Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation due to asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders.
Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of nasal polyps can block the nasal passages or lead to breathing problems, a lost sense of smell and frequent infections.
Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but they're more common in adults.
Symptoms
Nasal polyps are associated with inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks (chronic rhinosinusitis, also known as chronic sinusitis). However, it's possible — and even somewhat more likely — to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps themselves are soft and lack sensation, so if they're small you may not be aware you have them. Multiple growths or a large polyp may block your nasal passages and sinuses.
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:
* A runny nose Persistent
*Decreased or absent sense of smell
*Loss of sense of taste
*Facial pain or headache
*Pain in the upper teeth
*A sense of pressure over forehead & face
*Snoring
Causes
Scientists don't yet fully understand what causes nasal polyps. It's not clear why some people develop chronic inflammation or why ongoing inflammation triggers polyp formation in some people and not in others. The inflammation occurs in the fluid-producing lining (mucous membrane) of your nose and sinuses. There's some evidence that people who develop polyps have a different immune system response and different chemical markers in their mucous membranes than do those who don't develop polyps.
Nasal polyps can form at any age, but they're most common in young and middle-aged adults. Nasal polyps may form anywhere in your sinuses or nasal passages, but they appear most often in an area where sinuses near your eyes, nose and cheekbones all drain through winding passages into nose.
Risk factors
Any condition that triggers chronic inflammation in your nasal passages or sinuses, such as infections or allergies, may increase your risk of developing nasal polyps. Conditions often associated with nasal polyps include:
* Asthma, a disease that causes overall airway inflammation and constriction
* Aspirin sensitivity sensitivity may cause some people to be more likely to develop nasal polyps
* Allergic fungal sinusitis, fungal sinusitis, an allergy to airborne fungi
* Cystic fibrosis, fibrosis, a genetic disorder that results in the production and secretion of abnormally thick, sticky fluids, including thick mucus from nasal and sinus membranes
The family history also may play a role. There's some evidence that certain genetic variations associated with immune system function make you more likely to develop nasal polyps.
Complications:
Nasal polyps can cause complications because they block normal airflow and fluid drainage, and also because of the chronic inflammation underlying their development.
Potential complications include:
*Obstructive sleep apnea. In this potentially serious condition, you stop and start breathing frequently during sleep.Asthma flare-ups.
* Chronic rhinosinusitis can aggravate asthma.
* Sinus infections. Nasal polyps can make more susceptible to sinus infections that recur often or become chronic.
Prevention
You may help reduce your chances of developing nasal polyps or having nasal polyps recur after treatment with the following strategies:
* Manage allergies and asthma.
* Avoid nasal irritants. As much as possible, avoid breathing airborne substances that are likely to contribute to inflammation or irritation of your nose and sinuses, such as allergens, tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and dust and fine debris.Practice good hygiene.
* Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. This is one of the best ways to protect against bacterial and viral infections that can cause inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses.
* Humidify your home. Use a humidifier if the air in your home tends to be dry. This may help moisten your breathing passages, improve the flow of mucus from the sinuses, and help prevent blockage and inflammation.
Nasal polyps and Homoepathy:
Homoeopathy uses infinitesimal doses of natural substances to stimulate a person's immune system and body's natural defenses. Homeopathy not only offers relief from temporary disorders but, can provide long term healing of a person due to its individual and "wholistic" approach. This often leads to a complete recovery from the disease, as well as, providing an improved understanding of the patient's situation. This type of healing makes it easier and possible to avoid recurrence or relapses in the future and homeopathy stimulates the body's natural defense system by re-establishing normal immune system and cell functioning. Miasmatic analysis is integral part of Homoeopathic evaluation of every individual case of chronic disease.
Nasal polyps are considered a case for surgery under the conventional mode of medicine. However, Homeopathic mode of treatment offers an alternative by treating nasal polyps internally, without invasive procedures. Homeopathic medicines which are both natural and safe, attack the disease at the root and set off the body’s own restorative processes for complete treatment. Some top rated Homeopathic medicines for treating nasal polyps are Teucrium Marum, Lemna Minor, Sanguinaria Nitricum, Allium Cepa, Kali Bichromicum and Calcarea Carb.
