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Resolve the Problem of Your Nasal Obstruction

What are Nasal/Sinus Polyps?

Nasal or sinus polyps are soft, benign growths found inside the lining of the sinuses or the nasal cavity. They can grow singly but often grow in clusters and resemble tiny grapes. They are usually found on both sides of the person’s nose.

How Do You Get Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps can be caused when the lining of the nose and sinuses are chronically inflamed. Inflammation is the body’s response to an infection or an injury, but medical professionals don’t know exactly why inflammation in the nose leads to the growth of polyps.

On this page: What Are The Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?, How Are Sinus Polyps Removed?, Nasal Polyp Surgery Near You, What Are the Complications of Nasal Polyp Removal?, Contact Us About Nasal Polyp Surgery in Boise

What Are The Symptoms of Nasal Polyps?

Sometimes a person may have nasal polyps and not even realize it as there may be no symptoms. If there are symptoms, however, they include:

  • A feeling that the nose is stuffed up.
  • Reduced sense of smell.
  • Headache or pain in the face.
  • Nasal discharge.
  • Itching eyes.
  • Sneezing.
  • A sense of fullness in the person’s face.
  • If the polyp is large, it may even distort the person’s nose.

How Are Sinus Polyps Diagnosed?

A person can check to see if they have nasal polyps, then go to their doctor to make sure that they are benign polyps and not something else. The doctor will examine the inside of the person’s nose and may order a CT scan or an endoscopy. These technologies allow the doctor to see inside the nose. Some doctors test their patients for allergies.

How Are Sinus Polyps Removed?

If the polyps are troublesome you may need to speak with your ENT specialist about nasal polyp removal options. The ENT doctor may prescribe medicines to help shrink them and reduce the symptoms. Sometimes, nasal polyp surgery is needed to remove the polyps. The type of surgery depends on where the polyps are, their size, and how many there are. If you feel you have nasal polyps and they are restricting the airflow in your nose it is always best to book an appointment to speak with an ENT specialist near you. They will be able to determine the best treatment course to give you relief.

Removal of nasal polyps is called a nasal polypectomy. The surgeon who performs this operation is called an otolaryngologist.

Nasal Polyp Surgery Near You

Before the nasal polyp surgery, the patient is given general or local anesthesia. The surgeon then opens the nose with a speculum, finds the polyps, clamps them, and removes them with a wire snare or loop. Any bleeding is controlled by electrocautery. The surgeon then packs the nose to staunch the bleeding. The packing can either be absorbed into the body or removed after about one or two days. As nasal polypectomy is an outpatient procedure, it is typically done in-office and the patient usually makes a full recovery after about two weeks. If you are looking for nasal polyp removal in Boise, ID then contact our office at Boise ENT Sinus & Snoring Specialists. We would be happy to schedule a consultation with you to see what course of treatment would be best for your situation.

What Are the Complications of Nasal Polyp Removal?

As with any surgery, there are some minor risks involved with nasal polyp removal procedures. Complications usually occur after surgery, and they include excessive bleeding or the chance that the polyps will grow back. Some nasal polyps grow large enough to interfere with the patient’s breathing and prevent mucus from draining from the nose.

Can Nasal Polyps be Prevented?

Nasal polyps can’t be prevented, but the patient can use a saltwater spray or lavage to wash allergens and other irritants from their nasal passages. This helps to prevent inflammation, which is a cause of nasal polyps. The patient should also avoid places where their nose or sinuses can become irritated, such as smoke-filled or dust-filled rooms. They should use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and wash their bed linens in hot water to destroy dust mites. Some people develop nasal polyps due to a sensitivity to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. For some reason, these drugs cause the nasal passages to swell, which leads to inflammation.

Contact Us About Nasal Polyp Surgery in Boise

If you are interested in learning more about nasal polypectomy procedures or about our in-office nasal polyp removal treatments please contact us at Boise ENT Sinus & Snoring Specialists. As an experienced ENT specialist near you, we can help determine the best course of action whether it be a treatment or nasal polyp surgery. Here at Boise ENT Sinus & Snoring Specialists, we have years of experience helping patients get relief from their sinus troubles with our effective treatment methods. If you are looking for a sinus specialist in or near Boise, ID, contact our office today to set up an initial consultation.  (208) 314-4044

We also treat sinusitis, rhinitis, deviated septums, nasal injuries, and other nose conditions.