What Are Nasal Polyps and How Are They Treated?

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If you constantly feel congested, cannot breathe through your nose, or have lost your sense of smell, nasal polyps may be the cause.

Nasal polyps are a very common condition treated by ENT specialists and are often associated with chronic sinus inflammation and sinus infections. At SCENT Houston, Dr. Madeleine S. Herman frequently evaluates and treats patients suffering from nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and loss of smell.

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous growths that develop inside the nose and sinuses due to chronic inflammation.

They are typically:

• Smooth and pale in appearance

• Painless

• Found inside the nasal passages or sinuses

• Associated with chronic swelling of the sinus lining

Small polyps may not cause symptoms, but larger polyps can block airflow and sinus drainage.

What Causes Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are usually caused by chronic inflammation inside the nose and sinuses. Conditions commonly associated with nasal polyps include:

• Chronic sinusitis

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Aspirin sensitivity (AERD)

• Recurrent sinus infections

• Chronic inflammation

Some patients are simply more prone to developing polyps over time.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

Common symptoms include:

• Chronic nasal congestion

• Difficulty breathing through the nose

• Loss or decreased sense of smell

• Runny nose

• Postnasal drip

• Facial pressure

• Recurrent sinus infections

• Snoring

• Poor sleep quality

Many patients with nasal polyps feel like they always have a “stuffy nose” that never fully improves.

How Are Nasal Polyps Diagnosed?

An ENT specialist can often diagnose nasal polyps during an office examination using a nasal endoscope.

A nasal endoscope is a small camera that allows your ENT doctor to look deep inside the nasal passages and sinuses.

In some cases, a CT scan of the sinuses may also be recommended to evaluate:

• The size of the polyps

• Chronic sinus inflammation

• Sinus blockage

• Anatomy of the sinuses

At SCENT Houston, we use advanced diagnostic tools, including in-office nasal endoscopy and CT imaging, to evaluate chronic sinus problems and nasal obstruction.

How Are Nasal Polyps Treated?

Treatment depends on the size of the polyps and the severity of symptoms.

1. Nasal Steroid Sprays

Nasal steroid sprays are often the first treatment for nasal polyps. These medications help decrease inflammation and may shrink smaller polyps over time.

Examples include:

• Flonase

• Nasonex

• Rhinocort

• Xhance

2. Saline Irrigations

Saline rinses help clear mucus, allergens, and irritants from the nose and sinuses while improving nasal moisture.

3. Oral Steroids

For severe inflammation or large polyps, a short course of oral steroids may temporarily shrink polyps and improve breathing and smell.

Because oral steroids can have side effects, they are typically not used long-term.

4. Allergy Treatment

If allergies are contributing to inflammation, allergy treatment may help reduce symptoms and recurrence.

5. Biologic Medications

Some patients with severe recurrent nasal polyps may benefit from newer injectable biologic medications such as:

• Dupixent

• Nucala

• Xolair

These medications target inflammation pathways associated with chronic sinus disease and nasal polyps.

6. Sinus Surgery for Nasal Polyps

When medications are not enough, endoscopic sinus surgery may be recommended.

Sinus surgery can:

• Remove nasal polyps

• Open blocked sinuses

• Improve breathing

• Restore sinus drainage

• Improve access for medications and rinses

Modern sinus surgery is minimally invasive and performed entirely through the nostrils without external incisions.

Can Nasal Polyps Come Back?

Yes. Nasal polyps are often part of a chronic inflammatory condition, so ongoing medical treatment is usually important even after surgery.

Long-term management may include:

• Nasal steroid sprays

• Saline irrigations

• Allergy management

• Follow-up with your ENT specialist

  
  

When Should You See an ENT for Nasal Polyps?

You should consider seeing an ENT specialist if you have:

• Chronic nasal congestion

• Recurrent sinus infections

• Loss of smell

• Difficulty breathing through your nose

• Symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks

• Poor response to allergy medications

Persistent nasal blockage is not something you simply have to live with.

Nasal Polyp Treatment in Houston

At SCENT Houston, we specialize in diagnosing and treating:

• Nasal polyps

• Chronic sinusitis

• Nasal obstruction

• Allergies

• Loss of smell

• Recurrent sinus infections

  
  

Dr. Madeleine Herman provides personalized treatment plans ranging from medical therapy to advanced minimally invasive sinus surgery.

If you are struggling with chronic congestion or sinus symptoms, schedule an evaluation with our Houston ENT team today.

Call 833-723-6863

Email us at info@scenthouston.com

Visit us at 2450 Fondren Rd Ste 130, Houston, TX 77063