(972) 596-4005
Make an appointmentAre you experiencing discomfort in your nose and sinuses, or are you having trouble breathing?
Our team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat is here to help with an exact diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. One common reason for visiting an ENT is for nasal polyp treatment. We provide a range of services that can be customized based on your individual needs.
What are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are painless, soft growths that occur in the sinuses or nasal passages. These noncancerous growths are quite common, with an estimated 4% of the population experiencing this medical condition. The polyps hang down, similar to grapes or teardrops within the nasal areas.
Growths occur because of chronic inflammation. Anyone can have nasal polyps, but this medical condition is most common in adults. Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of nasal polyps, such as allergies, recurring infection, asthma, cystic fibrosis, immune disorders, or drug sensitivities.
The nasal mucosa should be wet to protect the sinuses and nose by keeping humidity in the air you breathe. When the mucosa is irritated or infected, it can result in dryness and swelling. Eventually, chronic irritation leads to the formation of polyps.
Nasal Polyp Symptoms
In most cases, nasal polyps aren’t painful. In the early stages, you might not realize that you have polyps. As the chronic inflammation and swelling occur in the nasal passages, the polyps can be associated with cold-like symptoms that never seem to go away.
Eventually, nasal polyps can lead to bigger symptoms, such as:
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Chronic congestion
- Frequent sinus infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Breathing through the mouth
- Sleeping problems, such as sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Loss of smell
ENT Diagnosis and Treatment Options
A visit with an ENT starts with an initial look into your nasal passages, using a lighted instrument called a nasoscope. If polyps aren’t visible, then a nasal endoscopy might be recommended to determine the location of the polyps. Other diagnostic methods sometimes include an MRI or CT scan to see the size of the polyps.
Minimally-invasive treatments are used initially, such as oral or nasal steroid medications. The goal is to reduce the inflammation and decrease the size of the polyps without invasive treatments. Sometimes, the symptoms don’t go away and surgery is necessary. Various surgical treatments are available, depending on your unique symptoms and needs:
- Polypectomy: Nasal polyp surgery is called a polypectomy, which involves the removal of the extra tissue in the nose and sinuses.
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: If larger polyps are present, then an endoscopic sinus surgery might be recommended, using an endoscope to remove the growths and bone from within the sinuses.
- Balloon Sinuplasty: If the polyps keep coming back, a sinuplasty may be done in addition to polypectomy or endoscopic sinus surgery to keep the sinuses open, improve drainage, and minimize inflammation that can lead to the development of future polyps.
After the polyps have been removed, it is important to follow treatment recommendations from your ENT to prevent recurrence in the future. Preventive steps can be followed to maintain the health of the sinuses and nasal passages, which reduces the risk of polyp development.
ENT Services for Nasal Polyps
Our team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat provides a comfortable clinic where out-patient treatments can be performed. You can benefit from top-notch medical services without the need to visit a hospital. We use state-of-the-art equipment to provide quality services for people of all ages.
If you have nasal polyps or any other concerns about your ears, nose, and throat, then it is time to schedule an appointment with an ENT. Our experienced team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat offers locations in Frisco and Plano, TX: (972) 596-4005.