What should I do if nasal polyps cause nosebleeds?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 30, 2024
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Patients with nasal polyps who experience nosebleeds should visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Some patients have bleeding caused by nasal polyps, while others may bleed due to erosion of the nasal mucosa or rupture of small blood vessels. A small number of patients might have bleeding due to tumorous lesions. Therefore, after seeing an ENT specialist, it is necessary to undergo a nasal endoscopy, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to clarify the specific cause of the condition. Some patients might choose conservative medical treatment, some may require nasal packing to stop the bleeding, and others, if conservative treatment is ineffective, may need to consider surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Will nasal polyps grow back after they are removed?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder, requiring surgical removal if they are numerous. Even after surgery, there is a possibility of recurrence, so regular follow-up is advised post-surgery. Initially, follow-ups should be conducted weekly, and if recovery is satisfactory, the interval can be extended to once every one to three months. If signs of recurrence of nasal polyps are observed, timely medical treatment should be administered. In cases where the recurrence is severe and the polyps are numerous, another surgery might be necessary. Generally, nasal polyps that recur multiple times are comparatively more difficult to completely cure.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to treat nasal polyps?

The treatment of nasal polyps is mainly divided into two categories. First, it is recommended to perform some nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans. The main purpose is to determine the extent and severity of the nasal polyps, and to check for any sinusitis. If there are few nasal polyps and the sinus inflammation is mild, the clinical symptoms will generally not be particularly obvious in such cases. The first consideration is conservative treatment, mainly involving oral medications and nasal sprays, along with rinsing the nasal cavity with saline. Most patients can achieve effective control and relief. If nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans confirm that the sinus inflammation is significant and the nasal polyps are extensive, surgery may be considered. Currently, the main procedure performed is endoscopic nasal polyp removal, which is a minimally invasive surgery and generally has precise effects. However, regular follow-ups are still needed to monitor for any recurrence of the condition. (Specific medication usage should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps turn into nasal cancer?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity or sinus cavity, appearing as translucent, lychee-like formations without the distribution of nerves and blood vessels. Generally, nasal polyps cannot become cancerous unless they are long affected by other factors, such as possible concurrent conditions like papillomas or mucosal lesions, which could then transform into malignant tumors. However, the likelihood of nasal polyps directly transforming into malignant tumors is extremely rare, and such clinical cases are almost nonexistent. Therefore, from the perspective of pathology or clinical studies, the possibility of nasal polyps turning into nasal cancer is exceedingly small.

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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Postoperative precautions for nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are a common disease in otolaryngology, head, and neck surgery. The primary treatment for nasal polyps is functional endoscopic surgery to remove them. After the surgery, it is important to keep the following in mind: First, it is important to keep the nasal cavity clean. Clean the nasal cavity daily with saline solution and use some medications for treatment. Second, regularly visit the hospital to have the nasal cavity cleaned by the surgeon who performed the operation. Typically, the surgeon will instruct when to return for a follow-up visit, or schedule an appointment. Third, for nasal polyps, surgery is not the end of the treatment. It is generally necessary to continue daily medicinal treatment of the nasal cavity. Immediately after the surgery, it may also be necessary to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as roxithromycin or clarithromycin, for treatment. In summary, treatment and nasal cavity cleaning must continue even after surgery for nasal polyps. (Note: Please use medications under the guidance of a clinical doctor.)