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Nasal Polyps

Find safe and effective ways to treat nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps were not my problem. But now they are because my son has them. He often had stuffy, runny nose during early childhood but didn’t think much of it until we recently made a major “ewww” discovery (as my son puts it) in his nostrils. Believe me; polyps are not nice to look at.

So What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are round,

fleshy growths formed when linings in the sinuses and nasal passages get inflamed. Fortunately they are not cancerous. Polyps are shaped like a tear drop and tend to vary in size. You can have just one or few clustered together and usually they are present in both nostrils. Many are harmless but when some grow larger, they obstruct air flow in the nose and cause breathing difficulties. People with hayfever and other nasal allergies are most prone to nasal polyps, as are people who overuse nose drops and nasal sprays.

What Are the Causes?
It seems we don’t know exactly why we get nasal polyps but there are related conditions that could trigger their development such as:

Chronic Sinusitis/Rhinitis
Nasal Allergies
Asthma
Overuse of nose drops and nasal sprays
Cystic Fibrosis
Hypersensitivity to Aspirin

Main and Minor Symptoms Are:

Headache
Runny nose
Breathing difficulty due to the blockage (leads to mouth breathing while asleep)
Post nasal drip from mucus behind large polyps
Sense of smell may be diminished
Snoring caused by blocked nose
Huge polyps can distort the shape of your face
Sinusitis caused by blockage of sinus passages
Sleep apnea due to interference with breathing

Common Conventional Treatment:

Cortisone nasal spray contains steroids that reduce the growth of polyps.
Cortisone tablets are used to shrink the polyps. Likely will cause more side effects than nasal sprays.
Leukotriene inhibitors reduce inflammation and improves nasal airflow.
Surgical removal may be necessary in some cases. However, polyps can recur afterwards.

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Holistic Treatment/Natural Home Remedies:
Check with your medical doctor when trying herbs and supplements to make sure they are safe and will not interfere with any medications you may be taking now for existing conditions.

Homeopathic medicine Sanguinaria is effective in treating polyps as a result of chronic colds. Also Teucrium is helpful for reducing large polyps.
Garlic and onions are powerful foods to prevent symptoms.
Herbs like Echinacea, Quercetin, Garlic, and Fenugreek help to alleviate symptoms and strengthen immunity.
Lifestyle changes such as avoiding allergens, practicing relaxation techniques, getting good night’s rest, eating healthy, etc., all play important part to treat existing condition as well as prevent it from recurrence.
Inhaling a mixture of powdered bayberry and bloodroot frequently has been known to heal nasal polyps.
Practice nasal flushing daily by using a neti pot, syringe, or squeeze bottle with saltwater (refer to “how to” section on this site and read article mentioned in the “First-Person” blog entry dated 12/28/08 to learn more info)
Try oil pulling daily to relieve nasal congestion. Click on “Know More” on this site to learn the steps.
Minerals such as magnesium, zinc and selenium are known to alleviate inflammation and reduce severity of symptoms.
Steam inhalation loosens the mucous in the nasal passages and lungs.
Nux Vomica is also known as the poison nut. This homeopathic remedy can help with running or blocked nose.
Vitamins with antioxidant properties (vitamin C, E, A, B-Complex) can assist in reducing symptoms and boosting the immune system. Learn more by clicking on Holistic Treatment I and II.

Prevention:

It's difficult to prevent nasal polyps but nasal sprays (avoid prolonged usage; they can become the cause) and many holistic treatments along with do-it-yourself remedies mentioned above and throughout this site would be greatly beneficial.

Most of the suggestions listed above are repeated more in detail throughout this site. Nasal polyps are most likely the result of prolonged inflammation of nasal passages and sinuses, a main sign present in sinusitis/rhinitis and nasal allergies. Hence, treatment for one condition will naturally influence and heal other areas.

Back to Sinus Allergy Care
Go to Home Remedies I
Go to Home Remedies II