Nasal Polyps Treatment By Best ENT Specialists In India

Pristyn care is one of the best and largest surgery care providers in India. It has tie-ups with some of the best ENT clinics all over India to help provide advanced ear, nose, and throat treatment to all patients at affordable prices. Additionally, Pristyn Care has a team of expert ENT specialists who provide advanced treatment for a variety of problems like nasal polyps, turbinate hypertrophy, sinusitis, etc., without any complications or breathing problems for the patient.

Pristyn Care also provides other auxiliary services to the patient, such as complete insurance and hospital documentation support, easy payment plans like no-cost EMI, etc. It also provides cab facility to the patient for pick up and drop off from the clinic on the day of surgery and complimentary meals during hospitalization.

Before treatment, the patient has to undergo a thorough diagnosis to determine the kind of treatment they need, through diagnostic and imaging tests such as nasal endoscopy, CT scans, allergy tests, blood tests, tissue cultures, etc.

Nasal polyp treatment generally focuses on reducing the size of polyps or eliminating them completely to provide the patient relief from associated breathing problems like sinusitis, asthma flare-up, etc. Generally, the first approach to treatment is medications. However, the patient may need surgical intervention if medical treatment does not work in shrinking the polyps. 

Medical treatment for nasal polyps includes nasal or oral/injectable corticosteroids. Along with steroids, the patient may also need other medications for symptomatic relief, i.e., medicines for sinusitis, pain management, etc. If the patient has an allergy flare up, they may also need medications for allergy management.

Endoscopic surgery is the most preferred surgical treatment for nasal polyps. During endoscopic surgery, the surgeon inserts an endoscope (a small tube with camera lens or magnifying glass) through the nasal passages and uses endoscopic instruments to remove the polyps and other nasal blockages. This improves airflow through the nasal and paranasal areas. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. Since no major cuts or incisions are performed during the surgery, the recovery process is usually very quick.

You should follow the given instructions to prepare for the surgery and avoid both surgical and post-surgical complications:

• Nasal polyps can be accompanied by other issues like sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, etc., so undergo a thorough diagnosis to decide whether you need an additional surgery.
• Smoking worsens breathing problems and slows down the healing process, so you should stop smoking at least 2-3 weeks before the surgery.
• Aspirin and some other NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery so you should avoid taking them before the surgery.
• Confirm the type of anesthesia being used for your surgery with your doctor and ask them which precautions you are supposed to take. Make sure you have someone with you who can drive you home afterward as you may not be able to drive yourself.
• Arrange some time off of work or school if needed.

Nasal polyps are often mistaken for common cold, flu, sinusitis, etc., as their symptoms are so similar. The most obvious sign of a nasal polyp is that the symptoms are worsening instead of improving despite medical treatment. If the symptoms persist for over 10 days, then the patient should consult an ENT specialist for treatment immediately. 

Not getting treatment on time can lead to serious complications like difficulty in breathing, double or reduced vision, severe facial swelling, headache, etc. A general or primary care physician can perform the initial consultation, but only an ENT specialist will be able to treat nasal polyps properly for long-term relief.

The exact recovery time after nasal polyp treatment depends on the severity of the condition, the size of the polyps, associated health conditions, the type of treatment, etc. With medical management, patients start noticing obvious improvement in their symptoms within 1-2 weeks. However, most patients are advised to take medicines for 4-6 weeks to prevent a recurrence.

If endoscopic surgery is performed, the patient can start performing light activities and return to desk work within one week; however, exercising and strenuous activities have to be delayed until at least 2-3 weeks after the surgery. Complete recovery usually takes at least 4-6 weeks.

If you’ve recently undergone nasal polyp surgery, you should follow the given tips to aid your recovery:

• Avoid straining or blowing your nose for at least 10 days to prevent the incision from reopening.
• Avoid strenuous activities, lifting heavy weights, etc., for at least 2 weeks. You can start performing your day to day activities within a few days of the surgery but should wait before attempting more difficult tasks.
• Take your medications as prescribed. Do not take any medicines or supplements without approval from your doctor.
• Use a saline nasal spray every 2-3 hours for a few days after the surgery.
• Use a sinus rinse kit to irrigate and cleanse your sinuses at least twice a day.

Some basic preventive tips the patient can follow for nasal polyp prevention  are:

• Manage your allergies and asthma properly, as per the doctor’s instructions. If your current treatment strategy isn’t effective, then consult your doctor to update it.
• Avoid nasal irritants like known allergens, pollens, tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust, fine debris, etc., that can contribute to nasal inflammation.
• Maintain cleanliness and good hygiene around you to avoid infections.
• If you live in dry regions, use a humidifier to aid your breathing and airflow.
• Use a neti pot or similar nasal rinse kits to clean your nasal passages with lukewarm salt water/saline water.

Small nasal polyps are generally asymptomatic, however, large growths can block the nasal passages and cause severe breathing distress. They can even result in loss of smelling and taste sensations and increase the probability of nasal and sinus infections. If you do not get proper treatment for nasal polyps, it can potentially result in complications like obstructive sleep apnea, asthma flare-ups, recurrent sinus infections, etc.

Although very safe, occasionally nasal polyp surgery can result in complications like:

• Bleeding
• Recurrence of the condition/failure to resolve symptoms
• Spinal fluid (CSF) leakage
• Visual problems
• Change in smell or taste perception
• Facial pain
• Change in resonance or quality of voice
• Swelling or bruising around the eyes