Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths that occur inside the nasal passage. These benign, tear-drop-shaped polyps hinder breathing and also affect your sense of smell. The boils are usually small and very soft and, hence, go undetected for years. Doctors may detect these lumps only when you experience trouble breathing or other signs. This article talks about the early symptoms, causes, and types of nasal polyps one can develop.

1. Symptoms
Since these are often small and benign growths, they go unnoticed. However, specific signs and symptoms could help identify nasal polyps, such as:

• Pain throughout the face
• Constant runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing incessantly
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Itchiness around the eye
• Pressure in the head or experiencing headaches
• Postnasal drip

While these are some early and manageable symptoms, inflammation in the nasal passage can lead to infections or allergies. These allergies can be things like sensitivity to dust or fumes or even certain chemicals and odors. Yellow dyes and aspirin can also be a source of allergy for some. If you ignore nasal polyps, they can also lead to chronic sinusitis, resulting in congestion or severe headaches. The lump can even change the shape of your nose.

2. Causes
There is not enough research to point out the exact cause of nasal polyps. However, according to some studies, it could be a result of immune system responses. It is understood that swelling of sorts occurs in the mucous membrane, a fluid-producing lining found in the nose and sinuses. This swelling can lead to nasal inflammation or irritation, causing nasal polyps. However, not everyone experiencing this inflammation develops nasal polyps, so the cause remains largely undiscovered.

Some pre-existing health conditions also put one at a higher risk of developing this illness. These include:

• Asthma
• Allergic fungal sinusitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Churg-Strauss syndrome

3. Types of nasal polyps
There are two types of nasal polyps: ethmoidal and antrochoanal. Ethmoidal polyps are the most common type and are known to grow from the ethmoidal sinuses, the area between the nose and the eyes. The other type is the antrochoanal polyps, which develop in the maxillary sinuses and are rare. The maxillary sinuses are right above the teeth, below the cheeks and nose.

4. Treatments
There are two primary ways to treat this condition: medication and surgery. After a full diagnosis, doctors prescribe medications that minimize the size of these polyps and reduce inflammation. These are called nasal or oral steroids. Nasal steroids are the first option. However, these are not a permanent solution for most, and the inflammation and infection tend to return once you stop using these steroids.

The other option is surgery, which is again recommended after your doctor’s careful and detailed diagnosis. It is called polypectomy and involves using a microdebrider or a suction device that can remove the polyps. In some cases, doctors might suggest performing endoscopic sinus surgery for larger polyps.