Symptoms of nasal polyps and when to see a doctor

Know what nasal polyps are

Nasal polyps are growths of tissue or lumps on the walls of the nasal passages, to be precise in the mucosal layer or mucus in the nose and sinuses.

The cause of the appearance of polyps is still not known with certainty. However, this condition is always associated with inflammation and swelling of the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses.

According to the Mayo Clinic, growths on the walls of the nasal passages and sinuses are easier if you:

have certain diseases, such as asthma, sinusitis, or cystic fibrosis
lack of vitamin D
sensitive to aspirin medication

These bumps or polyps on the nose are harmless and do not have the potential to become cancerous, but they do cause uncomfortable symptoms.

Nasal polyps signs and symptoms

The size of the nasal polyps (nasal) in each person is usually different. That is why, the symptoms that appear can also vary. Usually, this condition will only show certain symptoms when the polyp is large enough.

As explained above, nasal congestion and decreased ability to smell may indicate nasal polyps. However, it turns out that there are other symptoms that you need to pay attention to.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of nasal polyps:

1. Runny or stuffy nose

Inflammation that occurs in the nasal passages can cause the production of mucus or mucus to become more. This is what causes you to continue to feel the runny nose.

In addition, inflammation can also cause swelling, so that the symptoms of a stuffy nose when you have polyps can also be felt. Not to mention the size of the polyp, which may be too large, so you may find it difficult to breathe.

2 . Postnasal drip

The excess mucus or mucus production from nasal polyps does not only affect the nose. Mucus can run down the back of your throat. Well, the mucus pile in the throat that comes from the nose is called postnasal drip .

Postnasal drip This is what causes mucus to build up and cause discomfort in the throat. This is why the symptoms of nasal polyps are also often confused with a sore throat or the common cold cough.

3. Impaired olfactory power

Another symptom of a fairly typical nasal polyp is an impaired sense of smell. This condition is usually divided into 2 types, namely hyposmia and anosmia.

Hyposmia is a condition when the power of smell decreases. The smell of an object or the environment may still be there, but not as strong as when it is healthy.

Another thing with anosmia, which is when you don't smell at all. Sometimes, your sense of taste can also be disturbed, so you can't taste food or drink on your tongue.

Polyps that grow in the nose cause odors not to be accepted by the nerves of smell properly. This symptom is normal if you experience inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

4. Sleep disturbance

Nasal polyp tissue that is large enough to risk blocking air from entering through the nose. Apart from causing difficulty breathing, it is possible that you may wake up frequently at night. This respiratory distress during sleep is commonly referred to as sleep apnea , which could be a symptom of nasal polyps.

Not only that, the growth of polyp tissue in the nose also causes you to snore more often snoring sleep time. This is because polyps can block air in and out of your nose, so you will breathe through your mouth while you sleep. As a result, the sound of snoring is also unavoidable.

5. Headache

The larger size of the polyp can press on your nasal bones and sinus cavities from the inside. This pressure causes a sharp pain, especially in the area of the nose and cheeks. The symptoms of this headache can get worse if you also have sinusitis or chronic inflammation of the sinuses.

When should I see a doctor?

Although not dangerous, the symptoms of nasal polyps should be treated with medical attention as soon as possible. The reason is, polyps can cause chronic inflammation in the nose, which will actually add to the disturbance of your nose.

Therefore, immediately consult a doctor if you experience the following conditions: