Nasal polyps are benign growths originating from the mucosa that lines the sinuses and nasal passageways. They dangle down like teardrops or grapes and are soft, painless masses.

It is a recurrent illness that affects over 4% of people. The condition affects adult males more frequently than females (4:1).

What causes nasal polyps?

The exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown. Several diseases or conditions act as triggering factors for the development of the disease. It includes:

1. Nasal allergy.
2. Rhinosinusitis.
3. Asthma.
4. Chrug-Strauss Syndrome.
5. Nasal Mastocystosis.
6. Asprirn intolerance.
7. Allergic fungal sinusitis.
8. Young Syndrome.

The nasal polyp grows from the inflamed tissue of the nasal mucosa. The mucosa swells and turns red when an allergy or infection affects it. Out of this mucosa, fluid starts to drip. Nasal polyps develop when the irritants mentioned above are exposed for a long period.

What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, grape-like masses usually seen hanging from the upper side of the nostrils. There may be no symptoms for small nasal polyps. Large nasal polyps can obstruct the nasal tube and cause several symptoms, including

1. Nasal stuffiness leading to complete or partial obstruction.
2. Loss of smell.
3. Breathing through the nose.
4. Snoring.
5. Frequent infections.
6. Voice may be thick or dull.
7. Sneezing and watery discharge from the nose.
8. Sense of pressure over the face and the head.
9. Facial pain and headache.

Nasal polyps in Ayurveda

The symptoms of nasal polyps can be correlated with the disease of nasarshas in Ayurveda. It is one of the 31 nasagata rogas in Ayurveda. The individual getting exposed to excessive cold, smoke, dust, excessive sleep, etc aggravates the tridoshas in the body. These doshas get lodged in the nose and vitiate the twak, mamsa, and medo dhatu leading to the formation of nasarshas.

The clinical symptoms of nasarshas include pratishayaya (nasal discharge), atimatram kshavathu (excessive sneezing), kricha-uchhwasta (difficulty in breathing), putinasya (offensive nasal secretion disease), anunasika vakyatvam (loss of nasal tone), shirodukham (headache).

Management of Nasal polyps in Ayurveda

Nasal polyps can be managed in Ayurveda by adopting the following line of treatment:

1. Aushadi: Intake of medicinal supplements, especially those with kaphahara properties, reduces nasal polyps’ growth.
2. Kshara karma: The application of alkali having teekshna, lekhana, tridoshgna, and ushna properties externally arrest the growth of nasal polyps.
3. Agnikarma: Cauterization of the nasal polyps.
4. Sastrakarma: Surgical methods can be adopted to manage nasal polyps.
5. Nasyam: Instilling nasal drops with lekhana, teekshna, and tridoshgna properties helps to manage nasal polyps.

Lifestyle modifications

1. Maintain self-hygiene as well as environmental hygiene.
2. Steam inhalation, if there is a persistent cold.
3. Avoid exposure to excessive colds, allergens like tobacco, dust, chemical fumes, pollens etc.
4. Practice Yoga therapies like pranayama and breathing exercises regularly.

Conclusion

There are many pretty good ideas as to how you can us home remedies to get relief from nasal polyps. But, we always recommend that you consult an ayurvedic practitioner before taking any drastic steps. Even though most of the ayurvedic herbs are safer to use, you might be allergic to some of them.

As prevention is always better than cure, we always focus on health and wellness by incorporating natural, holistic treatments taking care of our patient’s unique needs. If you’re looking for a compassionate Ayurveda expert, Contact us online