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What the Heck Is Causing My Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are no fun. They can be painful, bothersome, and overall inconvenient. While these growths are noncancerous, they can still impede your breathing. Therefore, it is important to have a professional examine your nasal polyps to determine the correct treatment for them. So, let’s examine their causes, the possible treatments, and circumstances for removal. 

Nasal Polyps

In short, nasal polyps are small tear-shaped growths that appear along nasal canals and sinus passages. They are the result of mucus membranes in the nose becoming inflamed or infected, which causes swelling. A single polyp is rarely cause for concern, but as they multiply, they can block the nasal passageways and sinuses, leading to asthma, recurring infections, allergies, headaches, nosebleeds, postnasal drip, sleep apnea, and even immune disorders, if left untreated.

As an important reminder, nasal polyps do not contain cancerous cells, so they do not pose a threat of becoming cancer. However, they can be quite painful and create more severe health complications. That being said, the discovery of nasal polyps themselves does not mean anything particularly grave.

Causes

Nasal polyps usually occur in adults, and while medications can prevent them from growing or make them shrink, prescriptions rarely address the root causes of nasal polyps and often fail to eradicate multiple clusters of polyps. These types of cases tend to require surgery for removal.

While some individuals may develop nasal polyps with no apparent basis, there are some common triggers of nasal polyps, including:

  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Hay fever
  • Asthma
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Genetic factors
  • Allergies

These conditions contribute to inflammation, which can lead to the build-up of mucus and fluids required for nasal polyps to develop. 

Symptoms 


The following are a few of the various symptoms that may indicate you have nasal polyps:

  • Snoring
  • Runny nose
  • Postnasal drip
  • Reduced sense of smell and taste
  • Facial pressure
  • Sinus headaches

Remember, these symptoms are common with a wide range of sinus-related issues, so you need to receive a diagnosis from a professional otolaryngologist to be sure.

Treatment

Treating nasal polyps starts with a proper diagnosis. At Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists, Dr. Mandel will begin with a series of diagnostic tests, such as a nasal endoscopy and CT scan, to determine whether nasal polyps are causing your breathing issues and displeasure.

If Dr. Mandel only finds a few nasal polyps, you may be a good candidate for oral corticosteroids, saline sprays, or antibiotics. If the polyps are more numerous and obstructive, he may recommend one of his proprietary minimally invasive nasal procedures to clear your nasal polyp obstructions in a sterile medical facility under the supervision of a team of expert practitioners.

Get Rid of Your Nasal Polyps at Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists

Are nasal polyps diminishing your breathing and preventing you from enjoying life and exercise? If so, you need to contact a knowledgeable and experienced sinus professional at Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists. Dr. Mandel and his team have helped numerous patients breathe easier using their techniques, and they can custom-tailor a treatment plan for your specific situation. Call us today at 954-448-7216 or book online to schedule an appointment and stop suffering from nasal polyps.