If the nose is always running, one cold takes over from the next and or your child already snores at a young age, polyps can also be behind it. But not only in childhood, the mucosal growths cause annoying discomfort. Polyps are mucosal protrusions that are usually attached to a stalk. They can occur in a wide variety of places in the body that are covered with mucous membrane, for example in the gastrointestinal tract, in the urinary bladder, on the teeth or in the sinuses.
Polyps in the nose
In common parlance, polyps are usually understood to be benign growths of the nasal mucosa that line the inside of the nose and sinuses, or – especially in children – enlargement of the adenoids. Polyps are benign growths, consist of connective tissue and contain fluid. Most nasal polyps are stalk- or teardrop-shaped; less commonly, they sit flat on the mucosa. They can be a few millimeters in size, but sometimes they expand to the point that they close off the entire nasal cavity.
They often grow near the entrances to the maxillary sinuses, in the paranasal sinuses, or in the connecting ducts between the sinuses and the main nasal cavity. Usually, they develop on both sides. Occurrence on one side may be an indication of tumor disease – whether the polyp is benign or malignant must then be clarified. Nasal polyps are very common and can occur at any age.
Causes of polyps
The most important cause for the development of nasal polyps is chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. These can be caused, for example, by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The nasal mucosa can also become polypy in the case of allergies as well as asthma or bronchitis.
As soon as an inflammation of the mucous membrane becomes chronic, there is a risk that polyps will develop and a vicious circle will develop: The growths make it more difficult to ventilate the nose, which then promotes further inflammation, which in turn leads to polyps. Nasal polyps also occur as a typical concomitant of cystic fibrosis, and people who suffer from aspirin intolerance also frequently develop polyps.
