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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffNasal polyps are associated with inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks (chronic rhinosinusitis, also known as chronic sinusitis). However, it's possible — and even somewhat more likely — to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps themselves are soft and lack sensation, so if they're small you may not be aware you have them. Multiple growths or a large polyp may block your nasal passages and sinuses.
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:
- A runny nose
- Persistent stuffiness
- Postnasal drip
- Decreased or absent sense of smell
- Loss of sense of taste
- Facial pain or headache
- Pain in your upper teeth
- A sense of pressure over your forehead and face
- Snoring
- Itching around your eyes
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps are similar to those of many other conditions, including the common cold.
Seek immediate medical care or call 911 or your local emergency number if you experience:
- Serious trouble breathing
- Sudden worsening of your symptoms
- Double vision, reduced vision or limited ability to move your eyes
- Severe swelling around your eyes
- Increasingly severe headache accompanied by high fever or inability to tip your head forward
- Fried MP. Nasal polyps. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch091/ch091d.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Levine M. Nasal polyps. American rhinologic society. http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.nasalpolyps.phtml. Accessed Nov. 10, 2010.
- Hamilos DL. Clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2010.
- Scadding GK, et al. BSACI guidelines for the management of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 2007;38:260.
- Antunes MB, et al. The role of local steroid injection for nasal polyposis. Current Asthma and Allergy Reports. 2010;10:175.
- Dykewicz MS, et al. Rhinitis and sinusitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010;125(Suppl 2):S103.
- Wood AJ, et al. Pathogenesis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2010;86:359.
- Hamilos DL. Medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2010.
- Tosun F, et al. Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on sleep quality in patients with chronic nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2009;20:446.
- Citardi MJ. An introduction to nasal endoscopy. American Rhinologic Society. http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.introendoscopy.phtml. Accessed Nov. 10, 2010.
- Dutton JM. Endoscopic sinus surgery. American Rhinologic Society. http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.sinussurgery.phtml. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 23, 2010.
- Rabago D, et al. Nasal irrigation for chronic sinus symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma, and nasal polyposis: A hypothesis generating study. Wisconsin Medical Journal. 2008;107:69.
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