What are nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are growths in the linings of your nose and sinuses that can swell, affecting your breathing and causing symptoms like a stuffy nose. They tend to form when you have chronic inflammation from sinus infections or other conditions. Nasal polyps aren’t cancerous. Medicines can shrink them, but sometimes surgery is needed to remove them.
As one of the largest ear, nose, and throat (ENT) providers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Penn Medicine treats a high volume of nasal and sinus disorders, including nasal polyps. Our experts use advanced diagnostic tests and treatments to help you manage this condition and breathe more easily. You can trust our specialists to help you achieve long-term symptom relief.
Nasal polyp symptoms
Small nasal polyps may not cause any symptoms. But if they become large and block nasal passages, you may experience:
- Sneezing, runny nose, and postnasal drip
- Nasal congestion and trouble breathing through your nose
- Loss of smell or taste
- Headaches and sinus pressure
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- Increased asthma attacks
- Sinusitis
What causes nasal polyps?
Doctors don’t know the exact cause of nasal polyps, but long-term inflammation in the nose and sinuses increases the risk of having them. Inflammation can be caused by chronic sinusitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or allergies, like hay fever. A condition called aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) causes nasal polyps that get worse when you take aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
How doctors diagnose nasal polyps
If you have signs and symptoms of nasal polyps, your doctor can use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope to examine your nose and sinuses. Imaging tests can also look for polyps. You may need blood tests to check for allergies and other conditions that can cause polyps in your nose or sinuses.
Shrinking or removing nasal polyps
Nasal polyp treatments include nasal sprays and oral medicines that can shrink the growths. Large polyps may need to be removed with surgery. Injectable medications known as biologics can treat nasal polyps that don’t respond to other medications and that return after surgery. If you have AERD, aspirin desensitization after sinus surgery can prevent nasal polyps from returning.
Advanced nasal and sinus care, focused on you
The extensive experience of our ENT providers means you’ll receive expert care for nasal polyps. For those with AERD, our AERD Center offers specialized, research-backed techniques not available at other centers in our region. No matter what the cause of your nasal polyps, we can help you breathe more comfortably and live healthier.