Nasal polyps treatment
Nasal polyposis is a form of growth that occurs inside the nasal cavity. They are teardrop-shaped tumors that may cause irritation but are noncancerous. Of all the possible tumors that may occur in the nasal passage, the nasal polyps are the most common. Usually, 1 person in a group of 200 and 5% of people with allergies suffer from nasal polyps.
The formation of nasal polyps is still not completely understood. Usually, they are formed because of prolonged irritation that occurs in the nasal passages or in the sinus which are normally caused by bacteria or viral infections. The linings in the nasal passages become increasingly porous which allows water to collect inside the cells. As time progresses, the weight of the added water under the effect of gravity cause the lining to crumble, thus causing the formation of nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps are generally harmless and are usually not noticed if they are of small dimensions. However, formation of larger polyps may be a nuisance. They may be able to obstruct the nasal tubes or sinuses. This could make it more difficult to breathe, cause recurring sinus infections and may also lead to numerous other problems.
The best way to keep nasal polyps from occurring is to maintain decent nasal hygiene. This will be quite beneficial in reducing the possibility of nasal polyps from forming. Rinsing the nasal passages with slightly salted warm water is extremely beneficial in helping to clear those sinuses. It is also beneficial in preventing polyps from reoccurring and should be used alongside a nasal steroid.
For temporary relief, cortisone could be an option. This drug causes the polyps to shrink to miniature sizes and also decelerates the rate of its growth. However, cortisone only provides short-term relief, due to the abnormal risk of side-effects it carries with it. It is never advised to use cortisone for long periods of time.
If the cause of nasal polyp formation is from sinus infections, then the usual treatment will be similar to the treatment of sinus infections and sinusitis. Polyp development can be significantly hindered with a proper, assertive medication schedule. The most helpful way to medicate nasal polyps is through the use of nasal sprays. They allow the medication to be applied easily and evenly throughout the entire infection.
Doctors may sometimes use allergy desensitization injections to treat nasal polyps. They are also used on allergic patients suffering from hay fever. They also have effects on polyps because they lower the adverse effects brought on by hay fever. However, it is still uncertain whether the injection actually helps make the polyp become smaller.
Surgery is usually the last method of treatment for such tumors, as medication normally is enough to reduce the polyps to a non-irritable size. However, surgery is necessary if the patient wishes to remove the polyps completely. Surgeries for nasal polyps include endoscopic sinus or polypectomy surgery.
Surgery has the benefit that it can completely remove the breathing difficulties that nasal polyps accompany. It is not very complex, with the surgery lasting for nearly an hour or less and usually performed with the help of local or general anesthesia. Patients that undergo such surgery usually need about one to three weeks to recover. The only disadvantage of nasal polyp surgery is that almost half of the patients again suffer from polyp formation.
Even though there is no clear-cut solution to nasal polyp formation, taking the required medication will often help ease the irritation caused by these tiny tumors. If the case is too extreme, surgery is a viable option but it brings with it the risk of developing them again.
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