Sneaky Nasal Polyps Symptoms That Pass as a Stuffy Nose—and Their ‘Miracle’ Treatment
It's easy to dismiss these signs of a nasal polyp as simply congestion—an ENT specialist helps you breathe easier
Constantly congested? The culprit could be nasal polyps, noncancerous growths that leave your nose stuffed and your sense of smell stymied. We asked a top ear, nose and throat specialist to tell us all about the nasal polyps symptoms you need to know, a “miracle” new treatment option and the one common at-home “remedy” to avoid.
What are nasal polyps?
Although not everyone who develops nasal polyps has allergies, the condition is often linked to allergic rhinitis, with the key difference being how the immune system responds to the allergic reaction. “In people who have nasal polyps, parts of the immune system overreact, causing significant swelling and very thick mucus,” says Linda Dahl, MD, an integrative ear, nose and throat specialist.
“At the same time, the parts of the immune system responsible for resolving inflammation and clearing the more persistent swelling aren’t working, and the lining of the sinuses pinches off into these solid polyps that are like the texture of peeled grapes.” (Discover the subtle inflammation symptoms women shouldn’t ignore.)
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Nasal polyps symptoms to watch for
Because these mini masses block the nasal cavity, the top symptom nasal polyps cause is a stuffy nose—but not your run-of-the-mill stuffy. “It doesn’t wax and wane,” says Dr. Dahl. “The nose is constantly blocked, making it hard to breathe, smell or taste.”
If you’re dealing with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps, the Mayo Clinic reports that you may also notice symptoms such as:
- Postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat)
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Pain or pressure in your face
- Headaches
- Snoring
The best treatment for nasal polyps
If nasal polyps sound like stubborn barnacles, it’s because they kind of are. In fact, they can’t be drained because their blood supply is too rich, Dr. Dahl explains.
“In the past, before new biologic treatments [more on these below] that target the immune system were invented, the treatment was just a merry-go-round of surgeries to ‘de-bulk’ them because it was impossible to remove them completely,” she explains. “Some people would have surgery every couple of years as the polyps filled up again.”
The good news? The days of recurring surgeries are over. “There’s a new line of treatment that’s been around for a few years, and it’s been like a miracle,” says Dr. Dahl. “Dupixent is the leading and most commonly prescribed brand, though there are a few others. These drugs work by modulating specific parts of the immune system, essentially targeting the root cause of the polyps and preventing them.”
Interestingly, this same class of drugs is also used to treat eczema and asthma, which are triggered in large part by an overactive immune system.
How meds like Dupixent work
Dr. Dahl adds that these drugs stop the cascade of the immune system response so that patients no longer have any symptoms. “The one downside is that it’s an injectable you have to give yourself every two weeks, but the side-effect profile is very low—most of my patients tolerate it very well.”
In fact, she says she has one patient for whom breathing deeply was especially important—a pop star who hadn’t been able to smell or even hear well for years—and this medication “healed everything.”
Avoid this at-home nasal polyps remedy
“Saline rinses are amazing for just about everything,” says Dr. Dahl, noting they’re great for flushing allergens. “But they are not a good idea if you have nasal polyps.” She explains that if the polyps block the nasal passage, the saline just doesn’t have enough space, which can lead to a “pond of bacteria” and may trigger sinus or ear infections.
While we’re on the subject of what to avoid, Dr. Dahl advises sidestepping pro-inflammatory foods and ingredients like sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup), refined carbs, dairy and soy lecithin, a common food additive. All of these can contribute to inflammation that may worsen nasal polyps symptoms.
The bottom line on nasal polyps
There are frustratingly few times in medicine when doctors can safely say a treatment is a gamechanger, but when it comes to the new class of biologics that target the root cause of nasal polyps, this is one of them. You don’t have to suffer through constant stuffiness or lose your sense of smell and taste—talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment for you.
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