Nasal Polyps
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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
Alternative/complementary treatment of nasal polyps
There are a number of alternative / complementary treatment options for reducing nasal polyps and prevent them from recurring, as well as treating the underlying condition which caused the polyps to develop and strengthen the immune system.
Herbs
There are a number of excellent herbs which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Echinacea - studies show the potent herb echinacea has excellent anti-viral properties which stimulate the immune system to function more effectively and help to reduce severity and duration of viral respiratory infections, including sinusitis
- Fenugreek - the seeds of the fenugreek spice are traditionally used to clear nasal congestion (especially from allergic rhinitis or sinusitis) and this helps to prevent infection and inflammation, which may reduce likelihood of nasal polyps developing in the nasal passages
- Garlic - many studies show that the potent herb garlic has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and it helps to clear up nasal congestion and inflammation, so it may prevent sinus infection. Garlic is also recommended for people with allergic rhinitis, as it helps to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages
- Horseradish - the herb horseradish has been traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection. Horseradish has similar properties to garlic, where it increase circulation in the nasal area, reduces inflammation and helps to clear up nasal congestion, which may help to reduce likelihood of nasal polyps
- Olive leaf - studies show the potent anti-viral herb olive leaf reduces inflammation and clears up congestion in the upper respiratory system, which may greatly reduce likelihood of nasal polyps
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Betacarotene - this is the precursor to vitamin A, so has the same properties
- Bioflavonoids - the antioxidant bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C, support and boost the function of the immune system. In addition to this, the bioflavonoids have excellent anti-histamine properties, which are beneficial in people with allergic rhinitis, to reduce symptoms and prevent nasal polyps from developing in the first place
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is required to keep the mucous membranes soft, moist and healthy, provide a boost to the immune system and help reduce severity of any infections. Nasal polyps may be prevented from developing in the first place as long as there is adequate Vitamin A in the diet (or with supplementation)
- Vitamin B complex - the B vitamins support the immune system to function properly and this means they may assist with prevention of nasal polyps
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C, together with the bioflavonoids, support and boost the function of the immune system. In addition to this, the vitamin C has excellent anti-histamine properties, which are beneficial in people with allergic rhinitis, to reduce symptoms and prevent nasal polyps from developing in the first place
- Vitamin D - the important vitamin D may be an effective nutrient to help reduce the growth of nasal polyps, by reducing the inflammation in the nasal passages, as suggested by a recent study
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E helps to reduce symptom of nasal congestion and inflammation by boosting the function of the immune system. Vitamin E is also recommended in people with any type of upper respiratory infection
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium relaxes body tissues (especially smooth muscle in the body) and may help to reduce inflammation, as well as any anxiety associated with the underlying chronic conditions (sinusitis, allergic rhinitis)
- Selenium - many studies show the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium may reduce the length and severity of symptoms, as it helps to boost the immune system to fight off infection (in sinusitis and other upper respiratory infection) as well as reducing the allergic response to allergen (in allergic rhinitis)
- Zinc - many studies show the antioxidant mineral zinc may reduce the length and severity of symptoms, as it helps to boost the immune system to fight off infection (in sinusitis and other upper respiratory infection) as well as reducing the allergic response to allergen (in allergic rhinitis)
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Alpha-lipoic acid - the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid provides a huge boost to the immune system to help reduce symptoms from the nasal inflammation
- Omega 3 essential fatty acids - many studies show that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body, increase circulation and so may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, especially in chronic allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis, which may prevent the nasal polyps from developing in the first place
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modification strategies which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Avoid mucous-causing foods - certain foods such as dairy, processed foods (high sugar and high fat foods) tend to cause more mucous to form which can make symptoms worse in people who have an upper respiratory infection
- Avoid salicylates - some studies show that nasal polyps could be due to a sensitivity to salicylates, which are both naturally occurring in some foods (tomatoes, eggplant) and are added as an artificial additive to processed junk foods (chips, crackers, biscuits). Try to avoid these foods for a few weeks, then re-introduce them back into the diet, one food at a time, to determine if there is a problem (or sensitivity) with the food
- Drink more fluids - adequate water, diluted fruit juice or herbal tea (such as chamomile, elderberry, peppermint or rose hip) intake helps to hydrate the body and moisten the mucous membranes to keep the allergens out and prevent them from causing symptoms
- Eat more garlic and onions - intake of garlic and onions should be added to the diet, as much as can be tolerated either fresh, cooked or as garlic supplements. Garlic and onions both have anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce nasal symptoms
- Eat more oily fish - oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout and tuna, as they all contain high levels of the anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids which may help to reduce inflammation inside the nasal passage and reduce severity and duration of symptoms, so that nasal polyps do not form in the first place
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - adequate intake of fruit and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables and brightly coloured fruit are natural foods that have a high content of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which may reduce severity and length of symptoms. Fruit and vegetables are also high in water, which is beneficial for hydrating the nasal passages and also helping to reduce symptoms
- Eat more nuts - adequate intake of nuts, especially walnuts or pecan nuts, contains omega 3 fatty acids which may help to reduce inflammation inside the nasal passage and reduce severity and duration of symptoms, so that nasal polyps do not form in the first place
- Eliminate food allergens - people with allergies and sinusitis may be more likely to have some type of food allergy that causes the chronic symptoms. The most common food allergens are: as cow's milk products, gluten, artificial additives and preservatives
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Avoid allergens - people with allergic rhinitis need to avoid the particular allergen(s) that cause their symptoms. If allergic to dust mites, use a vacuum cleaner with an air filter, if allergic to certain foods, avoid them, if allergic to other substances, avoid them as much as possible
- Remove carpeting - people who have chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis may benefit greatly by having hardwood (or tiled floors) instead of carpet. The hard flooring prevents a build-up of dust mites, dirt and other substances, which may reduce symptoms and prevent build-up of inflammation in the sinuses
- Rest - it is highly recommended to have an adequate amount of sleep and rest, to give the body the best chance of a quicker recovery from an infection
- Shower after being outside - people with chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis need to have a warm shower after coming home, especially if it has been a windy day. The warm water from the shower will remove any dust, pollens and other substances from the skin, the steam will help to open up the nasal passages and clear them, preventing severe symptoms
- Steam inhalation - the simplest remedy to help open up the sinus passage, break up the mucous and get rid of nasal polyps is regular steam inhalation. The steam breaks up the mucous in the nasal passages and lungs, lessens nasal congestion and wheezing and also assists with better sleep. Steam inhalation can be done with just plain water, or by adding a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water
Alternative treatments
- Immunotherapy - this treatment gradually provides increasing doses of the allergen(s) to which the person is allergic to over a period of time. Immunotherapy starts with a very minute dose of the allergen and as long as there is not severe reaction, the dosage of the allergen is increased over a period of time to help the immune system stop reacting aversely to the substance. Immunotherapy has the effect of making the immune system less sensitive to the allergen(s) and reduces nasal inflammation symptoms so that the nasal polyps do not develop in the first place or help to reduce them if they already exist simply by clearing up the nasal passages
- Nasal spray - there are a number of natural nasal sprays available, either with just saline (salt and water) or with other nutrients such as zinc and eucalyptus. Natural nasal sprays provide relief of symptoms of inflammation and may even help to reduce the size of the polyps and prevent further ones from developing
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with nasal polyps > Last reviewed: 3 January 2009 || Last updated: 6 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
