What are the symptoms of polyps in the nose?
Nasal polyps are benign growths of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity or sinuses and are common in patients with chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis. In recent years, with the increase in environmental pollution and allergic diseases, the incidence of nasal polyps has also increased. Here's a detailed look at nasal polyps symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
1. Common symptoms of nasal polyps

Symptoms of nasal polyps vary from person to person, but the following symptoms are more common:
| Symptoms | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| nasal congestion | Persistent or alternating nasal congestion, requiring mouth breathing in severe cases |
| runny nose | Mucoid or purulent nasal discharge that may drain back into the throat (postnasal drip) |
| loss of sense of smell | Partial or complete loss of olfactory function |
| facial pressure | Pain or pressure in the sinus area, possibly accompanied by headache |
| snoring | Obvious snoring due to airway obstruction during sleep |
| recurring infections | Prone to sinusitis, manifested by fever, increased purulent discharge, etc. |
2. People prone to nasal polyps
The following people are more likely to develop nasal polyps:
| high risk groups | risk factors |
|---|---|
| People with allergies | Allergic rhinitis and asthma patients |
| patients with chronic inflammation | Chronic sinusitis lasting more than 3 months |
| patients with specific diseases | Aspirin intolerance triad (asthma, nasal polyps, aspirin allergy) |
| People with abnormal immunity | Cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, etc. |
3. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis
The diagnosis of nasal polyps requires a combination of the following tests:
| Check items | diagnostic value |
|---|---|
| Nasal endoscopy | Direct observation of polyp shape, location and extent |
| CT scan | Assess sinus involvement and anatomy |
| Allergen testing | Determine whether there are allergic triggers |
| Pathological biopsy | Identification of malignant tumors (rarely) |
4. Comparison of treatment options
Treatment options vary based on the size of the polyp and the severity of the condition:
| Treatment | Applicable situations | Advantages and Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| drug treatment | Small polyps or early cases | Non-invasive but requires long-term medication and may cause recurrence |
| Nasal spray hormone | Patients with mild symptoms | Local effect, less side effects |
| surgical treatment | Large polyps or those who are ineffective with drugs | The effect is clear but there are surgical risks |
| Comprehensive treatment | Recurrent cases | Postoperative medication is used to reduce the recurrence rate |
5. Prevention and daily care
To prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps, please pay attention to:
1. Control allergens: Clean your home environment regularly to avoid contact with allergens such as pollen and dust mites
2. Standardized medication use: Use nasal spray hormones as directed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without permission.
3. Nasal irrigation: Rinse the nasal cavity with saline 1-2 times a day
4. Enhance immunity: exercise moderately and supplement vitamin D and other nutrients
5. Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Tobacco and alcohol can aggravate mucosal inflammation
6. Special reminder
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- Unilateral nasal congestion with bloody discharge
- Vision changes or eye movement disorders
- Persistent severe headache with fever
- Mouth breathing and sleep disorders in children
Although nasal polyps are a common disease, timely and standardized diagnosis and treatment are crucial. It is recommended to perform nasal endoscopy review 1-2 times a year, especially postoperative patients should pay more attention to follow-up observation.
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