Nasal Polyps

Nasal Polyps services offered in Chelmsford, Concord and Woburn, MA and Nashua and Derry, NH

Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths in the lining of the nose and sinuses. Though not always a problem, large nasal polyps may block the flow of air, affecting your breathing. At Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, the highly skilled team includes ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons who diagnose and treat nasal polyps. To find out more about nasal polyps, call the office in Chelmsford, Woburn, or Concord, Massachusetts, or the office in Nashua or Derry, New Hampshire. You can also request an appointment online at any time.

What are nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are painless, noncancerous growths that develop in the lining of the nasal and sinus cavity. They usually grow on both sides of the nose or sinuses, usually at the point where the nasal cavity joins the sinuses.

They develop when you have prolonged swelling or irritation in the nose or sinuses. People with allergies, asthma, and recurring upper respiratory infections are more likely to develop nasal polyps.

Though they vary in size, nasal polyps can grow large or swell, blocking the flow of air through the nose and sinuses.

What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyp symptoms vary and depend on the size of the growths. You can have nasal polyps and not have signs or symptoms.

Some of the symptoms you might have include:

Loss of sense of smell or taste
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Headaches
Post nasal drip
Snoring
Pain in the sinuses

If you have nasal polyps, you may always feel like you have a head cold.

When nasal polyps get too big, they may cause recurring sinus infections, difficulty breathing, or trouble sleeping. Nasal polyps may also trigger asthma attacks or cause sleep apnea.

What happens during an exam for nasal polyps?

The team at Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates specializes in diagnosing and treating nasal polyps. Your ENT specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines your nose with an endoscope, which is a thin flexible tube with a light and camera.

The team may also run imaging tests such as a CT scan to get detailed pictures of your sinuses.

What are some of my treatment options for nasal polyps?

Treatment options for nasal polyps depend on the severity of your symptoms.

In most cases, the team at Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates prescribes medications such as corticosteroids to reduce swelling, allergy medication to prevent more growths, or antibiotics to clear up a bacterial infection.

If you have large nasal polyps or medications fail to ease your symptoms, the ENT surgeons at Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery to remove the growths.

However, it’s possible that your nasal polyps may grow back after surgery.

To discuss treatment options for nasal polyps, call Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates or schedule an appointment online today.