Polyps arise when the tissue lining the nose, called mucosa, becomes very inflamed and swollen. The normal mucosa, which is pink, moist, and 1 to 2 millimeters thick, can become swollen with fluids and proteins until it resembles a fluid-filled sac.

Polyps form as a reaction to inflammation or allergy. In addition, patients with an inflammatory disease (not necessarily due to allergies) in the nose and sinuses may have polyps grow in the nose and sinus.

When there are polyps filling about 50% or more of the nose, the air in the nasal cavity is blocked and does not reach the area where the smell nerves are located. When air and odors can’t get to the nerve endings, then a person can’t smell well, or may not smell anything at all – and therefore can’t taste well, either, because much of our sense of taste is related to our sense of smell.

The treatment for polyps depends on what is causing them, so it is very important to get a thorough evaluation of the polyps in order to obtain the best treatment. Before surgery, we may want to try:

• Steroid Sprays Steroid sprays are prescribed for most types of nasal polyps, particularly mild polyps caused by allergic rhinitis (allergies to cats, dust, molds, pollens, trees, grasses and/or molds). They are also used for patients with medium and large polyps. Steroid sprays are helpful in shrinking polyps or slowing their natural growth.
• Steroid Pills Steroid pills will cause a dramatic shrinkage of the polyps, but the effect is usually temporary – a few days or a few weeks. While the fluid in the polyp is dramatically reduced, the inflammatory cells and tissue remain; after stopping the steroids, the water returns to the polyps and they often return to their original size, if nothing else is done.