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What Are Polyps In the Nose ?
When you search the internet wondering What are polyps in the nose ?, you are really asking why soft, painless growths sometimes block your breathing and steal your sense of smell. At Ascent ENT Hospital in Kerala, widely regarded as the best ent hospital in kerala, patients learn that nasal polyps are benign swellings of the lining inside the nose and sinuses that can enlarge over time. Thanks to a dedicated team led by renowned surgeons, Ascent hospital uses state-of-the-art endoscopic cameras to detect polyps early and craft personalised care plans.
Although small polyps rarely cause trouble, clusters may obstruct airflow and trigger chronic sinusitis. That is why booking an appointment with an ENT Specialist should never be delayed. One consultation can answer the pressing question of what causes polyps in the nose while ruling out other disorders. If you prefer a senior consultant, you can meet Dr. Sarafudeen, Kerala’s veteran endoscopic surgeon.Known for excellence beyond sinus care, Ascent ENT Hospital is also home to the best stapedectomy surgeon in Kerala, offering comprehensive ENT solutions under one roof.
People suffering from persistent stuffiness often visit our dedicated ENT clinic where expert nurses explain whether nose polyps bleed and how inflammation differs from infection. The Ascent hospital runs 24-hour endoscopic screening, making it easier for working professionals to get relief. While nasal polyps primarily affect breathing, associated ENT concerns are expertly managed by the best ossiculoplasty surgeon in Kerala at Ascent, delivering holistic ear, nose, and throat care
Patients frequently ask our team of ENT Surgeons whether lingering obstruction means surgery. Before discussing nose polyps surgery, let us look at their root biology, risk factors, and modern treatment pathways so you can decide whether you need the Best ENT surgeon in kerala or simple medical therapy.
Understanding What are polyps in the nose ?
Nasal polyps are grape-like bulbs of mucosal tissue that sprout where the sinus lining remains chronically inflamed. Histology shows abundant oedema and inflammatory cells, yet no malignant change in most cases. Global studies estimate that 1-4 % of adults develop polyps, and prevalence rises to 12 % in people with asthma or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. Because the tissue is insensitive, early growth often escapes notice until congestion and loss of smell appear.
What causes polyps in the nose?
Research points to a multi-factorial origin:
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Genetic predisposition linked to altered interleukin-5 signalling.
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Environmental irritants such as dust, smoke, and occupational chemicals.
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Persisting infections, especially fungal polyps in the nose that provoke long-term immune activation.
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Co-existing conditions like Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis that keep the mucosa swollen.
Repeated inflammation leads to excess extracellular fluid, and gravity turns the swelling into a hanging polyp. Medication must address every driver; otherwise new polyps emerge months after removal.
Signs and symptoms you should never ignore
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Continuous nasal blockage on both sides
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Reduced or absent sense of smell
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Post-nasal drip and a salty taste
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Dull pressure over the cheeks or forehead
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Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing
Sometimes patients fear that polyps bleed. Do nasal polyps cause nose bleeds? Minor spotting during a cold is common, but frank haemorrhage demands review because trauma, infection or neoplasm may coexist.
When you worry: can nose polyps be cancerous?
True malignancy inside a benign-looking polyp is rare (< 1 %). Nonetheless, any polyp that is hard, bleeds easily, or grows rapidly warrants biopsy. Modern high-definition endoscopes at Ascent allow surgeons to inspect microvascular patterns and decide quickly whether to sample tissue.With a strong focus on surgical precision and patient outcomes, Ascent ENT Hospital is widely recognized for access to the best stapedectomy surgeon in India, alongside advanced nasal polyp treatments
Diagnosis: from clinic torch to 3-D CT scan
At your visit, a consultant will:
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Take a detailed history to learn whether nose polyps bleed during infections.
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Examine nostrils with a rigid or flexible scope.
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Request a CT scan to map ethmoid, maxillary and sphenoid sinuses.
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Order allergy tests or fungal cultures if fungal polyps in nose are suspected.
Imaging guides both medical therapy and nose polyps surgery because it reveals hidden extensions that simple endoscopy cannot show.
Treatment pathways
1. Medical management
The first aim is to shrink polyps and calm inflammation:
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Intranasal corticosteroid sprays (mometasone, budesonide)
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Short oral steroid taper for severe obstruction
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Leukotriene antagonists in aspirin-sensitive patients
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Saline irrigation and antihistamines for concomitant allergy
2. Natural support
Patients often ask how to reduce polyps in nose naturally. Evidence-based tips include warm saline rinses twice daily, steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil, and a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids that down-regulate prostaglandin pathways. Curcumin (turmeric) has mild anti-inflammatory properties, yet it cannot substitute prescription steroids.
If you read online guides that promise how to remove nose polyps naturally, remember that no herbal remedy can physically detach a polyp stalk. The goal is symptom relief and slowed regrowth, not instant elimination.
3. Endoscopic nose polyps surgery
When obstruction persists after 8–12 weeks of maximal medication, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) becomes the gold standard. Surgeons use telescopes just 4 mm wide to excise polyps, widen sinus openings, and improve topical drug delivery. Recovery is fast-most Ascent patients return home on the next day thanks to advanced anaesthesia and meticulous haemostasis.
4. Steroid implants and biologics
If you wonder can nose polyps be removed without surgery, new resorbable steroid stents may help. They release mometasone over 90 days and cut recurrence by 40 %. For severe eosinophilic disease, biologics like dupilumab reduce polyp size significantly, allowing many patients to avoid repeat procedures.
Special cases: fungal polyps in nose
Tropical climates favour fungal spores. When fungi colonise pre-existing polyps, patients develop thick, peanut-butter-like debris that blocks sinuses. CT often shows heterogenous shadows with calcification. Treatment pairs surgical clearance with topical amphotericin irrigation to keep recurrence below 10 %.
Do’s and don’ts after therapy
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Continue steroid spray daily, even if breathing feels perfect.
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Rinse with saline to prevent crusts.
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Avoid irritants: cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, industrial dust.
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Visit your surgeon if nasal polyps cause nose bleeds to persist.
Living polyp-free: long-term outlook
With consistent steroid maintenance, annual endoscopic review, and attention to triggers, 70 % of patients remain symptom-free five years after surgery. Those with underlying asthma or AERD may need biologic therapy, yet quality of life still improves dramatically. Always discuss changing symptoms especially if you notice that polyps bleed more than before.From nasal polyps to complex hearing disorders, Ascent ENT Hospital’s multidisciplinary team includes the best cochlear implant surgeon in India, trusted by patients nationwide
Key takeaways
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What are polyps in the nose ? Benign swellings arising from chronic mucosal inflammation.
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Common triggers include allergy, infection, and aspirin sensitivity.
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Medical treatment can shrink lesions, but persistent obstruction calls for precise endoscopic removal.
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Advanced care at Ascent ENT Hospital answers every concern—from can nose polyps be removed without surgery to the rarity of can nose polyps be cancerous.
Ready to breathe freely again? Book your evaluation with Kerala’s leading ENT team today and put an end to the questions surrounding what causes polyps in the nose and their best treatment.
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