You may not be able to see nasal polyps, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sense their constant presence. In fact, more than half of people who have the condition say that reducing or eliminating their symptoms is a major challenge.
These symptoms can affect nearly every aspect of your daily life, from sleeping to smelling and even breathing. Understandably, that can take a toll on your mental health as well. Here are some of the most common nasal polyp symptoms you may be experiencing, plus ways to minimize them as much as possible.
1. You Get Headaches
Nasal polyps can block your sinuses, causing a buildup of pressure that can lead to a headache. Medications such as topical decongestants can temporarily open up your nasal passages and ease the pressure, but these medications are meant to be used for only up to three days, says Tran Bao Locke, MD, an otolaryngologist and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
You can also try to quell the ache with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), but ask your doctor before taking them. Some people with nasal polyps develop an intolerance to ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs); having a hypersensitivity to NSAIDs is also a risk factor for nasal polyps.
2. You Can’t Get a Good Night’s Sleep
When nasal polyps block your nasal passages and sinuses, they can lead to sleep problems such as sleep apnea, snoring, and insomnia.
A report on what it’s like to live with nasal polyps by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) found that close to half of people with nasal polyps and chronic sinus infections had trouble sleeping.
Before you go to bed, clear your nasal passages with a saline rinse or a neti pot. Be sure to use distilled water only — tap water can harbor bacteria and other germs that can lead to an infection, says Dr. Locke. You can also try propping up your head on an extra pillow. Sleeping with your head elevated can help reduce congestion, she says.
Your bedroom can harbor environmental allergens, which can further aggravate your symptoms and interfere with your sleep, says John James, MD, an allergist and spokesperson for the AAFA. Implement a weekly cleaning routine: “Wash bed linens in hot water, opt for an allergen-impermeable mattress and pillow encasements to reduce dust mites, vacuum regularly using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and keep pets out of the bedroom,” he says.
3. You Have Difficulty Breathing
Aside from causing difficulty breathing, large nasal polyps can pose a particularly significant challenge for people with asthma, mainly by increasing the risk for frequent asthma attacks. A humidifier can keep the air moist, which may ease breathing, says Locke, but you can also try to prevent problems by keeping your home as free of irritants as possible.
Fine dust and debris particles, chemical fumes, and tobacco and other kinds of smoke are common environmental allergens that can trigger not only an asthma attack but a flare-up of nasal polyp symptoms. That means vacuuming regularly and washing bedding, as well as avoiding cleaning products and personal care items with strong scents or perfumes.
Wash your hands often and well, since bacterial and viral infections can worsen nasal and sinus irritation.
4. You’ve Lost Some of Your Sense of Smell
It can be unnerving to lose your ability to smell or taste, but using nasal saline irrigations as well as intranasal corticosteroids can help “lessen inflammation, reduce polyp size, and improve nasal congestion and loss of smell,” says Dr. James.
For more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a biologic medication. “These medicines target a specific type of inflammation and can improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and decrease the need for systemic corticosteroids and surgery,” says James.
5. You Can’t Exercise Like You Used To
Nearly 1 in 3 people who have nasal polyps say that their condition prevents them from exercising properly. While this can be frustrating, your doctor will likely give you the all clear to resume normal activity once your symptoms are under control.
For now, you may want to try a slower-paced workout. “Listen to your body — if high-intensity workouts are too challenging, try low-impact activities like walking or yoga,” says Locke.
6. You’re Sad or Anxious
It’s not uncommon to experience some degree of anxiety and sadness. According to the AAFA report, about 1 in 4 people said their mental and emotional well-being were impacted by nasal polyps.
The more you know about nasal polyps, the more confident you may feel about managing your symptoms. “It’s important to understand that polyps are a chronic condition, but appropriate treatment can make a big difference,” says Locke. “Seeing a specialist is the first step, along with educating yourself about the condition, since this can help you feel empowered.”
It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you feel like your mood isn’t improving. “If sadness or anxiety persists, consider seeking support from a mental health professional,” says Locke.
The Takeaway
Recurring nasal polyps can affect your daily life, but you can take measures to help reduce their impact.
Some strategies include switching to easier workouts and keeping your home free of dust, strong scents, and other irritants that can worsen nasal polyps.
If you’re experiencing anxiety or other negative emotions about nasal polyps, it may be helpful to find support from a mental health professional.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Jessica Lee, MD, practices general otolaryngology at Charleston ENT and Allergy in South Carolina. After several years in clinical and surgical practice, Dr. Lee wanted to learn more about the impact of nutrition, activity, and sleep on general health and ear, nose, and throat health, so she pursued additional training in integrative, lifestyle, and functional medicine topics and became board-certified in lifestyle medicine in 2021.
Her practice centers on first addressing the lifestyle causes of disease and chronic illness, with the understanding and ability to use medical and surgical care for more acute concerns. She is also the co-founder and director of the Keto Hope Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families use the ketogenic diet as medical treatment for epilepsy
Lee enjoys cooking, strength training, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Jennifer Kelly Geddes is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor, who covers health, wellness, pregnancy, and parenting. She has held positions at Food & Wine, Parenting, Seventeen, and Airbnb magazines and was a research editor at Parenting for more than a decade. Jennifer has also worked as a research editor for Kiwi, Scholastic Parent & Child, Dr. Oz: The Good Life, Modern Farmer, CR Fashion Book, V, VMan, Parents, and National Geographic Kids. She has created custom content for dozens of websites, including Care, SafeBee, Fisher-Price, Mastercard, the National Sleep Foundation, Realtor, Working Mother, Grandparents, Time Out New York KIDS, Good Housekeeping, and Chewy. She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MA from Columbia University. And she is the mom of two teen girls and a rescue pup named Django. An avid tennis player, cross-country skier, and yoga enthusiast, she divides her time between West Harlem in Manhattan and Ghent, New York.
