Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that appear on the lining of your nasal cavity or your sinuses. These soft growths often hang down like grapes or teardrops, and they are usually associated with chronic inflammation caused by allergies, drug sensitivity, asthma, and certain immune disorders. They can affect anyone, but they are more common in adults than in children. They can be shrunk or eliminated altogether with medication, but surgery is necessary in some cases. While small nasal polyps often have no symptoms, larger polyps can cause all kinds of problems. Let’s take a look at some signs that you could be developing polyps in your nasal cavity:
1. A runny nose
A runny nose is a fairly common sign of polyps, especially if it’s a chronic problem over a period of several months. The feeling is not unlike having a cold that simply will not go away. A runny nose once in a while isn’t always cause for concern but if your nose is persistently dripping it may be time to go to the doctors.
2. Persistent stuffiness
Having larger polyps in your nasal cavity can make you feel like you are perpetually stuffed up. The polyps grow until they block your nasal passage, leaving you feeling like you always need to blow your nose.
3. Postnasal drip
Postnasal drip can occur when your body produces more mucus than usual, which happens when you have a cold or polyps in your sinuses and nasal cavity. The excess mucus drips down the back of your throat, irritating it and giving you a cough that won’t go away. Granted, this could be caused by any cold or allergy, but a chronic problem could mean that you are developing polyps.
4. Decreased sense of taste and smell
If your nose and sinuses feel like they’re constantly stuffed up, you will lose much of your sense of smell. Since your sense of taste is so closely tied to smell, that will likely suffer as well. You might not completely lose the ability to taste and smell things, but it could be greatly decreased. Once again, this can be caused by anything from allergies to a minor cold, but a chronic condition could be caused by polyps growing in your nasal cavity.
5. Facial pain and pressure or toothache
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know how much facial pain and pressure it can cause. It can give you one of the worst headaches you’re likely to experience, and it can even give you a nasty toothache. Naturally, polyps that are large enough to block your nasal cavity can cause some serious problems in your sinuses. If you experience frequent toothaches, headaches, and general facial pain that cannot be attributed to any other causes, make an appointment with your doctor. It is possible that you’ve developed polyps in your sinuses or nasal cavity.
