What is the cause of bleeding from nasal polyps?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 28, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common clinical disease, with various symptoms. Common symptoms include bleeding, as well as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. The bleeding caused by nasal polyps may be due to the condition of the polyps themselves, with some patients experiencing bleeding polyps that bleed repeatedly. It could also be due to inflammation associated with the polyps, or erosion of the nasal mucosa or small blood vessels in the nasal cavity rupturing and causing bleeding. Therefore, when such symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department for tests such as a complete blood count, coagulation function tests, nasopharyngoscopy, and a sinus CT scan to determine the specific cause of the condition.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps have any harm?

Nasal polyps are abnormal tissue structures and pathological in nature, thus posing several risks to human health. Firstly, they obstruct nasal airflow because nasal polyps block the normal respiratory and ventilation passages, causing the primary sensation of nasal congestion and difficulty in breathing through the nose. Secondly, they impair the sense of smell. Nasal polyps obstruct the nasal cavity, preventing odors from smoothly reaching the olfactory area, leading to diminished olfactory perception. Thirdly, if the nasal polyps persist for too long and grow excessively large, they can result in acute changes in the nose, the most common being a "frog-like nose." This condition makes the nose appear flattened and broad like a frog's, lying against the face which is cosmetically unappealing.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps cause nosebleeds?

Patients with nasal polyps who experience nosebleeds should visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Some patients have bleeding caused by nasal polyps, while others may bleed due to erosion of the nasal mucosa or rupture of small blood vessels. A small number of patients might have bleeding due to tumorous lesions. Therefore, after seeing an ENT specialist, it is necessary to undergo a nasal endoscopy, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to clarify the specific cause of the condition. Some patients might choose conservative medical treatment, some may require nasal packing to stop the bleeding, and others, if conservative treatment is ineffective, may need to consider surgical treatment.

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Can nasal polyps become cancerous?

Nasal polyps are growths in the nasal cavity mucosa that form due to inflammation, edema, and the effects of gravity, resembling lychee-like neoplasms. They are relatively soft and do not bleed easily upon formation. Their stalk mainly originates from the middle nasal meatus, making nasal polyps a benign tissue lesion that will not become cancerous. However, prolonged growth of polyps may lead to deformation of the nasal cavity, obstructing ventilation and drainage, which can cause sinusitis, nasal congestion, headaches, and more. Therefore, early-stage nasal polyps can be conservatively treated with internal medicine. If there is nasal obstruction, aggressive growth, or purulent nasal discharge, surgical treatment is generally recommended to prevent recurrence.

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How long does nasal polyp surgery take?

The duration of hospitalization for nasal polyp surgery is approximately one week, as the surgery requires general anesthesia. Patients need to undergo endoscopic nasal polyp removal and cleaning of the nasal and sinus mucosa. Prior to surgery, routine examinations such as urine and blood tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and hepatitis B tests are required, along with consultations from relevant departments like respiratory medicine, internal medicine, and anesthesiology to fully assess the patient's vital status. After the surgery, patients need to use an expandable sponge to fill the nasal cavity to prevent local bleeding, and postoperative antibiotics are necessary to avoid local infections. If the patient does not have a fever or local bleeding, they can be discharged a week post-surgery. During the treatment period, it is recommended to drink more water and rest adequately.