Can nasal polyps cause breathing difficulties?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 11, 2025
00:00
00:00

Nasal polyps can cause breathing difficulties in patients. They primarily lead to persistent nasal congestion, which in turn causes breathing difficulties. Nasal polyps are benign tumors in the nasal cavity. They are directly related to prolonged chronic inflammation, recurrent episodes of allergic rhinitis, and are manifestations of congested, edematous, and proliferative nasal turbinates mucosa that eventually prolapse. This condition causes persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients, who may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. If a local infection and rupture occur, it could lead to nasal bleeding, necessitating a detailed examination at a hospital. Diagnoses can be confirmed through an endoscopic nasal examination and sinus CT scans. For treatment, nasal polyps require surgical removal, which can be curative. Additionally, regular follow-up examinations are necessary after surgery to prevent recurrence.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
44sec home-news-image

Nasal polyps bleeding is a symptom.

Nasal polyps accompanied by bleeding can have various causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, bleeding from the nasal mucosa, rupture of small blood vessels due to dry nasal cavities, or potentially sinusitis associated with the nasal polyps causing the bleeding. A small number of patients may have blood disorders such as coagulation dysfunction or thrombocytopenia. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist for a nasopharyngoscope examination, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to determine the specific causes of the condition, and then to proceed with targeted treatment. Surgery might be considered for some patients.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

Is it safe to have a second surgery for nasal polyps?

The surgery for nasal polyps is primarily performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of the nasal polyps and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All surgeries carry certain risks, thus secondary surgeries for nasal polyps also entail risks. Moreover, since the initial surgery alters the normal anatomical structure of the nasal polyps and their surroundings, the difficulty of the surgery increases, thereby slightly raising the risk of a secondary procedure. The third point is that the surgery is now performed under direct endoscopic vision. Although this type of surgery carries risks—and indeed, all surgeries do—the likelihood of these risks is relatively small, so there is no need for excessive worry.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

What should I do if nasal polyps are bleeding?

Nasal polyps accompanied by nasal bleeding can be caused by various reasons. It could possibly be hemorrhagic nasal polyps, or there might be dryness and erosion bleeding of the nasal mucosa, or bleeding due to rupture of small blood vessels, or inflammation-induced bleeding. Therefore, in such cases, it is necessary to promptly visit an otolaryngology department. Consider conducting a nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, and coagulation function tests, which can help determine the severity of the nasal polyps and the cause of the nasal bleeding. If the extent of nasal bleeding is severe and the nasal polyps are widespread, surgical removal might be considered necessary. After surgery, regular follow-up checks are essential to monitor the recovery process.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
37sec home-news-image

Does nasal polyps require a biopsy?

Nasal polyps are benign space-occupying lesions in our nasal cavity and sinus cavity. They primarily appear as a pineapple peel-like or half a lychee-like neoplasm. They lack blood vessels and nerves, so nasal polyps generally do not undergo biopsy unless there is suspicion of malignant transformation, in which case a biopsy is performed. Typically, nasal polyps are treated surgically by removing them during surgery, then the excised tissue is sent for pathological examination to determine if the polyps are benign or malignant. Therefore, generally speaking, nasal polyps do not undergo biopsy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
58sec home-news-image

Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?

The surgery for nasal polyps is performed under general anesthesia using endoscopic techniques to excise the polyps. The procedure places high demands on the patient's overall health, but typically yields good results. As such, hospitalization is required for nasal polyp surgery, as it often involves additional procedures such as sinus opening and correction of a deviated nasal septum. Nasal polyps are generally caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, or chronic inflammation over a long period of time. Simply removing the nasal polyps may lead to recurrence. In order to thoroughly treat nasal polyps, and address chronic inflammation, sinus issues, and anatomical abnormalities such as a deviated nasal septum, specific treatments are required during surgery. This not only effectively eradicates the nasal polyps but also helps prevent their recurrence. Therefore, hospitalization is required for this type of surgery.