Nasal Polyp : Type, Symptom, Risk Factor, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Drug

Nasal polyps are soft fleshy swellings that grow inside the nose.They are painless and non-cancerous.The colour of nasal polyps may be yellowish, grey or pink.The size of nasal polyps can vary.Polyps usually affect both nostrils.They can block the nose and enlarge gradually.Nasal polyps hang down like teardrops or grapes.They cause chronic inflammation due to asthma, allergies, drug sensitivity, and recurring infection.

The Major Types of Nasal Polyp :

• Antrochoanal Polyps arise from the maxillary sinuses.They are single and unilateral.Antrochoanal polyps are common found in children.
• Ethmoidal Polyps originates from the ethmoidal sinuses.They are bilateral.Ethmoidal polyps are usually found in adults.

The Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

• A runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Persistent stuffiness
• The sensation of something continually runs down the back of the throat or the postnasal drip
• Loss of smell and taste
• Headache
• Pain in the upper teeth
• Snoring
• A sense of pressure  over the forehead and face
• Itching around the eyes
• The blockage of the drainage channel of the sinuses into the nose.
• Common cold

Risk Factors of Nasal Polyps

• Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.
• Drug like aspirin.
• Cystic Fibrosis results in the production and secretion of abnormally thick, sticky fluids, including thick mucus from nasal and sinus membranes.
• Allergic fungal sinusitis.
• Churg-Strauss syndrome causes the inflammation of blood vessels.

Diagnosis of Nasal Polyps

Some tests and procedures are done to diagnose the nose.

• Physical exam is an exam of the body to check general signs of health.
• A General Practitioner (GP) is a medical doctor who treats illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients.It can examine the lower part of the nostrils.It might be able to see a large polyp.
• An Ear ,Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon is to examine the nose.
• Nasendoscopy is a procedure that passes a small flexible telescope with a camera on an endoscope into the nose.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio, wave, and computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
• Allergy test is a test on the skin.
• Test for Cystic Fibrosis is a noninvasive sweat test , which determines whether the child's perspiration is saltier than the most people'sweat.

Treatment of Nasal Polyps

1. Medicines might be topical, such as drops, sprays or tablets.

• Steroid nasal drops include Betamethasone (Betnesol drops or Vistamethasone drops) dan Fluticasone (Flixonase Nasule).They are used for at least 4 or 6 weeks.
• Steroid nose sprays are to prevent further polyps from developing.They can be used regularly or long-term.Steroid nasal sprays include Mometasone (Nasonex), Beclometasone (Beconase), Fluticasone (Flixonase or Nasofan), Triamcinolone (Nasacort), and Budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua).
• Steroid tablets, such as prednisolone that can reduce the inflammation in the nose.It is prescribed for a week.

2. Salt water (saline) nasal douches are a cheap and safe treatments.

3. Allergen Immunotherapy (Desensitisation) is used in allergic people with allergic rhinitis and polyps.

4. Surgery is done if polyps are large and the steroid drops and tablets cannot work.

• Polypectomy is to remove the polyps with a surgical instrument.It can be done through the nostrils, either with local anaesthetic (awake) or under general anaesthetic.
• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is done with general anaesthetic.It can be done where the polyps are very large and numerous, or where the polyps are seriously blocking the sinuses.

Drugs for Nasal Polyps

Steroid Nasal Drops

• Betamethasone (Betnesol drops or Vistamethasone drops) 
• Fluticasone (Flixonase Nasule)

Steroid Nose Sprays

• Mometasone (Nasonex)
• Fluticasone (Flixonase or Nasofan)
• Budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua).
• Beclometasone (Beconase)
• Triamcinolone (Nasacort)
• Flunisolide
• Ciclesonide (Omnaris, Zetonna)

Steroid Tablet

• Prednisolone

Prevention

• Practicing the good hygiene by washing hands to protect against bacterial and viral infections.
• Using a humidifier if the air of the home tends to be dry.
• Managing Asthma and allergies.
• Avoid the breathing of airbone substances, such as dust, tobacco smoke, chemical fumes.
• Using a nasal lavage to rinse the nasal passages.