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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 strategies which are recommended to help deal with nasal polyps:
- Avoid any allergens - removing exposure to allergens will reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms, which can reduce the amount of inflammation in the nasal passages and reduce likelihood of nasal polyps developing in the first place
- Don't smoke - cigarette smoke irritates the sinus passages, which may cause further inflammation. You also needs to reduce your exposure to your second-hand cigarette smoke too
- 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 - 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
- Humidifier (or vaporiser) - a humidifier (or vaporiser) helps to provide more moisture in the air, which may help to reduce symptoms of inflammation in the nasal passages. The humidifier can be used with just plain water or with a few drops of eucalyptus oil to help further reduce symptoms
- Increase intake of fish, nuts and seeds - oily fish (such as salmon) as well as nuts and seeds have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. The omege-3 fatty acids in the fish may help to reduce nasal symptoms which can reduce incidence of nasal polyps developing in the first place
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- Natural nasal sprays - 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 by moistening the nasal passages and may even help to reduce the size of the polyps and prevent further ones from developing
- 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. Even people with allergic rhinitis need to ensure they are resting properly as the constant allergic reaction is hard on the body and creates a lot of lethargy and tiredness (because of the body having to deal with the immune system constantly over-reacting)
- Shower after being outside on windy days - 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
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > 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.
