What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 07, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a fairly common otolaryngological condition with a relatively high incidence clinically. There is significant individual variation in clinical symptoms. Some patients have few nasal polyps and might not show obvious clinical symptoms; these are often discovered only during a physical examination or a nasopharyngoscopy. Other patients may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. In cases where the polyps are particularly numerous and have been present for a long time, they may even cause deformities of the nose, such as a "frog nose" or "saddle nose." In such cases, timely surgical treatment should be considered, and regular follow-up inspections are needed to monitor for any recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does massaging nasal polyps have any effect?

Nasal polyps cannot be effectively treated through massage, as they grow inside the nasal cavity, mainly around the middle nasal meatus, and may also be found in the olfactory area or the general nasal passages. In severe cases, they can spread throughout the entire nasal cavity and even into the sinuses. In terms of treatment, massage does not play a significant role, as it does not directly affect the nasal polyps themselves. Treatment primarily involves medication and surgical procedures. For cases where the nasal polyps are particularly numerous and symptoms are pronounced, surgery is generally recommended. For smaller polyps with less noticeable symptoms, nasal spray medications may be considered, but regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor changes.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How is anesthesia administered for nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder, and if there are numerous polyps with clear clinical symptoms and conservative drug treatment is ineffective, surgery should be considered. Currently, the primary procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal, which is a commonly used minimally invasive surgery. Generally, the level of pain experienced by patients is not particularly significant. Therefore, in terms of anesthesia, it may be suitable to consider either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. If the nasal polyps are not particularly severe and the patient has a good tolerance, local anesthesia can be considered. However, if the condition is more severe and symptoms are clearly pronounced, it is generally advised that general anesthesia might be a better option.

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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.)

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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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What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

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.