Nasal polyps, which are benign growths on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses, are more common in adults than in children. Large polyps can block the sinuses or nasal passages. This article provides information on the treatment options for this condition.
The adults affected by asthma, allergies, or frequent attacks of sinus infection are most vulnerable to developing non-cancerous, vascular growths called nasal polyps. They may develop anywhere in the nasal passages; however, they usually appear at the openings of the sinuses. Children affected by cystic fibrosis (the most common congenital disease; the child’s lungs, intestines, and pancreas become clogged with thick mucus) are prone to this condition.
Certain factors may lead to the chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and sinuses. This inflammation leads to the formation of these non-cancerous growths. The exact cause is still to be determined, however, a contributing factor to this condition might be related to the response of the immune system in the mucous membranes.
Symptoms
The severity of the symptoms may depend on the size of the polyp. The benign ones often go unnoticed without causing any problem, however, the large ones are associated with bouts of symptoms. Runny nose, persistent stuffiness, and post-nasal drip are the first symptoms to begin with. These might be followed by the person losing his sense of smell and even his sense of taste. Other symptoms are snoring, itching around the eye area, and facial pain or headache.
Remedial Options
Doctors treat this condition by reducing their size and managing the disorders that might be responsible for aggravating the inflammation of the passages/sinuses. Administration of medicines might help in reducing the size of the non-cancerous growths in some people. Surgery could also be opted for eliminating or removing the non-cancerous growth completely.
Drugs prescribed by the doctor for this condition include nasal corticosteroids, oral corticosteroid, and other medications. If there is no positive outcome of the drug treatment, then surgery is opted. The type of surgery to be performed is determined by the size of the growth. Their number and location are also the deciding factors. Polypectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery are the usual surgical procedures used for treating this condition.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies such as consuming black tea prepared with dry ginger powder helps to manage the symptoms of nasal discharge, sneezing, and headache. Hot milk mixed with turmeric powder also helps in relieving the symptoms. Apart from inhaling steam, taking fresh garlic juice is also known to alleviate the discomfort effectively.
You can also opt for nasal rinse using salt water solution. Spray the solution into each nostril and breathe in lightly to ensure that the saline water reaches the nasal cavity. This method gets rid of allergens and irritants, which may aggravate the condition of nasal polyps. Consuming a mixture of horseradish and honey (2 cups of grated horseradish and 2 cups of natural honey) has been known to reduce the non-cancerous growths to some extent. Furthermore, people who take plenty of citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, grapefruits, etc., are less vulnerable to this condition.
In some cases, this condition can recur even after the treatment. Thus, to reduce the chances of recurrence, one can follow a few self-care measures at home. Avoid contact with irritants and seek the doctor’s help to manage the symptoms of asthma or allergies. Maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding allergens can certainly help.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
