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Concept
Nasal polyp
Summary
Nasal polyps (NP) are noncancerous growths within the nose or sinuses. Symptoms include trouble breathing through the nose, loss of smell, decreased taste, post nasal drip, and a runny nose. The growths are sac-like, movable, and nontender, though face pain may occasionally occur. They typically occur in both nostrils in those who are affected. Complications may include sinusitis and broadening of the nose.
The exact cause is unclear. They may be related to chronic inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. They occur more commonly among people who have allergies, cystic fibrosis, aspirin sensitivity, or certain infections. The polyp itself represents an overgrowth of the mucous membranes. Diagnosis may be accomplished by looking up the nose. A CT scan may be used to determine the number of polyps and help plan surgery.
Treatment is typically with steroids, often in the form of a nasal spray. If this is not effective, surgery may be considered. The condition often recurs following surgery; thus, continued use of a steroid nasal spray is often recommended. Antihistamines may help with symptoms but do not change the underlying disease. Antibiotics are not required for treatment unless an infection occurs.
About 4% of people currently have nasal polyps while up to 40% of people develop them at some point in their life. They most often occur after the age of 20 and are more frequent in males than females. Nasal polyps have been described since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
Symptoms of polyps include nasal congestion, sinusitis, loss of smell, thick nasal discharge, facial pressure, nasal speech, and mouth breathing. Recurrent sinusitis can result from polyps. Long-term, nasal polyps can cause destruction of the nasal bones and broadening of the nose.
As polyps grow larger, they eventually prolapse into the nasal cavity, resulting in symptoms. The most prominent symptoms of nasal polyps is blockage of the nasal passage.
Official source
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Ontological neighbourhood
Related publications (2)
Influence of TASP-V, a novel neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y-2 agonist, on nasal and bronchial responses evoked by histamine in anaesthetized pigs and in humans
1 In nine anaesthetized pigs we have studied the influence of intranasal or intrabronchial pretreatment with TASP-V, a neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y-2 agonist formed by the attachment of NPY 21-36 to a template-assembled synthetic peptide (TASP), on the functiona ...
1999Differential expression of two different homeobox gene families during mouse tegument morphogenesis
The expression of six genes belonging to two different homeobox gene families was studied during the embryonic and postnatal morphogenesis of head and body regions of the mouse integument. The first family included the Otx1 and Otx2 genes, both related to ...
1994Related concepts (11)
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), also called NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD/N-ERD) or historically aspirin-induced asthma and Samter's Triad, refers to the triad of asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and intolerance of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). AERD most commonly begins in early- to mid-adulthood and is a chronic disease that has no known cure.
Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion is the partial or complete blockage of nasal passages, leading to impaired nasal breathing, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflammation of blood vessels. In about 85% of cases, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing. According to Jason Turowski, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, "we are designed to breathe through our noses from birth—it's the way humans have evolved." This is referred to as "obligate nasal breathing.
Rhinorrhea
Rhinorrhea, rhinorrhoea, or informally runny nose is the free discharge of a thin mucus fluid from the nose; it is a common condition. It is a common symptom of allergies (hay fever) or certain viral infections, such as the common cold or COVID-19. It can be a side effect of crying, exposure to cold temperatures, cocaine abuse, or drug withdrawal, such as from methadone or other opioids. Treatment for rhinorrhea is not usually undertaken, but there are a number of medical treatments and preventive techniques.