Nasal polyps

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Prevention

Introduction

It's hard to breathe, your nose drips constantly, and your sense of smell just isn't what it used to be. If this sounds like you, you probably blame allergies or a chronic sinus infection. But in some cases, your signs and symptoms may be due to nasal polyps — soft, noncancerous (benign) growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses.

Small nasal polyps usually cause few problems, but larger ones can affect your breathing and diminish your sense of smell. Sometimes they may cause dull headaches or snoring, and in rare cases, massive nasal polyps can alter the shape of your face.

Nasal polyps result from chronic inflammation in the lining of your nose or sinuses, but just what triggers the inflammation isn't always clear. Although nasal polyps can affect anyone, they're more common in people older than 40 and in adults and children with conditions such as asthma, chronic sinus infections, hay fever and cystic fibrosis.

Medications are the most common treatment for small nasal polyps. Surgery may be needed to remove larger growths, but polyps frequently return.

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Signs and symptoms