Nasal Polyps Specialist
Advanced Sinus and Allergy Center
Nadia Caballero, M.D.
Sinus Specialist located in Park Ridge, IL
If you have nasal obstruction, decreased or no sense of smell, nasal drainage, post-nasal drip, frequent sinus infections, it’s a good idea to get checked for nasal polyps. Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) growths in your nose. They are common and not dangerous, but they can impair your quality of life. At Advanced Sinus and Allergy Center in Park Ridge, Illinois, Dr. Nadia Caballero provides advanced surgical and non-surgical therapies to treat nasal polyps. To find out how the center can help you Breathe Better and Enjoy Life Again, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.
Nasal Polyps Q& A
What are nasal polyps?
Soft, noncancerous growths known as nasal polyps grow on the lining inside your nose or sinuses. Nasal polyps can be round or teardrop-shaped. They are usually grayish and you can think of them was “watery balloons.” Small polyps can be symptomless. You might not realize you have them. Larger nasal polyps or groups of polyps cause difficulty breathing, impair your sense of smell and cause chronic nasal and post-nasal drainage.
Nasal polyps are more common in adults. It is estimated that 4% of adults have nasal polyps (Hedman et al. 1999). The polyps often develop gradually after several weeks or months of untreated inflammation. Although the etiology (cause) of nasal polyps remains unknown, it is known that all patients with nasal polyps have chronic sinusitis. In fact, there is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) called CRS with nasal polyposis. There are several medical conditions associated with CRS with nasal polyposis. These include allergic rhinitis, asthma, Aspirin sensitivity, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.
What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?
Common symptoms resulting from nasal polyps include:
- A runny nose or constant stuffiness
- Postnasal drip
- Diminished sense of smell
- Loss of a sense of taste
- Facial pain or pressure
- Snoring
- Frequent sinus infections
How are nasal polyps diagnosed?
Dr. Caballero diagnoses nasal polyps by reviewing your symptoms, performing a complete ENT exam, and examining your nose with a small camera called an endoscope. Imaging tests like a CT scan may be ordered to assess the extent of the disease.
How are nasal polyps treated?
At Advanced Sinus and Allergy Center, Dr. Caballero recommends a treatment plan based on your history, the severity of your disease and your associated conditions. Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex condition and successful treatment requires a combined approach using medical and surgical therapy to stay under control.
Although Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is a key part of the treatment, it does not cure the disease. Undergoing surgery alone without concomitant medical therapy and close follow-up will likely result in recurrence of the polyps. Addressing underlying allergies and other factors that contribute to sinus and nasal inflammation is of paramount importance to prevent polyp regrowth.
A variety of treatments are used after surgery to maintain control of the disease. Sinus irrigations or nebulizations with steroids like Budesonide or Mometasone can be beneficial. Some patients may benefit from placement of biodegradable steroid-releasing implants like Propel® and SINUVA™ implant. These are innovative nonsurgical nasal polyp treatments that can be performed in the office after anesthetizing the nose with a spray. Once inserted, the devices release medicine to shrink polyps for weeks to months. This results in improvement in congestion, drainage, and sense of smell.
If you think you have nasal polyps and are ready to Breathe Better and Enjoy Life Again, call or book a consultation online today with Advanced Sinus and Allergy Center.