There are two ways to treat nasal polyps, conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Doctors choose based on the severity of the disease and the degree of recovery from the disease. Using some medication to treat is always the initial option, but polyps tend to recur. Surgery offers a permanent cure for treatment.
Treatment of nasal polyps usually begins with medication, which can shrink very large nasal polyps or make them disappear completely. With medication for nasal polyps, the doctor may prescribe a spray of steroids to reduce the symptoms, and this medication may shrink the polyps or eliminate them completely. If the spray of steroids does not work, the doctor may have the patient take oral steroid medication along with the spray, but because these medications can have side effects, they will only be used for a period of time. The doctor may also prescribe other medications such as antibiotics to treat the condition.
If medication does not eliminate the nasal polyp, this is the time for endoscopic surgery, where the surgeon will use a small tube with a magnifying glass or miniature camera to insert into the patient’s nostril and remove it with a miniature instrument. In severe cases, the surgeon may enlarge the opening for treatment. After the procedure, the surgeon may recommend the use of saline lotion to promote recovery after the surgery.
Treatment of nasal polyps requires an exact treatment plan based on the patient’s condition, and a professional surgeon will develop a plan based on the extent of the disease.