Choice of medicine from doctors and natural remedies that can treat nasal polyps

Medication to treat nasal polyps without surgery

Nasal polyps are disorders of the nose that are usually painless, non-cancerous, and develop soft.

In general, this condition is caused by inflammation such as asthma, recurring infections, allergies or sensitivity to certain drugs, and immune disorders. While they don't sound harmless, polyps can cover your nose and interfere with breathing.

Well, the treatment of nasal polyps usually begins with the use of drugs prescribed by a doctor. Most of the prescription drugs work by reducing inflammation of the nasal or respiratory passages.

The goal is of course that the tissue inside the nose is stunted or shrinks. Thus, symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and runny nose can be overcome.

Apart from medicines from your doctor, you can also do simple ways at home to help treat nasal polyps.

Here are a variety of medicines from doctors as well as natural ingredients that can be relied on to treat nasal polyps.

1. Nasal corticosteroids

Nasal corticosteroid medications can help reduce swelling and inflammation that is in the respiratory tract. Usually, after consulting your doctor, you will be prescribed a steroid drug that can treat nasal polyps.

This medication is available as a nasal spray which must be used every day. However, it is also possible that this medication should only be used when the symptoms of nasal polyps interfere with your activities.

This corticosteroid drug is usually used to reduce polyps to eliminate them completely. Of course, every treatment has side effects, such as throat irritation, headaches, and nosebleeds.

2. Oral corticosteroids

Well, if nasal corticosteroid medication no longer works to treat your nasal polyps, your doctor may prescribe oral or drink corticosteroids.

Oral corticosteroids can be pill, tablet, or liquid medicine. Similar to nasal corticosteroids, these drugs will help relieve inflammation and swelling in the respiratory tract. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking oral and nasal corticosteroids together for maximum results.

Usually, you only take it for a very short period of time because this type of drug has serious side effects if not used properly, such as nausea, insomnia, and indigestion.

3. Steroid tablets

If the polyps in your nose are getting worse, tablets with steroid hormones are one of the effective drugs to treat this disorder. Well, usually there are two ways to use this drug, namely by spraying the drug into the nostrils or drinking an oral tablet.

Although effective, the side effects should not be underestimated, such as weight gain. Because of this, this type of nasal polyp medication is only used for a few weeks.

4. Antihistamines

In addition to the drugs above, you can also take antihistamines for nasal polyps associated with allergies. Antihistamines work by suppressing the production of histamine, a compound in the body that triggers an allergic reaction.

Antihistamines are drugs that are classified as safe. You can get this drug at a pharmacy without using a doctor's prescription. However, it would be better if you consult with your doctor first, especially if your nasal polyps are related to allergies.

5. Antibiotics

Some cases of nasal polyps are caused by bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus . For nasal polyps that are caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics so that the body is able to fight off bacterial attacks.

One type of antibiotic that can be consumed to shrink nasal polyps is doxycycline. In some cases, doxycycline can be combined with the corticosteroid type methylprednisolone and can reduce nasal polyps effectively.

Antibiotics are usually only done in the short term. In addition, antibiotics only work in cases of nasal polyps that are caused by bacteria, not viruses or fungi.

6. Aspirin desensitization

Nasal polyps can also be treated with medication aspirin desensitization . This treatment is specifically for people with nasal polyps who are sensitive to aspirin. This is because some cases of nasal polyps have been linked to an allergic body condition to aspirin.

A study from Current Allergy and Asthma Reports shows that treatment aspirin desensitization succeeded in reducing the number of nasal polyp patients undergoing surgery and hospitalization.

Of course, aspirin desensitization reserved only for people with an aspirin allergy. Not everyone with nasal polyps needs this method of treatment.

7. Antileucotrients

Another drug option for nasal polyps is an antileucotrient, also known by the name leukotriene modifier . This drug works effectively to reduce inflammation, and reduce symptoms of difficulty breathing.

Compared with corticosteroids, antileukotrien drugs are considered to have fewer side effects. However, the success rate in reducing inflammation is not as good as corticosteroid drugs.

Natural remedy for nasal polyps

Apart from medical treatment, you can also take advantage of natural ingredients that you can mostly find in your home.

However, it is important to remember that you cannot rely entirely on natural remedies to shrink nasal polyps. The forms of treatment below are also accompanied by medical drugs.

Here are some natural ways you can use to cure the symptoms of nasal polyps.

1. Tea tree oil

Maybe you are more familiar with tea tree oil as an acne-fighting drug. In fact, this versatile oil is also known as a natural remedy for treating the symptoms of nasal polyps.

According to a study from Clinical Microbiology Reviews , tea tree oil believed to fight fungal infections in the body. Other than that, tea tree oil it is also enriched with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to be able to relieve symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. Well, fungal infections and respiratory diseases are some of the risk factors for the appearance of nasal polyps.

Interested in trying it? Here are the steps you can follow to put on tea tree oil as a symptom reliever drug for nasal polyps:

Mix water with tea tree oil and 3-5 drops of solvent oil. Usually, it is recommended to use almond oil or olive oil.
Stir until it is runny, then dip a clean cotton swab and dab the liquid on your nose.

2. Garlic

You are certainly familiar with garlic. Yes, this traditional spice is commonly used in various types of food. In addition to cooking ingredients, it turns out that you can also use garlic as a nasal polyp medication, you know.

There have been many studies that state that garlic is nutritious for the health of your body. One of them is a study from Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine , who explained that garlic contains anti-inflammatory substances to treat inflammation. Plus, garlic is believed to boost the immune system and fight bacterial infections.

Because the aroma and taste are quite sharp, you can use it as a spice mixture as usual. Or, you can also consume it with a mixture of fruit juice and consume it 2 times a day.

3. Ginger

Ginger is one of the traditional ingredients that is best enjoyed as a warm drink or cooked as a spice in food. The goodness contained in ginger can actually be used as a remedy for nasal polyps.

Similar to garlic, ginger provides anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve inflammation in the body. In addition, ginger also contains antioxidants that help the body ward off free radicals that trigger damage to body cells.

Well, its use is almost the same as garlic. Simply add ginger powder to your diet, in a measure that suits your taste. Another alternative is that brewing a cup of warm ginger tea can reduce the symptoms of nasal polyps.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is also included in traditional plants that you often encounter in the form of herbal drinks or cooking spices. Well, this spice with a distinctive yellow color is believed to help relieve symptoms of inflammation, including nasal polyps.

This is explained in a study from Phytoterapia . According to the study, turmeric can help deal with inflammation and irritation in the respiratory tract.

However, there are no studies that suggest turmeric can be a remedy for curing nasal polyps completely. However, there is nothing wrong with trying this spice to reduce the symptoms of nasal polyps that you are experiencing.

Add 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric to your cooking. In addition, you can also mix turmeric with tea or honey to drink while it's still warm.

5. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is believed to bring many health benefits, so this plant is also recommended as a natural remedy for nasal polyps.

Based on a study from PLoS One The high cineole content in eucalyptus oil provides an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Plus, eucalyptus oil is widely used as a natural remedy for respiratory problems.

To use eucalyptus oil, you can use diffuser or hot water, then inhale the steam that has been mixed with this oil. You can also mix this oil with water, then pat your nose with a cotton ball soaked in eucalyptus oil mixed water.

6. Chamomile

Another plant that is believed to be effective in relieving symptoms of nasal polyps is chamomile, which you may have come across in the form of teas or essential oils.

Launch from Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants , Chamomile flowers contain anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve swelling due to inflammation. Apart from that, this plant also exhibits good anti-allergic effects.

It is important to emphasize that this natural remedy for nasal polyps cannot be completely relied on. Usually, this method is used when the symptoms of the disorder are still in the mild category. Therefore, if the symptoms are getting worse, seeing a doctor is the most effective way

For cases of nasal polyps that are quite severe and large in size, usually the methods above are no longer successful in reducing the size of the polyps. Therefore, it is likely that the doctor will advise you to undergo surgery to remove nasal polyps or nasal polypectomy .