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- What are nasal polyps?
- Symptoms of nasal polyps
- Causes of nasal polyps
- Prevention of nasal polyps
- Risk factors for nasal polyps
- Complications of nasal polyps
- When to see a doctor about nasal polyps
- Diagnosis of nasal polyps
- Conventional treatment of nasal polyps
- Alternative/complementary treatment of nasal polyps
- Living with nasal polyps
- Caring for someone with nasal polyps
There are a number of known risk factors that may cause the development of nasal polyps:
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) often causes inflammation of the nasal passages, especially if the hay fever is unrelenting and difficult to manage and this is because allergic rhinitis causes severe irritation to the nasal passage, as well as runny or blocked nose symptoms from the build-up of mucous in the nasal passage. This inflammation in the nasal passages due to the allergic rhinitis (hay fever) can then precipitate the formation of nasal polyps.
Aspirin and NSAID sensitivity
People with a sensitivity (or intolerance) to the medication aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are also more likely to develop nasal polyps. Many people who have asthma also have an aspirin sensitivity too and are recommended not to use it as it can inflame symptoms and cause an asthma attack
Asthma
People with asthma are also more likely to develop nasal polyps, especially if their asthma has an allergic component. Since recent studies have shown that a high percentage (over 50%) of all people with asthma are allergic to some substance, it means that many people with asthma will also develop inflammation in their sinus passages, which can increase their risk of developing nasal polyps.
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Cystic fibrosis
Children with cystic fibrosis are known to have a high risk factor for also developing nasal polyps. This is most likely due to the inability of the child with cystic fibrosis to eliminate the excessive mucous buildup in their body, which can manifest also in the sinus passages as nasal polyps.
Infection of the upper respiratory system
Whenever there is a recurrent infection of the upper respiratory system, especially if symptoms including a runny or blocked nose, there is a risk for the development of nasal polyps. The reason for this, is because the constant viral infection does not allow the nasal passage to heal from the inflammation and nasal polyps can ensue.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis, especially if it is chronic and difficult to manage, is a known risk factor for the development of nasal polyps. Chronic sinusitis causes inflammation in the nasal passage that continues to occur without much respite. The constant inflammation in the sinuses can then precipitate the formation of nasal polyps.
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