Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Nasal Polyps


Nasal Polyps occur in the lining of the nasal cavity or sinuses. They are soft and non-cancerous. These growths are brought about by having a chronic inflammation of these linings. No one really knows what causes this chronic inflammation. Nasal polyps can affect anyone but they are more common in people over the age of forty and in those who have asthma, chronic sinus infections, hay fever and cystic fibrosis. These polyps rarely cause problems especially if they are smaller. The larger polyps can cause problems with breathing and can affect a persons’ ability to smell things properly.
It is believed that some causes of the chronic inflammation of the nasal lining might be bacterial or viral infections. In some cases it can be caused by allergies or the body’s reaction to a fungus. This inflammation causes the vessels in the nose and sinuses to accumulate water in the cells because they become more permeable. In time these vessels will sag because of the effect of gravity on the swollen tissues. The sagging vessels could develop into polyps. It is believed that people who are affected with a severe allergy to environmental fungus and children with cystic fibrosis are more likely to develop nasal polyps. People who have Churg-Stauss syndrome which is a rare disease that causes inflammation in the vessels are also very likely to develop nasal polyps. If a person has a sensitivity to NSAIDS or aspirin they are also likely to develop nasal polyps.
Some common symptoms of nasal polyps range from the simple runny nose to chronic sinus infections. Those affected complain of persistent stuffiness, a loss or decrease in the sense of smell. Complaints of dull headaches, snoring and chronic sinus infections have also been reported.
CT scans are used to test for nasal polyps by determining size, shape and the location of possible polyps. When a child has been diagnosed with having multiple nasal polyps, the doctor may decide to test the child for cystic fibrosis. This is done by doing a sweat test, which consists of measuring the amount of sodium chloride in the child’s perspiration. Small nasal polyps normally do not cause complications especially if there is only one. However, if the polyps are large or if there are several they can lead to some complications. Examples of complications are acute or chronic sinus infections, sleep apnea and altered facial structure which can lead to wide set eyes; this is most likely to occur in people with cystic fibrosis. Sleep apnea is a serious condition which causes an individual to stop breathing for short periods of times while sleeping.
Treatment for nasal polyps range from steroid treatments to surgery. Doctors will prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray to relieve the inflammation and shrink the polyp. This treatment is usually prescribed if there are one or more small polyps. If this treatment proves ineffective the doctor may decide that surgery is the best option. Two types of surgery are used. The first is Polypectomy. This is a procedure in which the polyp is removed completely. The other type of surgery is known as an Endoscopic sinus surgery. In this surgery they not only remove the polyp, they also open the area of the sinuses where the polyps have been forming. In the cases where the chronic sinus infections have been caused by an environmental fungus the doctor may prescribe antifungal medications.
My information came from the following website.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nasal-polyps/ds000498
My picture came from the following website.

1 comment:

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