Nasal Polyps Treatment

Nasal polyps should not be left untreated, as they will keep growing and cause serious problems and embarrassment. Conventional nasal polyps treatment is via two routes - steroid therapy or surgical removal.

In most cases, the first line of treatment is a steroid course, which may involve steroid sprays, steroid tablets or a combination of the two. Steroids can shrink down the polyps in about a week; however the shrinkage will be sustained only as long as the steroids are used. Once the steroids are stopped, the polyps will start growing again, and often to a larger size than they were before. Unfortunately, steroids can only be used for the short term, as they cause side effects such as headaches, nose bleeds, sore throats, vision loss, and increase the risk of glaucoma and cataract formation. In children, steroids can cause stunted growth. With steroid tablets, weight gain often occurs. If you have not started steroid therapy, DON'T! This will save you from getting stuck in a vicious cycle where you'll have to rely on steroids to keep the polyps down.

The other conventional cure for nasal polyps is surgical removal, and this can be done in two ways. Polypectomy is removal of the polyps by getting at them through the nostrils. It is the most common type of nasal polyps surgery and apart from the polyps, some bone will be removed in an attempt to reduce the rate of re-growth.

The other type of surgery is endoscopic sinus surgery, and this procedure will be used for large polyps or where there are clusters of them. In this procedure, a cut is made in the face, and the polyps are removed by entering through these cuts.

Unfortunately, even surgery is not a permanent cure for nasal polyps, with a staggering 75% of the patients undergoing surgery experiencing a nasal polyps re-growth within a few weeks after the procedure. This is because the underlying cause of the polyps will not have been tackled, and the nasal passage will quickly become inflamed again, resulting in new polyps growth. In light of this, one wonders why anyone would opt for surgery, as it is expensive (nasal polyps surgery costs between $3,000 to over $30,000) and carries many risks such as eye damage and the possibility of causing growth of scar tissue. If the polyps are very high up the nose, there is a possibility of brain fluid leakage during the procedure.

A much better, safer and permanent approach to getting rid of nasal polyps forever is by following a protocol called Nasal Polyps Treatment Miracle™. This approach amalgamates modern nutritional and medical principles with oriental medicine, and guides you step-by-step on exactly what you have to do to get rid of nasal polyps permanently and safely. This highly acclaimed system is authored by Manuel Richards, a certified nutritionist, biomedical researcher and natural health consultant who is an expert both in conventional and alternative medicine. 

Nasal Polyps: An Overview

Nasal polyps are abnormal growths that occur inside the nasal passages and the sinuses (canals found behind the cheekbones). They can range from unnoticeable growths right up to large lumps, and sometimes they can even hang outside the nose. They vary in color from pink but can also be yellow or grey. They are soft and often described as jelly-like.

Symptoms of nasal polyps:

Nasal polyps tend to be unnoticeable at first, being dismissed as the irritation associated with a common cold. Some early symptoms include itchiness in your throat and your nose becoming stuffy or occasionally clogged up. These symptoms can worsen, and are often followed by your nose running a lot, unexplained bleeding and your nostrils becoming clogged completely.

 In some cases, if these growths are deep enough inside your nose they can block the airways at the back of your nasal cavity completely. When nasal polyps get big enough, they are easily visible from the outside.

Nasal polyps can also cause you to have difficulty breathing which can result in a loss of sleep  as well as snoring, although this is a less common symptom. You will also find that you are more tired and have difficulty concentrating due to your body's oxygen levels decreasing. You will often compensate by breathing through your mouth, which will cause you to be more susceptible to colds and upper airway infections due to the fact that you cannot filter the air you breathe through your nose.

So, in short, symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
• Sinusitis
• Secondary infection which can lead to headaches
• Snoring may occur while sleeping
• Facial changes are not common, but are can occur
• Nose bleeds
• Coryza

Cause of Nasal Polyps:

The exact cause for nasal polyps is unknown; however, they are commonly thought to be caused by:

• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Exposure to some forms of chromium
• There are a few illnesses that can be associated with nasal polyp formation:
• Asthma
• Chronic rhinosinusitis
• Aspirin intolerance
• Kartagener's syndrome
• Young's syndrome
• Churg-Strauss syndrome
• Nasal Mastocytosis
• Cystic fibrosis

Do I Have Nasal Polyps?

Do you suffer from recurrent colds and flu? If the answer is yes, then you may have nasal polyps.

Nasal Polyps, also known as Sinus Polyps, are non-cancerous growths in the nose or in the sinuses (the canal behind your cheekbone). They cause symptoms similar to those of a cold  or flu; however, the symptoms caused by nasal polyps will never get better. You may,therefore have a persistently blocked or stuffy nose, and you may experience mucus running down the back of your throat. In addition, large polyps interfere with breathing and this can cause chronic headaches due to lack of oxygen. You may also find yourself yawning a lot, and experience daytime fatigue, even after a proper night's sleep. You will notice that you don't smell or taste as well as you used to.

Polyps in the nasal passage can be visible to others and can actually be very embarrassing, especially if you get asked what's wrong with your nose! They have a teardrop shape, and may be pink, yellowish or grey in colour. They are soft to touch and have a jelly-like texture. Polyps can occur singly, or more often in clusters, a condition called polyposis. Often, if you have polyps on one side, you will also get them on the other side. 

Nasal polyps should not be left untreated. They increase your risk of nasal infections, which can be fairly serious. In addition, they tend to grow in size, and can cause pain, discomfort and swelling. Very large polyps can alter the shape of your face and be very embarrassing.

The exact cause of nasal polyps is not always known; however, what is known is that ultimately they occur as a result of an irritation and subsequent inflammation of the nasal linings. This may be due to a chronic allergy, such as asthma or hay fever. They may also be due to frequent nasal and sinus infections, an adverse reaction to aspirin, or simply just living in heavily polluted areas. Injuries to the nose, mainly those which alter the shape of the nose, also increase the risk of getting nasal polyps. All these factors will cause the cells in the nasal linings to get inflamed and cause fluids to build up in them. Eventually, gravity pulls these fluid-laden cells down, resulting in the characteristic tear-drop growth of nasal polyps.

If you suspect you have nasal polyps, you should get them checked by a doctor. A doctor will take a history and carry out a physical examination, sometimes with the use of a nasal speculum. In some cases, a CT scan or X-ray will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. You will then be adviced either to start steroid therapy or to undertake surgery. However, both of these approaches are only a short-term solution and are associated with a number of side effects and complications.

A permanent nasal polyps solution should be holistic and tackle the underlying cause of nasal polyps, and not only the symptoms. For more information on such as system, visit Manuel Richards' Nasal Polyps Treatment Miracle™ program. Manuel Richards is a certified nutritionist, a biomedical researcher and a holistic health consultant. Manuel Richards' articles and work have been featured worldwide, both online and in print.