Nasal polyps only usually cause symptoms if an individual polyp is particularly large or if you have clusters of polyps.
The symptoms of polyps can include:
- a blocked nose, which may cause breathing difficulties meaning you have to breathe through your mouth
- a runny nose
- mucus that drips from the back of your nose down your throat, which is known as post-nasal drip
- a reduced sense of smell or taste - in severe cases, you may totally lose your sense of smell or taste
- snoring
Sinusitis
If one or more polyps develop in or around one of your sinuses, fluid and mucus can build up inside your sinus. Sinuses are the air-filled cavities located on each side of your nose. This produces an ideal environment for infection to develop.
A sinus infection is known as sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis include:
- facial pain and tenderness near the infected sinuses, which is usually a throbbing pain that feels worse when you move your head and toothache or pain in your jaw when you eat
- a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
Some people with nasal polyps develop repeated bouts of sinusitis.
More serious conditions
Occasionally, a single, very large polyp or a large cluster of smaller polyps can cause more serious problems.
Obstructive sleep apnoea
A very large polyp or a group of polyps can temporarily block your airways while you are sleeping. This condition is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Most people are unaware that they have breathing difficulties during the night because the condition does not cause you to wake up fully. However, constant interruptions to sleep mean that you feel very sleepy during the day.
Double vision
Double vision is another potentially serious condition that can be caused by a large polyp or cluster of polyps.
The polyps can disrupt the normal workings of nerves and muscles that control your eyes. This means your eyes no longer work together and you see two images of a single object.
When to get medical help
A blocked or runny nose and a reduced sense of smell are typical symptoms of nasal polyps. However, they are also related to many other conditions, including the common cold. Colds usually clear up within 2 to 14 days, but nasal polyps do not get better without treatment.
See your GP if you have cold-like symptoms that last for more than two weeks.
