How Do I Know If I Need Treatment for Nasal Polyps?

Did you know about 13 million Americans have nasal polyps? While anyone can develop these soft-tissue growths, most cases occur in adults 40-60 years old. Nasal polyps aren’t cancerous, but they can trigger frustrating symptoms and even increase your risk of certain health conditions.

Medical researchers are working to better understand what causes some people to develop nasal polyps. They’re found a link between an increased presence in a certain type of immune cell, a history of certain types of infection, and damaged sinus and nasal tissues, but research is ongoing. 

The good news is that even though the exact cause may not be understood, effective treatments exist to address the symptoms nasal polyps cause. The board-certified ear-nose-throat (ENT) providers at Jacksonville ENT Surgery specialize in diagnosing and treating this condition at our Jacksonville and Lake City, Florida, offices.

If you’re concerned about nasal polyps, keep reading to learn what you should know about these noncancerous growths and how to tell if you need treatment. 

How can I tell if I have nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps develop on mucus-producing tissues. In most cases, they’re found in the parts of your nasal chamber where mucus drains. At first, you might not have any symptoms of these soft-tissue growths. 

As they get bigger, however, nasal polyps can trigger frustrating symptoms that can affect your quality of life, including:

• Chronic sneezing
• Chronic sinusitis
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal obstruction
• Chronic runny nose
• Chronic stuffy nose
• Facial pressure, pain, or itching around the eyes
• Diminished sense of smell and taste

If left untreated, nasal polyps can even cause sleep apnea and an increase in asthma attacks. Since other upper respiratory conditions may cause these or similar symptoms, it’s important to see your Jacksonville ENT Surgery provider for an accurate diagnosis. 

Are there ways to tell if my polyps require treatment?

Not all cases of nasal polyps require immediate medical intervention. Since you can’t see your nasal polyps, it’s important to visit an ENT provider. Using a physical exam and other diagnostic tools, like imaging studies, your provider can determine whether your polyps require treatment. 

If your provider determines your polyps are small or if they aren’t creating any problematic symptoms, they recommend a “watch and wait” approach. 

For patients with nasal polyps causing only mild-to-moderate symptoms, your Jacksonville ENT Surgery provider may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Medication to reduce the size of the polyps
• Anti-inflammatory medication to address pain
• Saline irrigation to help move mucus
• Antihistamines and/or immunotherapies to control allergies
• Balloon sinuplasty to open sinus passages

Some patients may benefit from SINUVA®, an implant that helps shrink your polyps to improve symptoms and help you avoid surgery. 

If you have severe symptoms, your provider may perform an endoscopic sinus procedure to surgically remove your nasal polyps. Your provider may combine this treatment with PROPEL®, a meshlike device with slow-release steroids implanted after surgery to keep nasal passages open. 

Trying to figure out if your nasal polyps require treatment? Eliminate the guesswork by scheduling a consultation online or over the phone at the Jacksonville ENT Surgery office nearest you.