Soft, non-painful fleshy growths inside the nasal passages and sinuses. There can be one or more, and usually have a teardrop shape. They affect both genders equally and generally appear in young and middle-aged adults.
They are generated by multiple causes, among which include previous infections, asthma, allergies, etc.
Most often, they do not cause any symptoms. When they appear, symptoms tend to be non-specific such as liquid runny nose, decreased sense of smell and/or taste, headache, pressure on the face or the area of the sinuses and hoarseness. They rarely cause breathing difficulties.
The diagnosis should be suspected by clinical examination and by direct inspection by a Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) specialist.
It is advisable to prevent its appearance by controlling allergies and asthma, avoiding nasal irritations. Breathing through the nose in humid environments is also helpful. Nasal washes can be performed to remove mucus and irritating substances that can inflame the mucosa. Only the most severe cases that cause respiratory distress, sleep apnea or asthma outbreaks are to be considered for surgery to remove the polyps. An operation does not ensure that they do not reappear, because they can be recurrent.
You should consult your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, severe headache or sudden worsening of symptoms.
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- Otorrinolaringología. Manual ilustrado. Walter Becker, Hans Heinz, CarlRudolf. Capítulo 2 Nariz, senos paranasales y cara. Pág 132-133.
