What Are Nasal Polyps? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
0 3 minutes read
[ad_1]
Steroids, biologic drugs, and surgery are among the possible treatments for nasal polyps. In some cases, dietary supplements may help relieve the symptoms caused by polyps.
Medication Options
Treatment for nasal polyps generally starts with drug therapy.
Nasal Corticosteroids If the polyps are very small, they may be treated with nasal steroids, says Kim. Nasal steroids may be in the form of sprays, drops, or an additive to nasal saline irrigations. Options include:
Oral Steroids If the polyps are big or you have a large disease load, oral corticosteroids like prednisone (Deltasone) may be prescribed, “although we try to avoid using these because they can have serious and potentially harmful side effects,” says Kim.
Injectable Corticosteroids Injectable steroids may be used if the polyp load is severe.
Biologic Drugs Monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat nasal polyps and can work well for some patients, says Kim. Three biologics have come onto the market since 2019: mepolizumab (Nucala), dupilumab (Dupixent), and omalizumab (Xolair). Biologic drugs are still relatively new medications, and their long-term effects are still unclear.
“Although these drugs can be expensive, they are a good option to try; they can potentially treat the polyps so that surgery is unnecessary,” Kim says.
Antihistamines or Antibiotics If allergies or chronic or recurrent infections appear to be causing swelling in your nasal passages or sinuses, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or antibiotics to treat the underlying cause.
Aspirin Desensitization Some people with nasal polyps have aspirin sensitivity and may benefit from aspirin desensitization, in which very small doses of aspirin are administered and gradually increased as the person becomes able to tolerate them. This is usually done under the supervision of an allergy specialist.
Surgical Options
For people whose symptoms aren’t controlled by medication, surgery is an option. But surgery may not be a permanent solution: Rates of relapse and repeated intervention are high. The goal of surgery is not only polyp removal but also opening the sinuses to improve access for topical steroid therapies following surgery.
Endoscopic Surgery In endoscopic surgery, a small tube with a lighted magnifying lens or tiny camera is inserted into your nostrils so that the surgeon can access your sinus cavities and remove the polyps. It’s usually performed as an outpatient procedure.
In the most severe cases, both surgery and aggressive medical therapy, including biologics and delivery of steroids via nasal irrigation, may be necessary to treat the polyps, says Kim.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Some research has found that some supplements may help minimize inflammation, which in turn can help with the symptoms of polyps. For example, one study that involved a randomized controlled trial found that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helped delay the recurrence of nasal polyps following treatment with steroids.
Supplements may have side effects or interact with medications you are taking, so you should discuss any supplements you are considering with your healthcare provider.
Bromelain There is some evidence that bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapples, may help reduce inflammation and swelling and relieve symptoms of sinusitis. Bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding, so people who take blood thinners should not take bromelain without talking to their doctor first. Taking bromelain with ACE inhibitors may cause blood pressure to drop.
Quercetin Quercetin is a flavonoid that has been shown to inhibit the production and release of histamine in lab studies. Histamine causes allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes. But more studies are needed to confirm that it has the same effect in humans.
Sinupret This herbal combination is produced in Europe and imported into the United States. Sinupret contains Sambucus nigra (European elder), Rumex acetosa (common sorrel), Primula veris (cowslip), Verbena officinalis (European vervain), and Gentiana lutea (gentian). The herbs it contains may work by thinning mucus and helping the sinuses drain, which can help relieve some of the symptoms of sinusitis.
In a review of existing literature on various alternative and complementary therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, in which studies involving baby shampoo, honey, capsaicin, therapeutic ultrasonography, phonophoresis, phototherapy, and acupuncture were investigated, the authors concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to recommend any of the treatments for widespread use.
