Treatment for Nasal Polyps in Palm Harbor, FL

Nasal polyps are benign tumors that grow in your nasal passages. If the polyps grow large enough, they can cause blockages in your airways. They are often a side effect of another health condition like allergies or an infection. We are just a short drive from Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tampa.

What Are the Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are often ignored due to the fact that the symptoms are similar to the common cold or allergies. Symptoms often include:

• Sinus pressure

• Runny nose

• Decreased sensitivity to taste and smell

• Chronic sinus headaches

• Chronic nasal congestion

• Facial pain

• Asthmatic symptoms

What Causes Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are created from the inflammation in the mucous membrane within the sinus. The inflammation is caused from any irritation of the sinus such as allergies, blowing or wiping your nose, colds, and the flu.

Physicians believe that the reason nasal polyps develop in some people but not others is the immune system's response and genetic chemical makeup of the mucous membrane.

Though nasal polyps are possible in everyone, they most commonly form in people with:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

• Allergic fungal sinusitis

• Sinusitis (chronic sinus infections)

• Cystic fibrosis

• Asthma

• Family history of nasal polyps
  
  

Treatment Options

There are multiple forms of treatment for nasal polyps that a physician will prescribe, such as:

Medications for Nasal Polyps

Physicians may prescribe medication to control underlying causes of nasal polyps like allergies and infections before taking further measures.

• Corticosteroid nasal spray (Flonase, Nasonex)

• Oral corticosteroids (Presdnisone) for severe cases

• Antihistamines and decongestants for minor cases

Surgery for Nasal Polyps

Endoscopic procedures are normally performed for nasal polyps. The physician will use a small nasal telescope that can precisely remove nasal polyps while avoiding damaging tissue. Surgery is only done for the more severe cases of nasal polyps or when medication is not effective. Ongoing medication might be needed after the procedure for patients with certain conditions such as asthma or other sensitivities.

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