Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that result from inflammation in the lining in our sinuses. They can obstruct the nasal passages and lead to complications such as impaired breathing, loss of smell, and sinus infections. These symptoms may be a sign that it is time for you to seek treatment. If you are suffering from a sinus condition, our qualified team of doctors at Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat Associates in Atlanta, GA is dedicated to providing you with a personalized course of treatment.
Causes and Treatments for Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are one of several causes of a condition called chronic sinusitis, which is the long-term inflammation of our nasal passages. The treatment plan that is right for you depends on the underlying reason for this swelling. Asthma, allergy to mold, and sensitivity to aspirin are all possible culprits.
While polyps can be difficult to eliminate completely, we will advise you about long-term treatments that can help you manage them and reduce their size. The two most common treatments are medications and sinus surgery.
Medications
As the first course of treatment for your polyps, our doctors may prescribe medications that reduce inflammation in the sinuses. If your polyps are small, medications alone may be enough to keep them under control. Medications can also help to shrink large polyps, and they may be used in conjunction with surgery.
Nasal Steroids
One of the most common treatments for polyps is nasal steroids. These drugs are sprayed directly into the nasal passages, where they help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Nasal steroids are frequently prescribed to allergy patients, so they may be especially effective if allergies are the cause of your polyps. Other allergy treatments, including immunotherapy and saline irrigation, may also help to manage polyps. Allergies can contribute to long-term swelling inside the sinuses. If your allergies are kept under control, polyps will be less likely to grow.
If nasal steroids are not effective at reducing the size of polyps, we may prescribe other anti-inflammatory drugs. These include oral corticosteroids, injectable corticosteroids, and dupilumab injection. These drugs are most often used for severe cases of polyps that do not respond to other treatments.
Aspirin Sensitivity
Some cases of nasal polyps are caused by a sensitivity to aspirin. This means that your body over-reacts to the chemical salicylate, which is the active ingredient in aspirin, leading to swelling in your sinuses. Simple tests can determine whether aspirin is the cause of your polyps.
If your polyps are caused by aspirin, you should avoid consuming salicylate and related chemicals. These chemicals are found in some foods in addition to aspirin pills. However, you may benefit from a treatment called aspirin desensitization therapy. This involves taking gradually increasing amounts of aspirin until your body can handle normal doses of the drug. According to clinical studies, this treatment has a high rate of success in reducing sinus complaints in patients with aspirin sensitivity.
Sinus Surgery
In many cases, medications are not enough to shrink nasal polyps. This is more likely to be the case if your polyps are large or your symptoms are bothersome. When medications alone are not effective, we may perform sinus surgery to remove the polyps.
Surgery is a relatively common form of treatment for all types of chronic sinusitis, including polyps. Most sinus surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures, which means that you go home the same day.
How It Is Performed
Unlike other types of surgery, sinus surgery usually does not involve any external incisions. Instead, it is performed using an endoscope, which is a specialized camera that we insert through the nostrils. The endoscope allows us to see a magnified view of your sinuses. Then tiny surgical instruments are used to remove the polyps. We may also enlarge the openings of the sinuses to promote better drainage and reduce inflammation.
With new advances in sinus surgery, the level of discomfort after the procedure is minimized. You will need a few days to rest at home after the surgery. We will prescribe you nasal sprays to aid in the healing process. We also advise that you avoid strenuous physical activities for two weeks afterward. Your sinuses will take about three weeks to fully heal.
Long-Term Outlook
Sinus surgery is usually not a permanent solution for polyps because they tend to come back after the procedure. Most patients will require some form of long-term management to prevent the polyps from reforming. This often involves the use of a medication, such as a nasal steroid spray. The aim of these medications is to reduce the inflammation that led to the polyps in the first place. If the swelling in your sinuses is reduced, polyps will be less likely to regrow.
Consult Our Team of Specialists for High-Quality Treatment
While the exact treatment for nasal polyps may vary from patient to patient, typical treatment involves a combination of surgery and medications. Sinus surgery is a relatively simple outpatient procedure that we perform with a special camera called an endoscope. We also prescribe medications to reduce swelling inside your sinuses, preventing the polyps from reforming.
Polyps may cause annoying symptoms such as nasal blockage, and they can interfere with day-to-day activities. Now that you know about the different ways we treat them, it may be time to take the next step and get a personalized treatment plan. Come visit Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat Associates in Atlanta, GA to find the fastest and least invasive treatment options for your polyps. We look forward to helping you breathe freely again.