Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
Update Date: 2009/05/11 14:26 [China Times Health / Yang Gefei Report]
Gastrointestinal polyps may not cause pain or itching, but nasal polyps can be unbearable for many people. Some individuals with nasal polyps often breathe through their mouths instead of their noses. Others mistakenly believe in folk remedies, using corrosive herbal medicines to burn off nasal polyps, only to suffer adverse side effects. Doctors remind those troubled by nasal polyps or nasal allergies to seek medical treatment promptly and not delay care by relying on hearsay.
How exactly do nasal polyps form? ENT specialist Li Hongxin explains that the nasal mucosa can be divided into three parts: the superior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate. Long-term nasal allergies or inflammation can easily lead to sinusitis. If the nasal mucosa is chronically irritated, nasal polyps may develop. In their early stages, nasal polyps resemble small, transparent beads, similar to tiny basil seeds. With continued external irritation, the polyps grow larger, sometimes reaching the size of longan or lychee flesh, severely blocking the nasal passages and making breathing difficult.
The so-called external irritants are commonly known as allergens. The nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients is highly sensitive. Some people experience severe irritation upon contact with cold objects, cold air, or allergens like pollen, causing glandular cells to secrete fluids. Over time, nasal polyps develop.
If nasal polyps grow too large and block the sinus openings, sinus function can be impaired, leading to headaches and yellow nasal discharge. If the polyps obstruct the olfactory nerve, the nerve endings may be damaged, resulting in a loss of smell—a serious issue.
In treating nasal polyps, the first step is identifying the root cause to address it effectively. For example, if nasal polyps stem from allergic rhinitis, resolving the allergy issue can often resolve the polyp problem as well.
"Patients with allergic rhinitis are prone to developing nasal polyps!" Li Hongxin notes that nasal polyps and nasal allergies are closely related. Clinically, about 30-40% of allergic rhinitis patients develop nasal polyps. He points out that once nasal polyps appear, most cases require surgical intervention to restore normal function. Patients are advised to seek treatment early when symptoms are mild, rather than waiting until the polyps grow too large.
Common treatments for nasal allergies include steroid nasal sprays to control symptoms. When used under medical supervision, the side effects of steroids are minimal. For those wary of surgery or steroid use, radiofrequency ablation of the nasal allergy nerves is an option. This procedure targets the nasal allergy nerves beneath the mucosa with radiofrequency waves.
Removing the nasal allergy nerves can alleviate allergy symptoms. The procedure is brief, performed under local anesthesia, requires no hospitalization, and allows for immediate return to normal activities.
Family physician Li Zhengdao warns that some patients undergo corrosive herbal burning treatments, which may temporarily shrink polyps but can cause further complications. Those troubled by nasal polyps should seek hospital evaluation to determine the cause and receive proper treatment.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,66& id=6122
Misery: 30-40% of Allergy Sufferers Have Nasal Polyps
Gastrointestinal polyps may not cause pain or itching, but nasal polyps can be unbearable for many people. Some individuals with nasal polyps often breathe through their mouths instead of their noses. Others mistakenly believe in folk remedies, using corrosive herbal medicines to burn off nasal polyps, only to suffer adverse side effects. Doctors remind those troubled by nasal polyps or nasal allergies to seek medical treatment promptly and not delay care by relying on hearsay.
How exactly do nasal polyps form? ENT specialist Li Hongxin explains that the nasal mucosa can be divided into three parts: the superior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate. Long-term nasal allergies or inflammation can easily lead to sinusitis. If the nasal mucosa is chronically irritated, nasal polyps may develop. In their early stages, nasal polyps resemble small, transparent beads, similar to tiny basil seeds. With continued external irritation, the polyps grow larger, sometimes reaching the size of longan or lychee flesh, severely blocking the nasal passages and making breathing difficult.
The so-called external irritants are commonly known as allergens. The nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients is highly sensitive. Some people experience severe irritation upon contact with cold objects, cold air, or allergens like pollen, causing glandular cells to secrete fluids. Over time, nasal polyps develop.
If nasal polyps grow too large and block the sinus openings, sinus function can be impaired, leading to headaches and yellow nasal discharge. If the polyps obstruct the olfactory nerve, the nerve endings may be damaged, resulting in a loss of smell—a serious issue.
In treating nasal polyps, the first step is identifying the root cause to address it effectively. For example, if nasal polyps stem from allergic rhinitis, resolving the allergy issue can often resolve the polyp problem as well.
"Patients with allergic rhinitis are prone to developing nasal polyps!" Li Hongxin notes that nasal polyps and nasal allergies are closely related. Clinically, about 30-40% of allergic rhinitis patients develop nasal polyps. He points out that once nasal polyps appear, most cases require surgical intervention to restore normal function. Patients are advised to seek treatment early when symptoms are mild, rather than waiting until the polyps grow too large.
Common treatments for nasal allergies include steroid nasal sprays to control symptoms. When used under medical supervision, the side effects of steroids are minimal. For those wary of surgery or steroid use, radiofrequency ablation of the nasal allergy nerves is an option. This procedure targets the nasal allergy nerves beneath the mucosa with radiofrequency waves.
Removing the nasal allergy nerves can alleviate allergy symptoms. The procedure is brief, performed under local anesthesia, requires no hospitalization, and allows for immediate return to normal activities.
Family physician Li Zhengdao warns that some patients undergo corrosive herbal burning treatments, which may temporarily shrink polyps but can cause further complications. Those troubled by nasal polyps should seek hospital evaluation to determine the cause and receive proper treatment.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,66& id=6122