Have you ever experienced a cold, which doesn’t seem to go away, or nasal congestion that sees no end? At times, the congestion does not go away with any allergy or over-the-counter medication. Such a condition may be due to nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growth seen on the nose’s mucosa or the lining tissues.

Read on to know the signs and diagnosis of nasal polyps.

Signs
Some of the common signs of nasal polyps include:

• Persistent blocked or stuffy nose; in a few cases, the patient might experience difficulty in breathing.
• Obstructive sleep apnea; is a severe condition in which breathing momentarily stops while sleeping.
• Runny nose with a constant feeling of cold.
• Headache
• Facial pain
• Loss of sense of taste
• Itchiness around the eyes
• No sense of smell
• Snoring
• Double vision
• Postnasal drip

Diagnosis

Physical examination
Usually, the diagnosis is based on the answers to questions regarding symptoms. Therefore, a physical examination of one’s nose would suffice. In most cases, polyps are visible using a tiny light-weight instrument.

In case nasal polyps are not visible, the doctor will perform a few other diagnostic tests, which are listed below.

• Nasal endoscopy
  In this method, the doctor inserts a narrow tube with a tiny camera or compact magnifying lens to conduct a thorough examination of the sinuses and the nose.

• Imaging studies
  In this method, the images are attained via a CT-scan. These can aid doctors in finding the exact location and size of the polyps. Doctors use this method when the polyps are located in a deeper area of the sinus. Imaging studies will also help understand the extent of inflammation. Via this method, doctors can rule out other possible nasal cavity blockages, any abnormal non-cancerous or cancerous growth, or other structural abnormalities.

• Allergy tests
  If allergies are responsible for chronic inflammation, the doctor will recommend a skin test. A skin-prick test helps find such inflammation.

• Blood test
  In case a skin test cannot be performed, the doctor will conduct a blood test to check for allergens or particular antibodies. Blood tests can also help examine the deficiency of Vitamin D, which can cause nasal polyps.

• Tests to check for cystic fibrosis
  In children with nasal polyps, the physician will perform further tests for examining cystic fibrosis. It is a hereditary condition that affects the glands responsible for the production of saliva, tears, mucus, digestive juices, and sweat. One of the typical tests used to check for cystic fibrosis is a non-invasive sweat test. It is a test conducted to check if the sweat of the child is saltier than average.

Knowing about these signs and diagnosis of nasal polyps will help you manage the condition effectively.