Symptoms Of Polyps In The Nose (Nasal Polyps)

Runny Nose

A runny nose can sometimes be a sign of nasal polyps. However, it can also be an indicator of many other conditions. The nose runs when excess mucus forms in the throat and nose. In normal circumstances, the nose can produce about a quart of mucus a day. However, when an individual is fighting an infection, the mucus becomes thicker and more prominent. The purpose of mucus is to trap and kill viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders to keep them from causing or worsening an infection. Runny noses can occur when individuals are infected by nearly any illness, particularly respiratory diseases. Individuals may get them if they have a sinus infection, allergies, the flu, or a cold. If a patient's nose runs for more than three weeks, it may be serious enough to cause nasal polyps.

Headaches

One of the possible symptoms of nasal polyps is frequent headaches. Some level of facial pain often accompanies these headaches. Individuals might feel like there is pressure behind their forehead and cheeks or their ears and along their jaw. The headaches tend to be related to chronic sinusitis that occurs alongside the nasal polyps. The cause is generally due to infections in the sinuses or a buildup of mucus in the sinuses. Many conditions can cause headaches, and not all of them are related to the sinuses. Sinus headaches tend to be felt toward the front of the face rather than in the back of the head. They are more likely to present as throbbing, pressure, and aching than as sharp pain. However, if the sinuses are inflamed or impacted enough, the headaches might become strong enough to feel like stabbing pain.