Can people with nasal polyps smoke?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 07, 2025
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Patients with nasal polyps are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes contain various chemicals that may directly irritate the nasal mucosa and cause related clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and headaches or dizziness. For patients with nasal polyps, it is recommended to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, and to avoid contact with irritative substances. If symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical attention at an otolaryngology department promptly. An endoscopic examination of the nose and a sinus CT scan can be performed to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment might include oral medications and nasal sprays, and rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. However, if the condition is severe and does not respond well to conservative drug treatment, surgery may need to be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

What will happen if nasal polyps are not treated?

The consequences of untreated nasal polyps vary among individuals. For some, the effects may be relatively severe, while for others it may not be very noticeable. It primarily depends on the size of the nasal polyps themselves. If the polyps are small and do not cause significant clinical symptoms, even without prompt treatment, their slow growth may lead to no significant symptoms. However, if there are many polyps and they grow rapidly, it can easily lead to nasal congestion, a runny nose, and reduced sense of smell. Some patients may also develop sinusitis due to poor ventilation and drainage in the nasal cavity. In severe cases where there are excessive amounts of nasal polyps, it can even affect the development of the nasal structure, leading to conditions like a crooked nose or saddle nose.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Where is a good place to massage for nasal polyps to get better quickly?

Massage therapy is generally ineffective for treating nasal polyps, so no matter what type of massage is used, it is unlikely to have a notably positive effect on the treatment and recovery of nasal polyps. Currently, there are primarily two treatment options to consider: conservative treatment and surgical removal. If the polyps are numerous and widespread, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, then surgical removal, particularly minimally invasive surgery performed with an endoscope, should be considered. This type of surgery generally causes minimal damage and allows for a relatively quick recovery, with fairly definitive therapeutic outcomes. If the nasal polyps are small and localized, treatment usually starts with nasal sprays and oral medications, but regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for any changes.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Does everyone have nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are not something everyone has. The main causes of nasal polyps are related to the patient's smoking, drinking, and long-term exposure to physical and chemical factors in the air, which lead to the proliferation of redundant tissue on the surface of the nasal mucosa, blocking the patient's middle nasal passage and nasal vestibule, thereby causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and headaches. When patients with nasal polyps experience nasal congestion and runny nose, our first approach should be anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment. Next, it is necessary to perform a thorough diagnosis with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and paranasal sinus CT scan. After a confirmed diagnosis, patients with nasal polyps usually need functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves removing the polyp tissue blocking the nasal cavity and opening the sinus openings to restore the normal physiological environment and drainage of the nasal cavity.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Can nasal polyps become cancerous?

Nasal polyps are growths in the nasal cavity mucosa that form due to inflammation, edema, and the effects of gravity, resembling lychee-like neoplasms. They are relatively soft and do not bleed easily upon formation. Their stalk mainly originates from the middle nasal meatus, making nasal polyps a benign tissue lesion that will not become cancerous. However, prolonged growth of polyps may lead to deformation of the nasal cavity, obstructing ventilation and drainage, which can cause sinusitis, nasal congestion, headaches, and more. Therefore, early-stage nasal polyps can be conservatively treated with internal medicine. If there is nasal obstruction, aggressive growth, or purulent nasal discharge, surgical treatment is generally recommended to prevent recurrence.

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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.