Nasal polyps

Symptoms:

Those with nasal polyps often have a history of:

• Asthma.
• Aspirin hypersensitivity.
• Hay fever.
• Chronic sinus infections.
• Chronic drug use (reserpine, quanethidine, prazosin, cocaine abuse).
• Cystic fibrosis.

Sufferers often have the following signs or symptoms:

• Voice sounds as if individual is stuffy.
• Mouth breathing.
• Bad breath if there is chronic nasal discharge.
• Nasal obstruction.
• Runny nose.
• Impaired taste and/or smell.

Signs and tests:

Nasal examination with a nasal speculum (an instrument that enlarges the opening of the nose for inspection) reveals a grayish grape-like mass within the nasal cavity. Occasionally, you can shine a light up your nostrils and view the polyps with a mirror, though most polyps are not easily seen. A physician must treat nasal polyps.