Effective Ways to Treat Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps present a challenge because there is a feeling that your nasal passage is permanently blocked or congested. While sinusitis is a chronic condition that is painful to deal with, polyps tend to make life harder as allergy medicines or over-the-counter medicines do not help. Polyps in the nasal passage are generally benign growths of the mucosa or the lining tissues. The answer to the question of how to treat nasal polyps is generally medication.
Generally, the goal is to make the polyps disappear completely or work to reduce their size. Some of the drugs that may be prescribed are as follows:
1. Oral or corticosteroid injections
Generally, nasal corticosteroids are prescribed first. If they do not work, physicians will then consider prescribing an oral corticosteroid. For instance, Prednisone along with a nasal spray may be prescribed. These oral corticosteroids tend to have serious side effects and must be taken only for a short period. If the physician finds the polyps to be severe, then they may recommend an injectable corticosteroid.
2. Dupixent
Are you wondering how to treat nasal polyps? First and foremost, you must let the physician know if you have chronic sinusitis too. In such cases where patients suffer from both, physicians may prescribe an injection called Dupilumab or Dupixent. The injection works to reduce congestion while reducing the size of the polyp.
3. Nasal corticosteroids
As soon as you ask your physician about how to treat nasal polyps, you will likely be given a prescription for a corticosteroid spray. These sprays work to reduce the swelling commonly associated with polyps. Also, it works to reduce irritation too. Generally, the nasal spray works very well to shrink or eliminate the polyps. The following list of sprays may be prescribed.
- Flonase Allergy Relief
- Flovent HFA
- Rhinocort
- Nasonex, Asmanex HFA
- Alvesco, Zetonna
4. Other ways to treat
Once the physicians have gotten your medical history, they may prescribe medicines that lower the swelling in the sinus area or the nasal passage. Some of the medicines that are prescribed may include antihistamines or antibiotics. This decision is generally taken by the doctor based on your symptoms and pain. Sometimes, doctors may prescribe aspirin desensitization. This is undertaken under the watchful eye of an allergy specialist. Some patients present a sensitivity to aspirin, and the specialist may give specific instructions to manage the same. The dosage of aspirin is gradually increased under the care of a doctor.
5. Surgery
If medications do not work, then doctors may suggest an endoscopic surgery to eradicate the polyps. A small tube (with a lighted magnifying lens) is inserted into the sinus area, and the polyps are removed.
Polyps are easily taken care of with medication. Contact your physician to get the most suitable remedy for you.