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Nasal polyps
What causes nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a common otolaryngological condition, primarily formed due to chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity in patients, or stimulation from smoking, drinking, and physicochemical factors of air pollution, leading to the proliferation of tissues in the nasal cavity and sinuses. The main symptoms caused by nasal polyps include nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and nasal bleeding. The most effective treatment for nasal polyps is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves the removal of the proliferative polyp tissues, thereby restoring normal ventilation and physiological functions to the nasal cavity and improving the patient's symptoms.
The difference between nasal polyps and nasal cancer
Nasal polyps and nasal cancer are both relatively common otolaryngological diseases, but they belong to different types. Nasal polyps are benign lesions, which do not pose a significant risk to health, while nasal cancer is a malignant tumor, which comparatively poses a greater risk to health. In terms of examination, differentiation can be made through nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans. Generally, nasal polyps tend to grow in the middle nasal passage and the olfactory area, whereas nasal cancer is more commonly found in the nasopharyngeal region or within the sinuses. Overall, these two diseases are fundamentally different, and it is advisable to visit an otolaryngologist for further examination and treatment.
How to deal with nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. Clinically, the first step is to assess the extent of the nasal polyps. If the polyps are few and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, medical treatment can be considered, and regular re-examinations with a nasopharyngoscope are needed to monitor the recovery. If there are numerous polyps and the response to standardized medication is poor, surgical removal might be necessary. Currently, endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery is commonly used. Regular postoperative check-ups are also required to observe the recovery. Generally, it is advisable to rinse the nasal cavity with saline solution to aid in postoperative recovery. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Can nasal polyps be operated on in the outpatient clinic?
Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. Pathologically, nasal polyps are benign tumors. Clinically, the primary treatment is the surgical removal of nasal polyps followed by regular outpatient follow-ups to prevent recurrence. Currently, the surgery for nasal polyps is generally performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of nasal polyps and sinus opening procedures, which are functional surgeries. Such surgeries require hospitalization and are conducted under endoscopy, typically under general anesthesia. Although in some regions, the surgery may be performed under local anesthesia, hospitalization is still required for the procedure, and it is generally not conducted on an outpatient basis.
Is nasal polyp fungus contagious?
Nasal polyps accompanied by fungal infection generally are not contagious to each other. This disease is not infectious and does not have direct contagion. However, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist promptly after symptoms appear. The patient will need to undergo a nasal endoscopy and a sinus CT scan to assess the severity of the condition. Most patients may need to consider surgical treatment, and after surgery, regular follow-up visits are required to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure. One to two weeks after surgery, nasal irrigation should be performed, which can be done using saline or physiological seawater to help reduce the retention of nasal secretions.
What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are a fairly common otolaryngological condition with a relatively high incidence clinically. There is significant individual variation in clinical symptoms. Some patients have few nasal polyps and might not show obvious clinical symptoms; these are often discovered only during a physical examination or a nasopharyngoscopy. Other patients may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. In cases where the polyps are particularly numerous and have been present for a long time, they may even cause deformities of the nose, such as a "frog nose" or "saddle nose." In such cases, timely surgical treatment should be considered, and regular follow-up inspections are needed to monitor for any recurrence.
Can nasal polyps sinusitis be cured completely?
Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of one or more groups of nasal sinuses, often accompanied by nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are lychee-like, semitransparent, grayish-white growths that are soft in texture and visible inside the nasal cavity. In such cases, it is advisable to consider functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia and nasal endoscopy to remove the polyps and ethmoid sinuses. After the surgery, it is essential to perform regular cleaning, reduce inflammation, and provide antihistamine treatment, as sinusitis often leads to the recurrence of nasal polyps. Furthermore, allergens can also trigger the recurrence of nasal polyps. Therefore, after surgery, regular follow-ups, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine treatments are necessary. Generally, with such management, nasal polyps and sinusitis can be effectively cured.
How come there is bleeding from nasal polyps?
Patients with nasal polyps experiencing nosebleeds can have many causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, erosion of the nasal mucosa, dry nasal cavities, or rupture of small blood vessels. Some patients may have sinusitis accompanying their nasal polyps, with significant inflammatory responses that could also lead to nosebleeds. However, it's necessary to check for other conditions, such as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, malignant tumors in the nasal cavity or sinuses, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, or blood disorders like coagulation dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. It is advisable to visit an ENT specialist and undergo nasopharyngoscopy, sinus CT scans, blood tests, and coagulation function tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
What medicine is good for nasal polyps to heal quickly?
Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity, sometimes originating from the sinuses, characterized as translucent, colorless, lychee-like neoplasms without blood vessels or nerve distribution. Clinically, nasal polyps are primarily diagnosed and removed during nasal endoscopic surgery. Certain medications can be used early in the development of nasal polyps, including corticosteroid drugs such as nasal sprays, nasal corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids. These can control, and in some very small cases, even eliminate nasal polyps. However, this possibility is extremely rare in clinical practice because by the time patients seek treatment for nasal polyps at a hospital, the polyps are usually relatively large, and these medications are no longer effective for fundamental treatment. Therefore, nasal polyps are generally treated surgically. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
Is nasal polyps prone to recurrence?
Some patients have nasal polyps that tend to recur. Clinically speaking, nasal polyps are a relatively common nasal disease. If the nasal polyps are more extensive, have been present for a longer time, or are characterized by abundant eosinophilic granulocytes, the likelihood of recurrence is relatively higher. If the duration of nasal polyps is relatively short, the lesions are more localized, and there are no accompanying pathological changes or inflammatory reactions, the probability of recurrence is relatively lower. In such cases, it is generally necessary to have regular follow-up examinations after treatment, and then to make a comprehensive assessment based on the doctor's empirical judgment.