Nasal Polyps: 19 Natural Treatments
Nasal polyps are small bumps that can form in the nose when it’s over inflamed or infected. They’re often caused by allergies, sinusitis, and environmental pollutants like smoke, dust, and pollution. When they cause a lot of discomforts, however, doctors may recommend surgery to remove them.
Introduction: Nasal polyps are small pink-to-red nodules on your nasal lining (just inside the nostrils). If you have this condition, most people will notice changes in their breathing because of mucus build-up or blockage and infection if not treated promptly with antibiotics and steroids.
Nasal polyps are a common condition that affects the nose. This article will teach you how to cure nasal polyps and give you natural remedies.
Do you have odd lumps on the inside of your nose? If this is the case, you may have nasal polyps, also known as nasal polyposis. Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that are rather frequent. Nasal polyps affect up to 4% of the population in the United States.
Steroids, antihistamines, and surgery are among the most common therapies. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural home cures for nasal polyps and therapies to keep them from returning.
Nasal Polyps and How They Affect You
Polyps in the nose resemble peeled grapes or teardrops. They’re growths that border your sinuses or nasal tubes. Nasal polyps that grow to be too big, or a collection of nasal polyps, may clog your nasal passages and make it difficult to breathe. But, on the other hand, they are noncancerous, soft, and painless.
Nasal Polyps Signs and Symptoms
Either antrochoanal polyps or ethmoidal polyps are the most common types of nasal polyps. Antrochoanal polyps are less prevalent and originate in the maxillary sinuses. The ethmoidal sinuses give rise to ethmoidal polyps.
You may feel like you have a head cold if you have nasal polyps. However, because polyps have no feeling, you may not even be aware that you have them!
Symptoms and indicators of nasal polyps include the following:
- Nose congestion or obstruction
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drip
- A stuffy nose
- Pain in the face
- Problems affecting the sense of smell
- Taste deterioration
- Around the eyes, itching
- Infections
- Your top teeth are hurting.
- Changes in vocals
- Feeling of pressure on the brow and face
- Snoring
Nasal polyps may obstruct airflow and fluid outflow, leading to difficulties. They’re also caused by long-term inflammation. Complications that may arise include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous disorder that causes you to stop and repeatedly breathe throughout the night.
- Asthma flare-ups: Asthma flare-ups may be caused by chronic rhinosinusitis.
- Sinus infections: Nasal polyps might increase your risk of getting a sinus infection. They’re linked to a more than 12-week-long inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses (chronic rhinosinusitis, also known as chronic sinusitis). Chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps, on the other hand, is feasible – and much more probable.
Risk Factors & Causes
What are the causes of nasal polyps? Nasal polyps are caused by various factors that scientists are still trying to figure out. However, there is some indication that persons who acquire polyps have a distinct immune system response than those who do not.
Allergy rhinitis, asthma, aspirin allergy, sinus infections, acute and chronic infections, and cystic fibrosis are all associated with nasal polyps. They may affect anyone of any age, although they are most frequent in young to middle-aged individuals. Nasal polyps are more common in men over the age of 40.
Treatment
If you see a doctor, they will most likely examine the interior of your nose and sinuses using a nasal endoscope. Imaging investigations to identify the size and location of polyps further in your sinuses may be recommended by your doctor. These tests may also be performed to rule out other issues, including structural issues or growths. Your doctor may also suggest allergy testing to see whether allergies are the source of the irritation. If your kid has nasal polyps, the doctor may suggest that you get them tested for cystic fibrosis, which is a common cause of nasal polyps in children. A noninvasive sweat test is the standard cystic fibrosis test.
If you’re seeking a miraculous therapy for nasal polyps, a nasal corticosteroid spray is generally the first step. It might also contain a prescription for one week of oral prednisone. Nasal steroids such as Nasonex, fluticasone, Beconase AQ, mometasone, and beclomethasone may be administered to treat nasal polyps. Other drugs, such as antihistamines and decongestants, are ineffective in treating nasal polyps. If you have an illness, your doctor may suggest antihistamines to manage allergies or antibiotics before starting a steroid prescription.
If nasal polyps become too big to be treated with nasal sprays, your doctor may consider surgery. If the polyps are difficult to reach, surgical possibilities include polypectomy or endoscopic sinus surgery, in which the surgeon uses an endoscope to view the sinuses. Nasal polyps surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Surgery may assist, but it can also cause risks such as bleeding, infection, and the reappearance of polyps following therapy.
Healthy Diet & 19 Natural Treatments
Nasal polyps may be treated and soothed using a variety of natural therapies and home remedies. Making good dietary and lifestyle adjustments and employing essential oils and supplements are among them. Continue reading to learn about a range of possibilities for finding relief.
Supplements & Essential Oils
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, which is known for its antibacterial characteristics, may be beneficial when applied in the nasal passages. However, internal usage of tea tree oil is not advised.
2. Bromelain
You may be shocked to find that eating a pineapple’s fiber-dense core can provide you with an anti-inflammatory, immune system-boosting enzyme. Bromelain aids in the relief of sinus infection symptoms due to its ability to decrease edema. It also aids in the prevention of allergies and asthma.
Make a smoothie using the core of a pineapple. Take bromelain (300 FIP units) as a daily supplement (600 mg pill).
3. Magnesium
Magnesium, like bromelain, has anti-inflammatory effects and relaxes bodily tissue, among other vital tasks. Therefore, magnesium-rich foods should be parts of your daily diet, such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
You may also take a magnesium supplement. In the case of females’ pregnancy and breastfeeding or for individuals 18 and up, the National Institutes of Health advises 400–420 mg of magnesium per day, with RDAs modified for age. You may also absorb magnesium directly through your skin by soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salt.
4. Goldenseal
Nasal polyps may be treated by drinking a cup of tea brewed from this plant every day. Antibacterial and antimicrobial activities are found in goldenseal. Goldenseal should not be used for more than three weeks at a time, and pregnant or nursing women should not use it.
5. Zinc
Salmon, cocoa, and chickpeas all have something in common. They’re all excellent zinc sources. As a trace element, zinc is required for optimal bodily function. A small amount of zinc is required each day for the body to function optimally. Zinc is often used over-the-counter (OTC) to cure colds, and it may also be beneficial in treating chronic sinusitis, and hence nasal polyps.
Protein-rich meals provide the largest levels of naturally occurring zinc, so consume these. Lamb, chicken, turkey, yogurt, cashews, and eggs, to name a few, are examples. You may also take zinc supplements; teens and adults aged 14 and above should take 8–13 mg, depending on their sex and, in the case of females, whether or not they are pregnant or nursing.
6. Probiotics
Probiotics have been demonstrated to help the immune system, according to research. In fact, according to a research published in Science Translation Medicine, an individual’s microbiome may influence sinus health.
Eat sour and probiotic-rich foods to increase your probiotic levels. It’s also critical to give your system’s probiotics high-quality, high-fiber meals like chia seeds and sweet potatoes. Taking a daily probiotic pill is an easy approach to increase your probiotic consumption.
7. Turmeric
Several studies have shown curcumin to have substantial therapeutic capabilities, with outcomes comparable to or greater than many prescription treatments. What exactly is curcumin? It’s a well-known therapeutic component found in the potent plant turmeric.
Turmeric is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory substances on the planet, making it ideal for treating nasal polyps and sinus infections. Turmeric may be added to your diet by cooking with it (it’s widely used in curries). It may also be added to a smoothie. Turmeric supplements are also available.
8. Cayenne pepper
Do you like your cuisine with a little spiciness? If that’s the case, be sure to use cayenne pepper in your meals since it has several health advantages. Vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, beta carotene, manganese, and flavonoids, which are antioxidants, are all found in these little red chili peppers. That’s how you take your multivitamins, right?
Cayenne pepper contains vitamin A, which helps to decrease inflammation and allergies by avoiding irritated nasal passages. In addition, the antioxidants and vitamin C serve to strengthen the immune system.
Cayenne pepper, either dried or powdered, may be used to impart a fiery bite to meat, pasta, eggs, nuts, and vegetables. It may also be used as a pickling spice and added to sauces and beverages.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, which has a long list of health benefits, helps break up mucous, making it an excellent cure for seasonal allergies. In addition, it’s high in vitamins and promotes probiotic activity, making it a good cold cure.
For cold and allergy treatment, mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink three times each day.
Change Your Diet
10. Garlic
Garlic’s antiviral and antifungal qualities make it useful for treating colds and other diseases. In addition, garlic’s capacity to destroy microorganisms is due to allicin, a crucial chemical present in the plant.
Garlic may be taken as a supplement or used in various dishes. For example, try adding a garlic clove to your favorite chicken or potato meal.
11. Onions
Although onions may make you weep, they are high in antioxidants that aid in preventing inflammation, making them a good option if you have asthma or respiratory infections. Onions come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although sweet onions have the nicest flavor, yellow and red onions have more healthful chemicals, including quercetin.
12. Vegetables from the Cabbage and Greens Families
A diet rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene is essential for enhancing the immune system. Greens and cabbage family veggies, such as broccoli, are some excellent sources of these elements. Spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, mango, melon, winter squash, and kale are among these foods. They’re high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory qualities.
Try making food with greens, garlic, and onions for a wonderful immune system boost, like this sautéed kale recipe.
13. Essential Fatty Acids
What’s the connection between wild-caught salmon and flaxseed? They’re both high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential molecules that the body can’t produce on its own. Omega-3 foods have numerous advantages, including strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation. Both of these features are important in treating sinus infections and nasal polyps.
14. Stay away from alcoholic beverages
Alcohol may irritate your lungs and cause sinus issues, including nasal polyps, according to a research published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Research also shows that drinking might exacerbate symptoms in rhinitis sufferers.
15. Stay away from food allergens
Food allergies should be avoided in your diet to help prevent nasal polyps. Remove dairy, wheat, eggs, yeast, soy, or gluten from your diet if you have sensitivities to these items to reduce inflammation and allergic responses.
If you think you may have a food allergy but aren’t sure, you should attempt an elimination diet. This short-term eating plan involves eliminating particular foods that may be causing allergies or digestive issues, then reintroducing them one at a time to determine which foods are generating the allergic response.
Lifestyle Changes
16. Humidifier or steam inhalation
It is possible to wet your airway and sinuses by humidifying the air in your house. It may also assist in thinning mucus and minimize breathing tube obstruction and irritation.
You may also try breathing the steam from boiling water to open and moisturize the nasal passages and airway in addition to utilizing a humidifier. Add a few drops of essential oils to the water for extra medicinal impact.
Placing boiling water in a pan or dish and setting it on a table is a simple method to practice steam inhalation. Pull a chair up to the table and sit with your head a few inches over the bowl, a towel placed over your head to form a tent while taking deep breaths. Make sure you don’t overheat.
17. Irrigation of the nose
Nasal irrigation or flushing your sinuses with warm, saline water may relieve nasal congestion and aid with colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Using a Neti pot is an excellent method to do this. Ayurvedic medicine gave birth to the Neti pot. The Sanskrit word “Neti” implies “nasal washing.” Neti pots are readily accessible and may be found in shops and on the internet.
18. Drink plenty of water
Drinking lots of water and keeping hydrated moistens your nasal passages and thins mucus, in addition to nasal irrigation and steam inhalation.
19. Exercises for Deep Breathing
Deep breathing not only relieves stress and lowers blood pressure, but it also helps with COPD symptoms. You may attempt several different deep breathing exercises. These exercises can help you improve your lung capacity and keep your breathing passages clear.
Precautions
Symptoms of nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis might be similar to those of other illnesses, such as the common cold. If your symptoms last more than 10 days, make an appointment with your doctor. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room:
- Breathing difficulties
- Your symptoms have suddenly become worse
- Double vision, blurred vision, or a restricted capacity to move your eyes are all symptoms of a visual problem.
- Swelling around your eyes is severe.
- Headaches that are becoming more severe and are accompanied by a high temperature or the inability to move your head forward
Last Thoughts
- Make sure you consume a diet that will help your immune system.
- Inflammatory foods should be avoided.
- Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements should be consumed.
- To open and clean your sinuses, drink plenty of water and inhale steam.
- If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency facility right away.
- Nasal polyps are usually harmless; however, they may cause irritation and pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cure my nasal polyps naturally?
A: Of course, there are many different ways to cure nasal polyps. They can be caused by various conditions, including allergies, sinusitis, and even cancer. The most common way is through the use of steroids which are injected directly into your nose or taken orally as medication for several days before treatment begins so that they have time to enter your bloodstream and work their magic on the inside of your nostrils. In some cases, surgery may also be needed to repair the damage done by nasal polyps
What is the fastest way to shrink nasal polyps?
A: Chewing gum is a great way to shrink nasal polyps. It helps in the process of blood flow and inflammation, leading you to have better breathing.
Can exercise reduce nasal polyps?
A: Yes, exercise can reduce nasal polyps.
Related Tags
- nasal polyps treatment miracle
- nasal polyps ayurvedic treatment
- how to use tea tree oil for nasal polyps
- nasal spray for nasal polyps
- what causes nasal polyps
FDA Compliance
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE THIS ARTICLE?