the time patients seek treatment for nasal polyps at a hospital, the polyps are usually relatively large, and these medications are no longer effective for fundamental treatment. Therefore, nasal polyps are generally treated surgically. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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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Can nasal polyps cause headaches?

Nasal polyps can cause headaches. The exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown, but they are generally due to prolonged chronic inflammation that leads to congestion, swelling, proliferation, and prolapse of the nasal turbinates' mucous membrane, resulting in the appearance of polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps cause persistent nasal congestion, which progressively worsens, leading to persistent hypoxia in patients. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and coughing. During examination, congested and swollen nasal mucosa can be found, and in the middle or general nasal passage, pale, abnormal, soft, painless neoplasms may be detected. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps require endoscopic nasal polypectomy and sinusotomy. After surgery, physical exercise and avoiding colds are necessary to prevent recurrence.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured without surgery?

Patients with nasal polyps usually cannot be completely cured without surgery. The formation of nasal polyps is mainly related to the patient's long-term smoking and drinking, pollution in the living environment, and stimulation from physical and chemical factors, which lead to the proliferation of nasal mucosal epithelium and edema. Patients with nasal polyps will have obvious symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and sinusitis. The use of medications to treat nasal polyps can only relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion. For a complete cure, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is required to remove the nasal polyps and open the sinus ostia, restoring the normal physiological environment of the nasal cavity, to achieve the therapeutic goal. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to radically cure nasal polyps?

The treatment of nasal polyps currently mainly considers two methods. The first is conservative treatment and the second is surgical removal. If there are few polyps and the symptoms are not particularly obvious, conservative treatment can generally be considered. This usually involves nasal sprays and oral medications, along with regular check-ups to observe any changes in the nasal polyps. If the control effect of the medication on the nasal polyps is not good, or if there are originally many polyps with obvious symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell, drug treatment may be insufficient, and endoscopic nasal surgery may need to be considered. Nasal endoscopic surgery can completely remove the nasal polyps, but regular check-ups are also necessary. Whether it is drug treatment or surgical treatment, there is a possibility of recurrence, and a complete cure cannot be guaranteed, therefore, long-term and regular check-ups are essential.