Different Treatments for Nasal Polyp Removal
Different Treatments for Nasal Polyp Removal
If you find nasal sprays don’t help there are other different treatments for nasal polyp removal.
Now we know that nasal polyps are gelatinous sacs that hang down in the nasal passages and/or sinuses. They are mostly noncancerous (benign) but there is the the smallest chance that if these growths are left untreated they can become malignant (cancer).
There are available different types of treatments for nasal polyp removal.
There are many reasons for nasal polyps to form: ongoing (chronic) allergic nasal and sinus infections including cystic fibrosis, environmental factors, being exposed to damp surrounds, dust and smoke etc.
Reducing nasal polyps forever is the objective; however, management of allergies does not always eliminate or reduce polyps for allergy suffering people.
Treatment is of two methods: medicine or surgery, with surgery being the last choice.
Nasal Polyp Removal Methods
When nasal sprays have little to no effect on nasal polyps, doctors often recommend a course of antibiotics and oral steroid tablets.
Failing that, surgery for nasal polyp removal is a final decision.
Medicinal Treatment for Nasal Polyp Removal
If you have used some of the nasal sprays like Rhinocort or Nasonex or other similar products with little effect, your doctor or ENT may prescribe a course of Oral Steroids like Prednisolone along with an antibiotic.
The idea is the Prednisolone will shrink the polyps and the antibiotics will help to fight the infection. For this reason most sufferers will get a fairly immediate benefit to their condition.
The downside to using oral medicine for nasal polyp removal is they can return when the course has finished and also steroid use has some serious side-effects and can not be taken long term.
Surgical Treatment for Nasal Polyp Removal
Surgical techniques and procedures for removing polyps include cauterizing (burning) very small polyp(s) off the nasal and/or sinus tissue and surgery under General Anaesthetic.
For cauterizing nasal polyps a local anaesthetic is used and there is little pain during and after this surgical process.
Some medical professionals consider not disturbing the polyps for a time to see if they develop further or simply disappear. It is a good idea to visit your healthcare provider for determining your polyp condition.
Surgery
When polyps are large and the sinuses are blocked, endoscopic sinus surgery is suggested for polyp removal. General anesthesia is used for inserting an endoscope, a camera at the end of a tube to determine polyp location and the polyps are projected on a computer monitor for the doctor to see.
Instruments are subsequently inserted for polyp removal or other tissue obstructing the nasal passages or sinuses. The connective cavities from the nasal openings to the sinuses might be enlarged to help with breathing.
After surgery, a special cotton packing with a dressing of gauze is used for controlling bleeding. If substantial bleeding continues, immediately contact your doctor.
Recovery is one to three weeks and rest is recommended for the first few days. Nasal congestion and nosebleeds might occur for the first two to three days. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for infection risk including pain medication.
Recovery Precautions
- No driving or operating machinery for 24-48 hours
- Do not blow nose
- Do not smoke
- Do not drink alcohol
- Change packing as needed
- Use saline solutions for rinsing mucous membrane nasal passages
- Irrigation of the nasal passages encourages healing when the sinuses are kept moist, and minimizes infection risk. A Neti Pot with premixed saline packets is excellent for irrigation providing natural relief for healing sinus tissue.
These are some of the different treatments for nasal polyp removal. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis of your symptoms.
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