5 Signs That Indicate Nasal Polyps

5 Signs That Indicate Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are tiny growths found inside your nose or sinuses. Often shaped like dewdrops, they can increase in size and protrude from the nose. An irritable allergy can induce the mucosa in the nose to form these polyps. They can cause swelling and stuffiness in your nasal passage. The main symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps include irritation and obstruction in airflow. Such indicators should be identified before they turn chronic. Here are some other signs you should know.

Nasal Congestion
Nasal polyps can increase in size and swell up the tissues that line your nose. This ends up blocking your nose due to the inflammation of blood vessels in the septum. In this way, nasal polyps can cause severe congestion. It can make you feel stuffy, making it difficult for you to breathe. You might find yourself breathing through your mouth because of the blocked nose. This makes nasal congestion one of the main symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps.

Postnasal Drip
If you are swallowing mucus often, it can be a symptom of nasal polyps. Mucus is constantly formed by the glands in your nose. This keeps away foreign substances and wets the nasal membrane. But, when way too much mucus is formed, it gathers up in your throat. It can also feel like it’s directly slipping into the throat from your nose. This is a postnasal drip. Nasal polyps induce extra mucus, which leads to these postnasal drips.

Reduced Sense of Smell
If your ability to detect any smell is hampered, it can be a symptom of nasal polyps. The polyps cause blockage and inflammation. This reduces airflow into your nasal passage. So when you try to smell, the molecules in the air don’t reach your receptors. This affects your ability to detect odors. Also, the sense of smell and taste join each other at the back of the throat. This means that nasal polyps can also affect your sense of taste.

Snoring
Snoring might be common but it is one of the primary symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps. When the nose is clogged up due to the polyps, it leaves little to no room for air to flow. This leads to air entering through your mouth and flowing past tissues inside your throat. They vibrate to produce a snore, which is an indication of an air blockage in the nose. When nasal polyps grow in size, they can cause hoarse vibrations in the throat while you sleep.

Pressure Due to Blocked Nose
A blocked nose can cause nasal polyps as it creates pressure on the rest of your face. Your cheekbones might throb with pain and your teeth may start to ache. In some cases, headaches may also occur. This occurs due to inflamed tissues in the nasal passage. If you experience such facial pain, you must visit your doctor to check for nasal polyps.