A Patient's Guide to Nasal Polyps

The symptoms of nasal polyps can be persistent and significantly impact your quality of life. The larger the polyps, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be.

Common symptoms include:

• Nasal Congestion

  A persistent feeling of a blocked or stuffy nose.
• Runny Nose and Postnasal Drip

  Constant dripping from the nose or down the back of the throat.
• Reduced Sense of Smell and Taste

  This is a very common and frustrating symptom.
• Facial Pain or Headaches

  A feeling of pressure over the forehead and face.
• Snoring and Sleep Disruption

  Nasal blockage can lead to poor sleep quality.

Medical therapy is the first step and is crucial for long-term control.

• Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays

  These can help to shrink small polyps and reduce inflammation. They are most effective at preventing polyp regrowth after surgery.
• Steroid Sinus Rinses

  An even more effective option is adding a steroid solution or powder to your regular saline sinus rinse. This delivers the medication more deeply into the sinuses.
• Oral Corticosteroids
  
A short course of steroid tablets can be very effective at shrinking polyps quickly, but they are not suitable for long-term use due to potential side effects.
• Biologic injections

  For some patients with recurrence of polyps after surgery, in selected groups of patients, biologics may be an option for you

When medical therapy is not enough to control symptoms, endoscopic sinus surgery is performed to remove the polyps. Dr Nguyen uses endoscopic techniques to remove the polyps under direct vision while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.