NASAL POLYPS

Allergies and recurring infections can inflame the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages and sinuses.  The constant irritation caused by inflammation can lead to the development of nasal polyps, grape-like growths, in the mucosa.  As long as the polyps remain small, they probably will not need medical intervention.  In fact, most people with nasal polyps don’t even know they have them.  Treatment becomes necessary when these non-cancerous growths increase in size enough to block sinuses and prevent normal nasal drainage.  Once drainage is blocked, trapped fluids often become infected and require antibiotics.  Allergists can use an endoscope to look inside the nose for polyps.  If these are found, a corticosteroid nasal spray may be prescribed to shrink the growths.

P.S.   Frequent bouts of sinusitis or worsening allergy symptoms may indicate the existence of nasal polyps.

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