If you have chronic congestion and loss of smell, it could be chronic rhinitis with nasal polyposis. Here are explanations of what nasal polyposis is, its symptoms, and its treatment.
What Is Nasal Polyposis?
Nasal polyposis is simply the presence of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps can occur when one has chronic rhinitis, although they can also be present for other reasons. These are small, smoothe growths that form inside the nasal cavity. They usually occur on both sides of the cavity simultaneously. Nasal polyps are benign, which means that they are not harmful, although they do have some bothersome symptoms.
Symptoms of Nasal Polyposis
Some of the symptoms you will have when you develop nasal polyposis are likely related to the cause of the nasal polyps, usually chronic rhinitis. However, there are some symptoms that are more specific to nasal polyps. These include:
- Severe nasal congestion
- Facial pain or pressure
- Decreased or absent sense of smell
If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact an allergist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. At our office, we can perform a quick and painless procedure, called a rhinoscopy, to check if polyps are present in your nose.
Treatment for Nasal Polyposis
There are many different treatment options for nasal polyposis. The first and primary course of treatment is to decrease symptoms of chronic rhinitis using nasal sprays, some containing steroids. Oral steroids may also be prescribed to shrink the polyps more quickly.
If these treatments do not work to reduce the size of the nasal polyps, there are additional treatments that can be tried. One is an oral medication, called a leukotriene inhibitor, such as montelukast. Another option is a biologic injectable medication called, Dupilumab, which has recently been approved for treatment of nasal polyps.
If you have symptoms of nasal polyposis, contact us today for more information or to schedule your appointment.
