Despite their relatively small size, nasal polyps can have an outsize effect on your life. If they become irritated and swollen, you can experience a variety of challenging symptoms, from difficulty breathing through your nose to compromised sleep and even a lack of confidence in social settings.
Here are a few ways nasal polyps can affect your quality of life and steps you can take to help keep this chronic health condition in check.
1. Nasal Polyps Can Cause Breathing Difficulties
Nasal polyps can make it hard to breathe out of your nose, forcing you to breathe out of your mouth. Mouth breathing may not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the most common concerns, says Kanwar Kelley, MD, an otolaryngologist in Orinda, California. That’s because it can affect everything from getting restful sleep to how confident you feel when speaking with friends or colleagues, he says.
Trouble breathing can also make it difficult to exercise. For that reason, about a third of people with nasal polyps cite issues with staying physically active as a consequence of the condition.
Tips to Make It Better
Along with sticking to the treatment plan, maintaining good nasal hygiene is essential if you want to breathe more easily. Ask your doctor what this should include, such as nasal irrigation with a steroid mix and/or a spray and frequent handwashing. “The best day-to-day changes that a person can make is strictly adhering to a good program for nasal hygiene,” says Dr. Kelley, who advises practicing the hygiene routine twice a day. “This helps reduce the effect of the daily allergens that you’re exposed to.”
2. Nasal Polyps Can Lead to Poor or Disrupted Sleep
Missing out on quality z’s is a common side effect for many people with nasal polyps. In a survey by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, nearly half of the participants with chronic sinus infections and nasal polyps reported that the condition has a significant impact on their ability to get a good night’s sleep.
“Anything that blocks the nose at night has a chance to disrupt sleep,” says Kelley. “This may lead to increased mouth breathing and an increase in snoring, which may be a sign of sleep disturbances and sleep apnea.”
Tips to Make It Better
Use hypoallergenic bedding and wash it regularly to cut down on potential allergens, says Kelley. You could also try using a humidifier in your bedroom to maintain moisture and reduce inflammation in your nasal passages while you sleep.
3. You May Experience a Loss of Smell or Taste
If you have trouble smelling or tasting things, you’re not alone. “Nasal polyps are a very common cause of loss of smell through physical obstruction of the olfactory nerves, as well as inflammatory damage to the nerve fibers,” says Charles Tong, MD, an otolaryngologist at Lenox Hill Hospital and Northwell Health in New York City.
Tips to Make It Better
Sticking to the treatment plan and nasal hygiene routine is the best way to minimize the effects of nasal polyps on these senses. Another strategy: Keep track of whether your taste and/or smell are affected by activities such as exercising or showering, as these could potentially provide some short-term improvements.
4. Nasal Polyps Can Increase Your Risk of Infections
If you have nasal polyps, you might find yourself getting sick more often. “Polyps are obstructive, and any obstructions in the nose disrupt air and fluid moving through the nose and can lead to blockages of the sinus, leading to congestion and facial pain,” Kelley explains. “When fluid and mucus are blocked, there’s an increased risk of developing an infection.”
Tips to Make It Better
Practice good nasal hygiene, such as using a nasal spray or rinse, to help improve mucus flow. Also, avoid known irritants, such as pollen and secondhand smoke, to reduce inflammation and help lower your chances of an infection, says Tong.
5. Nasal Polyps Can Have a Social and Emotional Impact
Approximately a quarter of people with chronic sinus infections and nasal polyps report that the condition affects their emotional and mental health. “When polyps obstruct the nose, it can lead to a nasally voice, as well as mouth breathing,” says Kelley. On top of that, breathing through your mouth excessively can leave you with bad breath, making the situation even worse.
Tips to Make It Better
Sticking to treatment and management strategies, such as taking medication and using a nasal saline spray, is your best bet for managing polyps and making it easier to breathe through your nose.
In addition, when you’re making plans to do something social, consider how an activity may affect your breathing. For example, you may want to skip the alcohol. One study found that for both heavy and lighter drinkers, sipping wine led to nasal obstructions and significant reductions in nasal volume within two hours of consumption.
The Takeaway
- Nasal polyps can significantly affect your day-to-day well-being and quality of life.
- This chronic condition can take a toll on breathing, sleep, and even your senses of taste and smell.
- By sticking to the treatment plan and making lifestyle and routine adjustments, you can reduce the impact of nasal polyps and improve your quality of life.
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