Problems with the respiratory system always negatively affect the work of the brain, and therefore, of all its other systems. Polyposis of the nose is a disease that occurs in 1-5% of the entire population of the globe. It represents the proliferation of the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus or the labyrinth of the organ.
general description
Polyposis of the nose cannot be attributed to life-threatening pathologies, but it significantly worsens the quality of life, is able to deform the facial part of the skull, and constantly recur even after surgical removal. Externally, in the form of neoplasms, they are similar to peas, mushrooms on the stem or even grape clusters.
Under the influence of negative factors for a long time, the mucous membrane gradually loses its reserves and does not function as it should. The body starts the compensatory function and builds up the damaged layer.
The mucous membrane is compacted and thickens. In the area of the nose and its sinuses, neoplasms appear, which tend to increase. Polyposis of the nose can develop only on the mucous layer. It does not affect other tissues.
Studies have shown that in the absence of treatment for the disease, the patient's life is reduced by about 6 years. The fact is that he has to constantly breathe through his mouth, which increases the risk of developing bronchial asthma, lung lesions, trachea.
Causes of the disease
The reasons for the development of polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses are completely diverse. These include:
- Allergic reaction.
- Chronic pathology of the nose of an infectious nature.
- Restructuring or malfunctioning in the functionality of the hormonal and endocrine systems.
- Injury to the nose.
- Genetic predisposition to abnormal development of the mucous layer.
- Curvature or damage to the nasal septum.
- Systemic pathology of connective tissues.
- Congenital defect in the structure of the nose or paranasal sinuses.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Bronchial asthma or chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.
- Autoimmune processes.
- Living in an environmentally disadvantaged region.
- Cyst of the nose or paranasal sinuses.
Only timely identification of the causes of the disease will allow you to get rid of the problem for a long time.
Pathology classification
Polyposis of the nose or paranasal sinuses is different, so before starting treatment, you need to determine its type:
- Etmoidal. A growth is formed from the mucous membrane of the lattice of the organ. The nasal septum is affected on both sides. More often this type of pathology is diagnosed in adult patients.
- Antrochanal. Here the maxillary sinuses are affected. A polyp appears only on one side of the septum. This disease is more common in childhood.
It is also important to consider the stages of development of polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses. At the first stages, the neoplasm closes only a small part of the nasal passage. Respiratory function is not impaired, but a foreign body sensation is already present. The second stage is characterized by rapid proliferation of the polyp. He closes the nasal passage by half. Difficulty breathing.
At the last stage of development, the neoplasm completely covers the lumen. It becomes impossible to breathe through the nose.
Symptoms and signs
The patient begins treatment of nasal polyposis only after he feels discomfort. He may have the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Purulent or other discharge.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Constantly ajar mouth.
- Frequent discharge from the nose, inflammatory processes in the ear.
- Constant sneezing. With an increase in the formation, it irritates the mucous membrane and a protective reaction is activated.
- Headache. This symptom is a consequence of oxygen starvation of the brain.
- Tickling in nose, presence of foreign body.
- The development of tonsillitis, frequent damage to the sinuses.
- Nasal voices, hearing loss.
- Problems with smell or its complete absence. A polyp disrupts the functionality of odor receptors.
- Impaired mental performance.
- The formation of malocclusion in childhood.
With polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the person's well-being suffers significantly. In addition, constant breathing through the nose provokes a large number of complications. The patient's mouth is constantly parted, his nasolabial folds are smoothed out, his facial features change.
Diagnosis of the disease
The presented pathology requires differential diagnosis. This will allow time to identify a malignant neoplasm. Diagnosis of sinus polyposis involves the use of such procedures:
- CT This study is often performed before surgery to accurately detect the location of the formation.
- Biopsy. Tissue analysis will determine the structure and size of cells.
- Serological blood test.
- Otoscopy and pharyngoscopy.
- Bacterial culture of biological fluids.
- Laryngoscopy
- Endoscopic examination of the nasal and paranasal cavities.
In childhood, the diagnosis of polyposis of the nasal mucosa is difficult due to too narrow nasal passages. Parents need to see a doctor for a thorough examination if the child:
- Often there is a runny nose, which does not go away for a long time.
- Constantly stuffy nose.
- There was irritability, moodiness.
- Appetite worsened.
All these signs may indicate the appearance of a polyp, which prevents the baby from breathing. In addition, the performance of schoolchildren may deteriorate, and grades may decrease.
Traditional treatment
Treatment of nasal polyposis involves eliminating the causes of the development of pathology, restoring proper nasal breathing. It is also necessary to remove the neoplasm and prevent its re-growth. When choosing a treatment regimen, it is necessary to establish those factors that provoked the development of pathology.
Since it is necessary to treat nasal polyposis in a comprehensive manner, therapy includes the use of medications, surgery, as well as the use of additional drugs to combat the problem. The following drugs are usually prescribed to the patient:
- Hormonal They are injected into the formation itself. How many injections a person will have to do depends on the degree of prevalence of the pathological process, the size of the polyp. After completing the full course of therapy, the formation dies and falls off. Such a procedure is indicated for those patients who have contraindications for surgical intervention.
- Corticosteroids for oral administration, for example, Prednisolone. They are used for 4-7 days. After this, the drug is gradually withdrawn from the treatment regimen.
- Hormone-containing nasal sprays: Flixonase, Nazonex. They help prevent re-growth of the mucosa. And also drugs of this type eliminate edema, reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process. With large accumulations of polyps, such drugs are useless.
- Antihistamines: Tavegil, Claritin, Suprastin, Loratadin. They are necessary if the disease has developed against a background of allergies. It is better to give preference to drugs that do not have a cardiotoxic or sedative effect.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Fenspiride. When using drugs of this type, it must be borne in mind that the content of aspirin in them can aggravate the situation.
- Antibiotics: Zinnat, Summamed. They are necessary if in a person a bacterial infection has joined the inflammatory process. Before choosing a drug, you need to take tests to determine the sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms to it.
- Mast cell membrane stabilizing agents, for example, Ketotfen.
- Antiseptics - "Protargol". This medicine is simply instilled into the nose by the patient.
- Vasoconstrictor solutions - "Nazivin". When using them, it is necessary to take into account possible contraindications and the duration of therapy, it should not exceed 7 days.
- Immunostimulants - "Imudon".
In addition, the patient will have to do saline inhalations, insert turunds soaked in medicinal compounds in the nasal passages. Laser therapy, massage, reflexology will help speed up recovery.
The need for surgery
Drugs for the treatment of nasal polyposis do not always provide the desired result, and the disease recurs again. In some cases, medications are contraindicated to the patient. In this case, an operation is required. With polyposis of the nose, an indication for surgical intervention is:
- Frequent bouts of asthma.
- Strong snoring.
- Violation or complete absence of smell.
- Permanent nasal congestion, which can not be eliminated with drugs.
- Frequent bleeding.
- Curvature of the nasal septum.
Before surgery, you need to try to worry less and not give in to panic. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia. Modern methods of combating polyps have many advantages: a long recovery period is not required, complications are minimized. There are several types of operations that are prescribed for polyposis:
- Laser removal. This procedure is considered the safest and slightly injures the mucous layer. However, it is used only to combat small tumors. And with a laser, it will not be possible to eliminate multiple growths, as well as the polypous tissue itself.
- Polypotomy. With nasal polyposis, such an operation is performed in a hospital. A cut-off loop is used for it. This procedure retains a high risk of relapse.
- Removal of the polyp by a shaver. The formation is crushed, and its residues are absorbed. In this case, the risk of developing recurrent nasal polyposis is reduced.
Surgery requires a mandatory recovery period, in which it is better to follow the recommendations of specialists. Treatment does not stop after the removal of sutures, because improper care of the wound can lead to relapse.
After surgery, the patient will have to use hormonal nasal sprays. Periodic inspections are also required. If you listen to a doctor, then you can forget about the pathology for a long time or even forever.
Other therapies
Recurrent polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses causes a lot of problems. To avoid this, the patient can use other methods of therapy, for example, folk remedies. But you need to coordinate their use with your doctor:
- Celandine juice. This is a natural antitumor agent whose juice is toxic. Use it carefully. If liquid is used in small doses, then the division of the cells of the mucous membrane is normalized. You need to prepare the product correctly. Juice must be collected in May. He then wanders for a week. Keep it better in the refrigerator. Before use, the juice is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Bury 2 drops in each nostril in the morning. This course of therapy lasts a week. Next, a break of 10 days is made, after which the treatment is repeated. A total of 5 courses.
- Horsetail infusion. For cooking, you need to pour 20 g of dry grass pour 300 ml of boiling water. It is necessary to insist liquid 40 minutes. Next, the fluid is drawn into each nostril. The procedure is repeated up to 7 times a day. Therapy should be continued for 20 days.
- A decoction of a string of grass. For cooking, you need 20 g of herbs and 400 ml of boiling water. The mixture is additionally boiled over low heat for 15 minutes. After cooling, the broth is filtered. In each nostril, you need to instill 5 drops of the drug twice a day. It is necessary to be treated for 20 days.
- Drops of anise. They can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared independently. For this, 20 g of grass is poured with 100 ml of alcohol. Infuse the mixture for 10 days in a dark place. Before use, the liquid is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3. Bury in the nasal passage 10 drops 2-3 times a day. The course of therapy is 2 weeks.
- Honey. It is enough for them to lubricate the affected areas twice a day. Buckwheat or linden honey is suitable for the procedure. It must be fluid.
- A mixture of propolis (15 g), butter (25 g) and petroleum jelly (10 g). All components must first be melted in a water bath. The result should be a homogeneous gruel. Next, turundas are formed, moistened in the resulting composition and inserted into the nasal passage for half an hour. The prepared product must be kept in the refrigerator.
- Thuja oil. You can buy it in pharmacies. It is enough to lubricate the affected tissue with the product several times a day.
Folk recipes can be combined with each other. It is better to choose those funds that are suitable for a particular patient.
Complications
If symptoms of nasal polyposis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, as serious complications may develop. Among them are the following:
- With constant oral breathing, the air cannot clear and warm up, which leads to the development of tracheitis, bronchitis. In some cases, this situation can provoke bronchial asthma.
- If the nasal and paranasal cavities do not connect with each other, then the patient often appears sinusitis, sinusitis, ethmoiditis.
- Slowing of local blood circulation due to constriction of blood vessels, because the mucous membrane increases in size.
- Polyposis in children leads to abnormal formation of the facial part of the skull.
- Malignant degeneration of the neoplasm.
Often, complications of the disease worsen the prognosis of polyposis, since you have to deal with several pathologies at once.
Prevention and prognosis
Prevention is better than cure. To do this, follow these recommendations of specialists:
- Pay increased attention to the appearance of asthmatic attacks, allergic reactions.
- Eliminate all irritating factors that adversely affect the nasal mucosa.
- Make sure that the air in the house is sufficiently humidified. Drying of the mucous membrane can also give impetus to the development of polyposis.
- Establish a diet.
- Use saline solutions for washing in case of a runny nose, other diseases of the nose, as well as for the prevention of pathologies.
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene. It is advisable to moisten the nasal cavity regularly, rinse with iodine-saline solution. In the presence of inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx, inhalations of decoctions of herbs can be performed. As a prevention, you can treat the mucous membrane with almond and peach oil.
Polyposis of the nose or paranasal sinuses is an unpleasant disease that requires an integrated approach to treatment. It is not always possible to completely get rid of it, but proper prevention and periodic examination will help keep the disease under control.