Logo

Are Your Frequent Sinus Infections a Sign of Nasal Polyps?

Feb 23, 2023
Are Your Frequent Sinus Infections a Sign of Nasal Polyps?
It’s not uncommon to occasionally get a sinus infection. However, getting frequent sinus infections may be a sign that you have nasal polyps, a benign growth in your nose. Learn more about spotting the signs.

A sinus infection is one of the most common nasal problems — so common that many Americans don’t question what may have caused it. 

Frequent sinus infections are often associated with nasal polyps, a condition that causes a benign growth in your nose.

Find out if your frequent sinus infections are just that or if they are associated with nasal polyps by booking an appointment with Dr. Mani Zadeh. As a board-certified head and neck surgeon, he has the skills and expertise to identify nasal polyps and treat them effectively. 

What are nasal polyps? 

Nasal polyps are benign growths that form in your nasal passage or sinuses and range in size. While the smaller ones may not cause any symptoms, large or multiple growths can cause a blockage in your nasal passage resulting in difficulty breathing or frequent sinus infections. 

Because they are benign, nasal polyps are typically nothing to worry about, except they cause symptoms that affect your quality of life. 

Signs of nasal polyps 

Nasal polyps cause a range of symptoms, such as:

  • Snoring 
  • Nose bleeds
  • Persistent stuffy nose 
  • Running nose 
  • Decreased sense of smell
  • Headaches
  • Pressure in your face or forehead 

Nasal polyps can also cause constant irritation and swelling in your nasal passages. If you have persistent symptoms, difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or headache, see Dr. Zadeh. 

Causes of nasal polyps 

Scientists aren’t sure what causes nasal polyps to form, but certain conditions make you more prone to developing nasal polyps. Asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergic fungal sinusitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome are linked with nasal polyps. 

If you have a family history of nasal polyps, you are more likely to develop the condition than others. 

How are sinus infections and nasal polyps linked? 

Nasal polyps can block your sinuses, resulting in frequent infections when they go undiagnosed and untreated. 

There are two types of sinusitis — chronic and acute. Acute infections tend to go away on their own in one or two weeks and are typically caused by conditions like the common cold. 

Chronic infections, on the other hand, can take 12 weeks or longer to resolve. In such a case, conditions like nasal polyps are more likely to be responsible

Treatment for nasal polyps 

Steroid medication can shrink smaller nasal polyps, but in more severe cases, we might consider surgery to remove them. 

The problem with nasal polyps is that they’re prone to regrowth, so you may need to repeat the treatment down the road. 

Living with nasal polyps for many years without being aware of your condition is possible. If you’ve been getting frequent and unexplainable sinus infections, get to the root of them today by booking an appointment online with Dr. Zadeh. You can also call 310-286-0123.