Nasal Polyps Specialist
Jacksonville ENT Surgery
Otolaryngology & Medical Spa located in Jacksonville, FL & Lake City, FL
The earliest signs of nasal polyps may seem like a cold or allergies. But as the symptoms get more persistent, you’ll need medical treatment to avoid complications such as chronic sinus infections and sleep apnea. At Jacksonville ENT Surgery, Charles Greene, MD, PhD, and Tara Condrey, PA-C, offer advanced care for nasal polyps, including an implant that can help you avoid surgery. If you have nasal congestion, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Use the online booking feature or call the nearest office today. The team has four locations, with three offices in Jacksonville, and one in Lake City, Florida.
Nasal Polyps Q & A
What causes nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are benign (noncancerous) growths that hang down from the inner lining of your nose and sinuses. Though they can appear anywhere in the nasal passages, they’re often located next to a sinus opening.
When polyps get too large, or become inflamed and swollen, they can interfere with breathing block the sinuses, or affect your sense of smell.
The cause for nasal polyps can’t always be determined. However, health conditions that cause long-lasting swelling and inflammation in your nasal passages or sinuses may raise your risk of developing nasal polyps.
These growths are often associated with chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, hay fever, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity.
What symptoms do nasal polyps cause?
Small polyps may not cause symptoms, but as they get larger, you experience:
- Sneezing
- Nasal obstruction
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Facial pressure or pain
- Nasal discharge
- Diminished sense of smell
- Diminished sense of taste
- Itching around your eyes
- Chronic sinusitis
When a polyp prevents mucus from draining out of a sinus, you can end up with chronic sinusitis.
How are nasal polyps treated?
After examining your nose, your Jacksonville ENT Surgery provider may need to get diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan, to see the exact size and location of the polyps.
Then they develop a customized treatment plan that may include one or more of the following, depending on whether they can determine the cause of your polyps:
- Medicine to reduce inflammation
- Medicine to shrink the polyps
- Saline irrigation
- Antihistamines
- Allergy immunotherapy
- Balloon sinuplasty
- Endoscopic surgery
- SINUVA®
- PROPEL®
Endoscopic surgery is done using a slim tool that your provider inserts into your nostril. The scope contains lighting, a camera, and a space where tools are inserted to remove your polyps.
After you have endoscopic surgery, your Jacksonville ENT Surgery provider may insert PROPEL, a mesh-like implant that expands to hold the passage open while you heal. The device also releases steroid medication to reduce inflammation, and then it gradually dissolves and disappears.
SINUVA is another type of implant that helps you avoid surgery. After your provider inserts SINUVA, it releases medications that shrink the polyp. As the polyp shrinks, your symptoms improve.
To learn more about your treatment options for nasal polyps, call Jacksonville ENT Surgery or book an appointment online today.