Current Health Articles - Understand the Nasal Polyp

There is one more condition, which makes people sick and is called as the Nasal Polyp. Well, it is something that is related to the nose of human being, makes them to feel irritated and ill.
Through the current health articles, one can solve this problem. Those who wanted to get rid out of this problem can check out the Nasal Polyp Surgery that will help a lot. Polyps are actually the swollen skin that links inside the large air spaces, which exist in the bones of your nose that is in general called as sinuses. It seems like small bunches of grapes and exist in 1 to 4 percent of people. As compared to females, polyps could be found two to four times more common in males. Occasionally, the polyps are caused because of the allergy or due to infection. Due to this condition, one will feel short of breathing or unable to breathe, as the polyps inside the nose stops the person to breath easily through nose.
Sometimes, the polyps even block the sinuses in the bones of the nose. More often, this problem occurs due to the sinus, which then brings infections to the nose. Some people even suffer from the polyps that make them insane, who unable to smell as it blocks the part of the nose. If by surgery, polyps are taken out, one can easily breathe through the nose. This might create less trouble with the sinus infections. For this, you will get a general anesthetic and then you will be completely asleep. Over the septum of your nose, a small cut will be done as an operation or surgery. This is how the process starts and the surgeon will solve your problem related to nose.
One thing, which you need to do before the operation, is to stop smoking. You also need to loose your weight if you come under the category of being overweight. The surgery is a little painful and as the operation is in sensitive area of the body, you need to handle everything with care. Read as much current health articles as possible to understand what exactly the Nasal Polyp is and how you need to undergo Nasal Polyp Surgery.

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Personal Experience with Nasal Polyps

I did not realize that I am suffering for Nasal Polyps until one day I realized that I could not smell anything. I had recurring headache and difficulty breathing through my nose. I also have a permanent running nose as if I was having a cold. I took asprin and running nose tablets but it's won't go away. This affect by daily schedule and I had to takemedical leave often.
I decided to find out the cause of my headache and running nose. I did a personal examination of my nose as was surprise to feel that my nasal septum is deviated into the right side. I decided to see a GP about it. The doctor confirmed that my nasal septum is severely deviated into the right side. He referred me to an ENT Specialist, who did a rigid endosopic examination.
The ENT Specialist also confirmed that my nasal septum had severely deviated into the right side. He also told me that I am suffering from Nasal Polyps which required surgical as the polyps have completely obstructing my nasal cavity. Nasal Polyps is defined as fleshly swelling small, sac-like growths consisting of inflammation nasal mucosa that grow on the lining of the nose sinuses. They may be yellowish, grey or pink in color and can very greatly in size. Polyps can either grow singly or in cluster and they usually affect both nostril.
Nasal Polyps can be graded into four types, which are:
o- No visible polyps
1- Polyps confined to middle meatus
2-Polyps beyond middle meatus but not completely obstructing the cavity
While in my case it already a grade 3 stage-Polyps completely obstructing the nasal cavity
A temporary remedy was recommended by the ENT Specialist and at the same time a CT scan was also done to determine the severity of the diseases. A combination of steroids and nasal spray was prescribed for me. The Nasal spray could reduce the inflammation in my nose and also shrink the polyps. I could only felt the effect after two weeks of using the medicine. Even though I was on medication, I still have difficulty in breathing through my nose and my headache still coming.
I had the surgical treatment done three months later. The procedure is called Polypectomy. This procedure can be used to remove most polyps. It is performed through the nostrils. It is done under local or general anaesthetic, as small surgical instrument are inserted into my nostrils to cut out the polyps. Another type of procedure is Endoscopic sinus surgery. This is a more extensive procedure that not only removed polyps but also opens the parts of the sinus cavity where polyps usually form. If your sinuses are very blocked or inflamed, your surgeon uses a thin rigid tube and a camera called video endoscope. Because endoscopic surgery required small incisions, you generally more quickly and with less discomfort that with other type of surgery.
I regained conscious three hours later with my nose bandaged and have difficulty breathing. I had to use my mouth to breath. I almost choked by my own blood which had clout inside my throat. I had to force it out before I could breathe properly using my mouth. After discharged from the hospital; I was put on medication. I was prescribed both the steroid tablets and the steroid nasal spray. I fully recovered several weeks latter. I was also told to come back every two months for the first year after the operation and twice a year during the second year. According to the doctor the polyps would eventually re-grow and he was right about it and I was wrong. After the third year I though that the polyps would grow back and discontinue on the medication; but I was wrong. Now in 2006 I still having the same problem; headache, breathing difficulty and running nose.
In many cases, polyps can't be prevented. But if you could manage your symptoms, it may reduce the chances that polyps will develop or recur. I had learned from my experience that taking medications as advised by the doctor and avoiding indoor and outdoor allergent and pollutants would help.
I would like to know if there is any alternative treatment for nasal polyps. I am trying to cut down on hot and spicy food and avoiding dusty area.
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Do You Recognize The 7 Early Warning Signs Of Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are small nodules inside the nasal passages. They can be the cause of post nasal drip, sinus problems and can even obstruct breathing. Knowing the early warning signs of nasal polyps can help you diagnose and treat the problem. If you have any of these symptoms or warning signs, you should discuss them with your doctor. He can perform some tests to diagnose the nasal polyps and will recommend the proper treatment.
You can have one nasal polyp or there can be multiple polyps that can be clustered together. The polyps are soft with a consistency of jelly. If they are very small they may pose no problem. When a nasal polyp is large or is in a particular spot, it may block the nasal passages. This restriction can obstruct the airways, making it difficult to breathe through your nose.
Many people may unknowingly be suffering from nasal polyps and hence, not receiving the proper treatment. Here are 7 early warning signs of nasal polyps to look out for.
1. Mouth breathing - Any obstruction of the nasal passageways can result in mouth breathing. However, if mouth breathing is chronic or is not associated with a cold, it may be caused by nasal polyps.
2. Runny nose - A continuous runny nose with no other associated symptoms may be the result of nasal polyps. Allergies can cause a runny nose but they may also cause any polyps that are present to enlarge, making symptoms more noticeable.
3. Persistent stuffiness- Nasal polyps can cause the nasal passages to be blocked and therefore create the feeling of having a stuffy nose. The symptoms may or may not affect both nostrils.
4. Chronic sinus infections - If you have chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps may be to blame. Sinus infections are more likely to occur after a cold in those with nasal polyps, as the latter can become infected or can cause the passageways to hold more mucus than usual.
5. Loss or diminished sense of smell - Nasal polyps can cause a loss of smell. The polyps can block the membranes responsible for helping our sense of smell.
6. Dull headaches - If you get frequent, dull headaches, nasal polyps may be to blame. The result is a dull ache that is similar to a sinus headache, as the polyps create pressure in the nasal passages.
7. Snoring - There are many reasons for snoring. If the snoring is chronic, nasal polyps may be to blame. Often overlooked, nasal polyps are a common cause of snoring.
Although only a doctor can identify and diagnose nasal polyps, the above are some of the early warning signs that suggest the potential existence of polyps. If you have one or more of these symptoms bring them to the attention of your doctor.
Nasal polyps are often treated successfully with medications, such as prescription nasal sprays, which help keep the polyps small enough so that they are not a problem. For nasal polyps that are large or numerous, surgery is often the recommended form of treatment.

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Nasal Polyps- A Primer

Nasal polyps are a well known cause of sinus pressure and pain and occur in the nasal and sinus passages of many people. Chronic sinus sufferers may have anatomical obstructions in their nasal and sinus cavities, and nasal polyps are one of the most common of these. This article will briefly discuss the causes and effects of having nasal polyps.
Doctors are not 100% certain what the precise causes of nasal polyps are. In general it is thought that chronic inflammation in the nasal cavities can cause polyps to grow, often resulting in blockage of the sinus passages and resulting in infections. In addition, it appears that aspirin intolerance also seems to increase the likelihood of nasal polyps. Men over 40 years of age are more prone to develop polyps than are women or people in other age groups, unless asthma is a concurrent condition. It is not believed that allergies are the main cause of polyp growth since they occur in just as many people who do not have nasal allergies as in those who do.
Some physicians say that polyps are more likely to grow in people who also suffer from asthma. Dr. M. Lee Williams in his book entitled "The Sinusitis Help Book" writes: "It is often surprising how many asthmatics with sinusitis already have, or eventually go on to develop, nasal or sinus polyps, and how much improvement in their asthma may sometimes result from removing the polyps and clearing up their obstructive sinus disease." He continues: "Unfortunately, even after polyps have been removed, more than one-third of the patients with nasal polyps will have a recurrence of them, and this is especially true for those with superimposed allergy, frequent sinus infections, repeated colds, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or aspirin intolerance."
Polyps are not a separate growth, as is a tumor, and they consist of the same tissue as does their surrounding areas. The polyp tissue can contain cilia and secrete mucous, but sometimes the tissue hardens and flattens and the cilia are lost due to chronic infection or from being irritated by constant exposure to the nasal air stream.
Nasal polyps are often described as looking like some sort of rounded grape-like growth. Adding obstructions inside the nose, polyps can block the drainage passageways and therefore result in bacteria growth and infection. Polyps that develop in other parts of the body can become cancerous, but in general that is not the case with nasal polyps. Normally doctors do not seek biopsies when treating polyps in the nasal and sinus cavities.
Nasal polyps can often be controlled using mediations, especially corticosteroid medications like prednisone or steroid sprays. If the polyps cannot be controlled by medication, surgery might be necessary. In some patients who have polyps, no blockage occurs and in such cases many doctors will choose to forego surgery. Unfortunately, polyps have a strong tendency to return after they have been surgically removed.
It should be noted that nasal irrigation is not recommended for people with nasal polyps. This is because the pressure from the nasal irrigation procedure can be traumatic in that the fluid stream of saline solution would be pushing against the sensitive and exposed tissue of the polyp.
As is the case with other anatomical obstructions in the nasal cavities such as swollen turbinates or cysts, nasal polyps often cause blockage and can result in chronic sinus infections. Sinus sufferers should consult their physicians and have them determine if they have nasal or sinus polyps, and seek appropriate treatment. Fortunately nasal polyps can often be treated successfully with medications alone and surgery is not always a necessity.

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