How to Get Rid of Nasal Polyps for Good

Nasal polyps are soft, grape-like growths that form inside your nose and sinuses. They’re benign, which is good news, but they can still cause some trouble. When they get large enough or cluster together, they block your nasal passages completely, affecting your breathing and sense of smell. You feel constantly congested and get regular sinus infections. 

What makes polyps particularly frustrating is that they come back. You could take medication to shrink them or have surgery to remove them, and six months or a year later, you’re back where you started. The issue is that treating polyps without addressing the underlying cause could lead to new polyps developing over time.

To actually get rid of them for good, you need to figure out what’s driving the growth. It could be allergies keeping your nasal passages constantly inflamed, an immune system issue, or a sensitivity to certain medications. Whatever it is, identifying and treating that root cause is the only way to break the cycle. 

Rather than just dealing with the polyps, Mani Zadeh, MD, an ENT specialist, works to understand what’s causing them in your specific case and treat that underlying condition. Here, he covers what causes nasal polyps, which treatments actually work, and most importantly, how to keep them from coming back.

What’s causing your polyps

Polyps grow in response to chronic inflammation. When the lining of your nose or sinuses stays inflamed for months on end, the tissue eventually swells into these growths. For many people, chronic sinusitis is a common cause. When your sinuses are constantly fighting off infection or irritation, polyps can develop. 

Allergies are another major trigger. If you’re allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander, your nasal passages are in a constant state of reaction. The ongoing allergic response causes persistent inflammation, leading to polyp formation.

There’s a strong connection between asthma and nasal polyps. People with asthma, particularly those who also react badly to aspirin and similar medications, develop nasal polyps at much higher rates. There’s even a specific condition called aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease that combines asthma, nasal polyps, and severe reactions to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Certain immune system disorders predispose people to polyps as well. Cystic fibrosis, for example, causes abnormally thick mucus that accumulates in the sinuses, leading to chronic inflammation and, eventually, polyps.

What treatments work?

Most treatment starts with nasal corticosteroid sprays. They’re anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling in your nasal passages. Used consistently over weeks or months, they can shrink smaller polyps and prevent new ones from forming. You need to aim the spray toward the side of your nose rather than straight back to reach the areas where polyps grow.

When polyps are larger or more severe, Dr. Zadeh may prescribe oral corticosteroids for a short course. These are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can significantly shrink polyps within weeks. They’re effective but can’t be used long-term because of side effects like weight gain, bone loss, and increased blood pressure.

When medications aren’t sufficient, surgery becomes necessary. The most common procedure is endoscopic sinus surgery. Using an endoscope, Dr. Zadeh removes the polyps and any dead tissue. 

He may also enlarge the sinus opening to improve your drainage and reduce inflammation. It’s typically an outpatient procedure with a recovery period of a week or two before returning to normal activities.

Keeping polyps from coming back

Preventing polyps from growing back requires managing the inflammation that causes them. This means continuing your nasal corticosteroid spray even after symptoms improve. Many people stop using it once they feel better, but that’s exactly when polyps start forming again. 

For people with asthma, keeping it well controlled helps prevent polyp recurrence. When your asthma is managed properly with the right medications, it reduces overall inflammation in your airways, including your nasal passages.

Nasal saline rinses help keep your nasal passages clean and clear. Rinsing once or twice daily washes away allergens, irritants, and mucus that can contribute to inflammation. Some people add a corticosteroid solution to their rinses for extra anti-inflammatory benefit.

Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr. Zadeh to catch early signs of recurrence. When polyps are detected while they’re still small, they’re much easier to manage with medication before they grow large enough to cause symptoms or require surgery.

Getting rid of nasal polyps for good requires identifying the root cause and treating it. This requires testing to identify the cause of inflammation, the right medications, surgery when necessary, and a plan to prevent recurrence. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Zadeh today if you’re tired of dealing with recurring polyps.