Can’t Breathe Through Your Nose? It Might Be Nasal Polyps
- Posted on: Dec 15 2025
Have you been struggling with chronic nasal congestion, facial pressure, or a loss of smell that just doesn’t seem to improve? While these symptoms are often blamed on allergies or sinus infections, they may actually be caused by nasal polyps — soft, noncancerous growths that form inside the nose and sinuses.
At Sinus & Snoring Specialists, we frequently see patients who have lived with nasal polyps for years without realizing it. Although these growths are benign, they can significantly impact breathing, sleep, and quality of life. In some cases, their symptoms can even resemble those of more serious conditions, such as nasal or sinus cancers.
In this post, we’ll answer common questions about nasal polyps — including how common they are, what symptoms to look for, and how they’re treated — so you can better understand when it’s time to seek expert ENT care.
What Are Nasal Polyps and How Common Are They?
Nasal polyps are small, painless growths that develop along the lining of the nose or sinuses due to chronic inflammation. They are soft, jelly-like, and noncancerous.
Nasal polyps occur in approximately 2–4% of people. However, certain medical conditions are associated with a higher risk. For example, about 30% of patients with chronic sinusitis also have nasal polyps.
While anyone can get them, they are more frequently seen in adults and in people with asthma, allergies, or recurring sinus infections.
What Symptoms Indicate Someone Has Nasal Polyps and When Should Someone Seek Treatment?
Nasal polyps can vary in size and number, and because they don’t cause pain, many people don’t realize they have them until the symptoms become hard to ignore. Common symptoms of nasal polyps include:
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- Persistent nasal congestion or blockage
- Facial pressure or a feeling of fullness
- A reduced or lost sense of smell (and sometimes taste)
- Recurrent or chronic sinus infections
If you experience these symptoms, it may be time to schedule an evaluation with an ENT specialist.
3. What Are the Common Treatments for Nasal Polyps?
Treatment for nasal polyps depends on their size, number, and the cause of inflammation. At our clinic, we use both medical and surgical treatments to provide lasting relief and prevent recurrence.
• Medications:
Steroids (oral, topical, or both) and antibiotics can help shrink polyps and control inflammation.
• Allergy management:
Treating underlying allergies with immunotherapy (allergy drops) can reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy:
Newer treatments such as Dupixent® (dupilumab) target specific inflammatory pathways that lead to polyp formation.
• Surgical options:
If medications aren’t effective, nasal polyps can be removed surgically, either in the office or in an operating room setting. Even after removal, maintenance treatment is important to prevent regrowth.
What Are the Risks of Having Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps can cause significant nasal obstruction, leading to persistent congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the face.
When polyps block the sinus drainage pathways, they can cause repeated sinus infections. Polyps located near the upper part of the nasal cavity can also reduce or eliminate the sense of smell (hyposmia or anosmia), which may in turn affect the sense of taste.
In rare cases, sinus infections related to polyps can spread to nearby areas. If you ever experience eye pressure, redness, double vision, decreased vision, severe headaches, or confusion, seek immediate medical care.
When to See an ENT Specialist
If you’ve been dealing with ongoing nasal congestion, facial pressure, or a decreased sense of smell, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. To get a proper diagnosis and explore the best treatment options, call or securely text our clinic today at 512-601-0303 to request an appointment.
Tagged with: nasal polyps
Posted in: Chronic Sinus Infection, nasal congestion, Nasal Polyps, Sinus and Nasal, Sinus Infection, Turbinate reduction
