Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous growths that can develop inside the sinuses and nose. While they are not usually painful, they can become very large and obstruct the airways, hindering your breathing and sense of smell. Generally, there is no definitive cure for polyps, as they tend to reform. However, you can take medications and make lifestyle changes to shrink or eliminate polyps and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Polyps with Medical Interventions
Step 1. See your doctor if you have symptoms of nasal polyps
They often show no signs and you may live your entire life without being aware that you have them. However, if they are quite large, you may have complications that require medical attention. If you notice the following symptoms, you should see your doctor so that he can diagnose the problem with certainty. If tests confirm the presence of these growths, medical treatments will be recommended.
- Excessive runny nose or stuffy nose
- Decreased sense of smell and taste;
- Pressure on the forehead or face
- Sensation of a clogged nose even without the presence of mucus;
- Headache;
- Pain in the upper arch of the teeth.
Step 2. Use steroid nasal sprays
These drugs can help you reduce the volume of nasal polyps; if they are quite small, using these medicines they may disappear completely. Some products are available without a prescription, but stronger formulations require a prescription. Talk to your doctor about using these medications and see if they are effective for you.
Some of the more common nasal sprays contain the following active ingredients: beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone and triamcinolone. Among the most popular brands you can find Nasonex or Flixonase
Step 3. Try steroids in the form of nasal drops
These drugs are similar to sprays and help reduce the volume of growths. They also help to free the nasal passages from congestion, facilitating breathing and at the same time acting on the size of the polyps. Most of these products need to be taken for 7-14 days to achieve satisfactory results, but it is often recommended to continue treatment for another 4-6 weeks.
When inserting the nasal drops, you have to bend fully forward and down, almost as if you want to put yourself upside down. Instill the drops when you are in this position and hold it for 3 to 4 minutes to allow time for the drops to reach the nasal passages
Step 4. Take prednisone
It is an oral corticosteroid that reduces swelling and inflammation; helps to soothe inflammation in the nose and at the same time reduce the volume of polyps. You can only take this drug on prescription; therapy usually lasts 7-10 days.
Step 5. Take oral antibiotics
Although they do not shrink polyps, they do help treat the complications that may arise as a result of their formation. If polyps block the sinuses, they can trigger an infection, because trapped bacteria will multiply. If you have a nasal cavity infection, your doctor will likely prescribe this class of drugs to get rid of it.
Step 6. Consider surgery
Although the treatments described so far help reduce the size of polyps, it is generally possible to completely remove them only with surgery. If they are persistent and cause a lot of discomfort, your doctor will likely recommend this procedure. The surgery is usually performed with endoscopic techniques. An endoscope - a long tube with a light and a video camera at the end - is inserted into one nostril and several tools are used to remove the polyps. The operation takes place under general anesthesia and the patient is discharged from the hospital the same day.
Be aware that in some cases, nasal polyps return after two to three years
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Further Formations of Polyps with Home Remedies
Step 1. Use a saline solution to clear the nose and sinuses
This remedy (which basically uses salt water) helps reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and dry out the mucus that clogs them. Salt slows the body's production of adiponectin, a protein that is associated with inflammation.
Mix half a teaspoon (or less) of table salt in 250ml of boiling water and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then put the solution in a spray bottle or use a neti pot and rinse the nasal passages
Step 2. Breathe in the steam
Breathing in the steam through the nose allows you to open the cavities and fluidize the thick mucus secretions responsible for congestion. You can try different methods of breathing in vapors.
- Close the bathroom window and door and run hot shower water to create a humid environment.
- To make a steam solution, boil a pot of water and pour it into a large bowl. Place a towel over your head and neck and turn your face towards the tub of water, so that your nose is right above the steam. Make sure the cloth wraps your head and bowl well so you don't get scattered. Inhale deeply to feel the steam entering your nose and continue until the water cools.
- If you wish, you can add a few drops of essential oil, such as peppermint and eucalyptus, to improve the action on the nose.
Step 3. Eat a combination of horseradish (horseradish) and honey to clear sinuses
It is a natural way to open these cavities. The horseradish has antibacterial properties; its taste and smell also help to open the nasal passages and reduce the size of polyps. Try eating some; if the taste is too strong, add some honey.
You can mix 200 mg of horseradish with just as much honey. Store the mixture in the refrigerator; eat one teaspoon in the morning and another in the evening every day until the nasal passages are open again and the polyps begin to shrink
Step 4. Increase your consumption of garlic and onion
Both of these plants are known for their antifungal and antibacterial properties which help soften the nasal glands and limit the volume of polyps. This effect is due to quercetin, present in both bulbs, which helps reduce inflammation.
Try eating two cloves of raw garlic and a few pieces of raw onion every day for a week. If you can't stand the taste, take them in supplement form
Step 5. Take xanthium supplements
It is a plant that originates in East Asia. In ancient traditional Chinese medicine it is known as "Fructus Xanthii" and has been used for centuries to treat polyps and nasal congestions. In fact, it seems to have effective anti-inflammatory properties on these neoformations and it is believed that its action allows to suppress part of the inflammatory reaction.
Step 6. Take hydraste supplements
Also known as yellow root, it is a plant of North American origin with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, thanks to its content of chemicals, such as berberine and hydrastine, both of which are able to reduce inflammation.
Do not take this plant if you are pregnant, as it may have adverse effects on the uterus
Step 7. Use diluted capsicum annuum spray
This plant is used in traditional medicine to strengthen capillaries, increase blood circulation, as well as to reduce polyps. You can purchase a diluted spray solution to soothe the pain in the nose and limit the size of the growths.
Make sure the product is diluted, otherwise it could be irritating. Also be careful not to get into the eyes or any open wound
Step 8. Loosen the mucus with the magnolia
It is a deciduous plant, whose bark and flowers can reduce the volume of polyps. The cortex has mucolytic properties, meaning that it is able to thin the mucus that clogs the nasal passages. Flowers also have astringent properties, which means that they can reduce the thickness of the membranes of the nose, thus decreasing the size of the polyps.
You must not use this product if you suffer from constipation or if you have stomach problems
Part 3 of 3: Strengthen the Immune System to Avoid Relapses
Step 1. Get adequate sleep every night
When the body rests, it is able to fight disease and infection more easily than it can when it is tired or stressed. Be aware of your limitations; Even if you think you will be able to stay up all night to finish a working relationship, remember that your immune defenses are actually affected. Make a commitment to sleep for seven or eight hours a night. Even taking a simple nap when you're tired can help your immune system work properly.
Step 2. Eat a balanced diet
Another aspect to consider to keep the immune defenses strong is to eat all the essential nutrients that the body needs. The amount of essential nutrients depends on weight, age and general health. You can talk to your doctor to work out a diet plan or read this article for more information on how and what you should eat.
- Choose lean proteins, carbohydrates from whole grains, unsaturated fats, low-fat dairy products, as well as include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
- Get between 500 and 1000 mg of vitamin C each day. This vitamin strengthens the immune system and stimulates it to function properly. If you don't get enough, your immune system suffers and increases your chances of getting sick or developing an infection. Rich sources of vitamin C are oranges, lemons, guava, kiwis, strawberries and papaya.
Step 3. Exercise every day
To keep your body healthy - including your immune system - you should exercise at least 30 minutes, three or four times a week. Physical activity accelerates the metabolism and strengthens the immune defenses. Try to do cardiovascular, flexibility, and weight lifting exercises.
- Cardio activities include running, hiking, cycling, swimming, and walking.
- Strength and flexibility training includes yoga, weight lifting, and stretching.
Advice
Don't forget that if you have surgery to remove polyps, there is a chance they will re-form. This is why it is important to strengthen the immune system and try home remedies to avoid relapses
Warnings
- Always consult your doctor before trying new herbal remedies or making any lifestyle changes.
- If you start to have difficulty breathing due to polyps, seek immediate medical attention.
