Signs And Symptoms Of Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps, like their name suggests, occur in the nose. They are soft growths and are benign. They hang from the lining of the nasal passages, which means they often look similar to teardrops! Many nasal polyps are small and often go unnoticed. However, they can lead to blockages in the nasal passages, which is a major trigger behind many of the symptoms they cause.

Thankfully, they are easily dealt with! Medical over-the-counter treatments for nasal polyps, including corticosteroid nasal sprays, are incredibly helpful. Natural treatments and homeopathic remedies for nasal polyps, such as neti pots and tea tree oil, also exist!

Sinus Infections

Nasal polyps increase the risk of sinus infections since they cause additional irritation in the nose. Thus, frequent sinus infections are key signs of polyps in the nose! People with polyps in the nose can deal with both acute and chronic sinusitis. Acute cases occur frequently but do offer some relief in between each instance. Chronic infections, on the other hand, last for extended periods. Some last for over 12 weeks! Sinus infections do share many similarities with the common cold, but a key distinction is sinus infections cause high fevers. They also involve yellow or green mucus flowing from the nose. There is also often stuffiness and postnasal drip involved with sinus infections.

Stuffy Nose

A stuffy nose makes it difficult to breathe and it may even feel as if it won’t be possible to breathe deeply again. Chronic stuffiness in the nose is a major symptom of nasal polyps. Polyps in the nose are nearly always accompanied by a stuffy nose! Both multiple smaller polyps and a large nasal polyp can block the nasal passages. This irritates the nasal passages as well and triggers swelling, both of which make it feel like a stuffy nose. Nasal polyps are often also the result of chronic sinusitis, which means in addition to a stuffy nose, there are other symptoms.

Frequent Nosebleeds

Frequent nosebleeds are another key sign of nasal polyps. This is especially the case when a nosebleed starts after a few weeks of inflammation in the nose! Nosebleeds due to polyps in the nose are often due to a polyp making a blood vessel in the nose to break. Blood vessels in the nose break quite easily, which is why with irritation and polyps, nosebleeds become incredibly common! Most nosebleeds flow through the nostrils, but some of them can run down the back of the throat. The latter of these can be quite dangerous and should be looked at quickly!

Postnasal Drip

Mucus always runs down the back of the throat to some degree. No one tends to notice it! Until there is an issue, of course. Specifically, until there is postnasal drip. Postnasal drip occurs when there is excess mucus and instead of it running out of the nose, it runs down the back of the throat. The excess is what makes this noticeable! It is often worse when nasal polyps are present, since blocked nasal passages prevent mucus from leaving in any other way. Postnasal drip is also a product of sinus infections, which can also indicate the presence of polyps in the nose.

Runny Nose

A runny nose is fairly similar to postnasal drip. Both involve excess mucus being produced! The biggest difference is the fact the excess mucus in a runny nose runs, yes, out of the nose! It is also important to note a runny nose due to nasal polyps is also normally connected to another issue, such as a sinus infection. When fighting an infection, mucus becomes thicker and much more noticeable. A runny nose that lasts for three weeks or longer is a significant sign of nasal polyps. A runny nose for one day is not. This is an important distinction!

Loss Of Certain Senses

Nasal polyps trigger the loss of two major senses involving the nose: taste and smell. The loss of both is common because these senses are very closely linked! Polyps block nasal passages, which makes it harder for smells to make it through the nose to the point where they are interpreted. The cells that interpret smell exist in the nose, mouth, and throat. When smells can’t reach some, this sense is diminished or even lost.

It may have surprised some to learn that a loss in the ability to taste can be a sign of nasal polyps. It’s true! If people cannot interpret a smell of food properly, their ability to taste that food is also compromised. Some sense of taste may still stick around, but it will certainly be diminished. It is similar to taking away a few pieces (smell) in a puzzle (taste). The overall puzzle still exists, but certain aspects are lost.

Headaches And Facial Pain

Headaches and facial pain are incredibly common signs of polyps in the nose. Headaches due to nasal polyps are typically the result of sinus infections. They are also often referred to as sinus headaches in these instances. This kind of headache feels like there’s increased pressure or throbbing pain behind the forehead and cheeks, or along the jaw and ears. Of course, if the sinuses are extremely inflamed, the pain can be sharp or stabbing! Facial pain due to nasal polyps is felt in the sinuses, which are located just above the upper jaw. Their location means people often think their teeth hurt! Facial pain due to polyps can also radiate, but like a headache, the pain is usually dull and throbbing.