What are nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the inside of the nose or the sinuses (the air-filled spaces around the nose). They are non-cancerous and are usually shaped a little like teardrops or grapes. They form as a result of long-term inflammation of the nasal lining, which causes the tissue to swell and eventually form these growths. Small polyps may cause no symptoms, but larger ones or clusters can block the nasal passages.
Nasal polyps are fairly common and can affect anyone, though they are more frequent in adults and in people with certain related conditions. Because they develop from ongoing inflammation, they are often associated with conditions that inflame the nose and sinuses, such as chronic sinusitis, asthma and allergies. They are not dangerous in themselves, but they can be persistent and, by blocking the nose, noticeably affect breathing and the sense of smell.
Symptoms of nasal polyps
Nasal polyps tend to cause symptoms related to blockage and to the sense of smell, and these often come on gradually. Common symptoms include:
- •A persistently blocked or stuffy nose
- •A reduced or complete loss of the sense of smell
- •A reduced sense of taste, which follows the loss of smell
- •A runny nose, or a feeling of mucus running down the throat
- •Breathing through the mouth, especially at night
- •A feeling of pressure or fullness in the face or forehead
- •Recurrent sinus infections
What causes nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps develop from chronic (long-term) inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses. Exactly why some people develop polyps and others with similar inflammation do not is not fully understood, but the inflammation causes the lining to swell and, over time, form the soft growths. This is why nasal polyps are strongly associated with conditions that keep the nose and sinuses inflamed.
The conditions most often linked with nasal polyps include chronic sinusitis (long-standing sinus inflammation), asthma, and allergies such as hay fever. There is also a particular association with sensitivity to aspirin and similar anti-inflammatory painkillers in some people. Understanding these links matters because treating the underlying inflammation — for example controlling asthma or allergies — is part of managing polyps and reducing the chance of them coming back after treatment.
How are nasal polyps treated?
The mainstay of treatment for nasal polyps is medication to reduce the inflammation that causes them, most commonly steroid nasal sprays or drops. These are used regularly and can shrink smaller polyps, relieve the blockage, and help prevent them growing back. For larger polyps or more troublesome symptoms, a short course of steroid tablets may be used to shrink them more quickly. Treating any underlying condition, such as allergies or asthma, is an important part of long-term control.
When polyps are large, do not respond to medication, or keep causing significant symptoms, surgery to remove them can be considered. This is usually a relatively minor operation, often done through the nostrils with a small scope, to remove the polyps and improve airflow and drainage. Surgery can be very effective, but because polyps tend to recur if the underlying inflammation continues, ongoing treatment with steroid sprays afterwards is usually needed to keep them from coming back.
Nasal polyps, smell and quality of life
One of the most noticeable and bothersome effects of nasal polyps is their impact on the sense of smell, and therefore taste. When polyps block the upper part of the nose where smell is detected, they can dull or completely remove the sense of smell, which many people find has a real effect on their enjoyment of food and daily life. The good news is that treatment, whether with steroids or surgery, often restores at least some sense of smell.
Because nasal polyps and the loss of smell they cause develop gradually, people sometimes do not realise how blocked their nose or how reduced their smell has become until it is treated. A persistently blocked nose or a fading sense of smell is worth getting checked rather than accepting as normal, as nasal polyps are a common and treatable cause. Restoring nasal airflow can also improve sleep, reduce mouth breathing, and lessen the tendency to sinus infections.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if you have a persistently blocked nose, or a reduced or lost sense of smell, that does not clear up, as nasal polyps are a common and treatable cause worth identifying. Because the symptoms overlap with other nasal conditions like a deviated septum, allergies and chronic sinusitis, assessment helps pin down the cause and direct the right treatment. A doctor can look inside the nose, sometimes with a small scope, to see whether polyps are present.
It is particularly worth seeking advice if nasal symptoms are affecting your sleep, breathing or quality of life, or if you have related conditions like asthma or recurrent sinusitis. Certain symptoms would prompt more urgent assessment, such as a growth or blockage on one side only, blood-stained discharge, or any rapidly changing symptoms, as these need to be checked to be sure of the cause. For the typical gradual blockage and smell loss, though, nasal polyps are usually straightforward to treat.