Nasal polyps can significantly affect quality of life for many individuals. They occur as part of a spectrum of a condition called chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). They frequently run in families and can also be associated with conditions such as asthma.

Left untreated, symptoms include nasal blockage, nasal discharge and catarrh, reduced or absent sense of smell, sneezing and facial pressure. Nasal polyps are not typically painful and do not tend to bleed. Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps can be managed through a combination of nasal steroid drops, nasal irrigation and sometimes antibiotics. 

ENT surgeons with a specialist interest in rhinology and sinus surgery are ideally placed to manage nasal polyps but in patients who have concurrent asthma, a chest physician and GP would also need to be involved.

For many patients who do not improve with medical management alone, endoscopic sinus surgery  may become necessary. This is to improve the sinus drainage pathways, to remove the polyps and to enable medications to get in to the sinuses more effectively. It is important to note that sinus surgery itself is usually an adjunct to medical management and the majority of patients will need saline nasal irrigation and nasal steroids in the long-term to help keep the polyps at bay.

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for a personalised evaluation and treatment plan.