What does a healthy nose look like inside a child. The anatomical structure of the nose: what you need to know about the organ of smell. Why are nasal polyps dangerous?
The tissues of the lungs are quite delicate, and therefore the air entering them must have certain characteristics - be warm, moist and clean. When breathing through the mouth, these qualities cannot be achieved, which is why nature created the nasal passages, which, together with neighboring sections, make the air ideal for the respiratory organ. With the help of the nose, the inhaled stream is cleaned of dust, moistened and warmed. Moreover, it does this when passing through all departments.
Functions of the nose and nasopharynx
The nose is made up of three parts. All of them have their own characteristics. All departments are covered with a mucous membrane and the more it is, the better the air is processed.
It is important that this type of tissue is not susceptible to pathological conditions. In general, thanks to the nose, the following functions are carried out:
- Heating of cold air and its preservation;
- Purification of pathogens and air pollution (using the mucous surface and hairs on it);
- Thanks to the nose, each person has his own and unique timbre of voice, that is, the organ also works as a resonator;
- Distinguishing odors by olfactory cells that are in the mucosa.
Each section of the nose is arranged in its own way and is responsible for a specific job. At the same time, the rather complex structure of the bone and cartilage tissue allows better processing of the incoming air flow into the lungs.
General structure
Speaking of departments, there are three components of the nasal system. They differ in their structure. Moreover, for each person, some elements may differ in general, but at the same time play their role in the process of breathing and smelling, as well as protection. Therefore, to simplify, the following parts are distinguished:
- outdoor;
- nasal cavity;
- Sinuses.
All of them have common features in all people, but at the same time there are differences. It depends on the individual anatomical features, as well as on the age of the person.
The structure of the outer part
The outer part is formed by the bones of the skull, cartilaginous plates, muscle and skin tissues. In shape, the external nose resembles a trihedral irregular pyramid, in which:
- The top is the bridge of the nose between the eyebrows;
- The back is the surface of the olfactory organ, consisting of two lateral bones;
- The cartilaginous tissue continues the bone, thus forming the tip and wings of the nose;
- The tip of the nose passes into the columella - a septum that forms and separates the nostrils;
- All this is covered from the inside by a mucous membrane with hairs, and from the outside - by the skin.
The wings of the nose are supported by muscle tissues. A person does not actively use them, and therefore they are referred to a greater extent to the mimic department, which helps to reflect the emotional state of a person.
The skin in the nose area is quite thin and is supplied with a large number of blood vessels and nerve endings. Columella is usually not perfectly straight and has a slight curvature. At the same time, in the region of the septum, there is also the Kisselbach zone, where there is a large accumulation of blood vessels and nerve endings, and practically at the very surface of the integument.
That is why nosebleeds are most often here. Also, this area, even with minimal trauma to the nose, gives strong pain.
If we talk about the differences in this part of the olfactory organ in different people, then in adults it may differ in shape (which is affected by trauma, pathology, and heredity), and in adults and children - in structure.
The nose is formed up to about 15 years, although according to the statistics of researchers, the nose "mature" and grows with a person throughout life.
Newborns have a different nose than adults. The outer part is quite small, although it consists of the same departments. But at the same time, it is just beginning to develop, and therefore often the children of this period instantly pick up all kinds of inflammation and pathogens.
The olfactory organ in children cannot perform the same functions as in adults, in full. The ability to warm the air develops at about 5 years of age. Therefore, even with a frost of -5 - -10 degrees, the tip of the nose in children quickly freezes.
In the picture, a diagram of the structure of the human nasal cavity
Anatomy of the nasal cavity
The physiology and anatomy of the nose primarily implies the internal structure, in which vital processes take place. The cavity of the organ has its own boundaries, which are formed by the bones of the skull, the oral cavity, and the eye sockets. Consists of the following parts:
- Nostrils, which are the entrance gates;
- Choan - two holes in the back of the internal cavity that lead to the upper half of the pharynx;
- The septum consists of cranial bones with a cartilaginous plate, which forms the nasal passages;
- The nasal passages, in turn, consist of walls: upper, medial inner, lateral outer, and also formed by the maxillary bones.
If we talk about the departments of this area, then they can be conditionally divided into lower, middle, upper with the corresponding respiratory passages. The upper passages go to the frontal sinuses, the lower passes the lacrimal secret into the cavity. The middle one leads to the maxillary sinuses. The nose itself is:
- Vestibules - zones of epithelial cells within the wings of the nose with a large number of hairs;
- The respiratory zone is responsible for the production of mucus to humidify and purify the air from pollution;
- The olfactory region helps to distinguish odors due to the content of the corresponding receptors and olfactory cilia in the tissues.
In children, the internal structure as a whole is similar to an adult, but at the same time it is located quite densely due to the underdevelopment of the department. That is why this department gives frequent complications in the form.
The passages near the nose are narrow, and the structure of the mucosa is characterized by a large amount of circulatory network, which provokes almost instant swelling under the influence of hypothermia, a pathogen or an allergen.
Simple and accessible about the structure of the nasal cavity in our video:
The structure of the paranasal sinuses
The sinuses are an additional device for air ventilation, which are also lined with mucous surfaces and are a natural extension of the nasal passage system. The department consists of:
- The maxillary sinuses are the largest section of this type with a wide opening that the mucous membrane closes, leaving only a small gap. It is precisely because of the peculiarities of such a structure that all kinds of infectious lesions of this department often develop with the difficult removal of “waste products”. They are located on the sides of the nose in the area of the cheeks under the eyes.
- The frontal sinus is located in the area above the eyebrows just above the bridge of the nose.
- The third largest section is the cells of the ethmoid bone.
- The sphenoid sinus is the smallest.
Each department can affect a certain disease, which receives the appropriate name. In general, the pathology of this part of the nose is called sinusitis.
The paranasal sinuses are extremely important in the structure of the nose, as they finally warm and moisten the air flow from outside, and also organize the sense of smell. Free cavities reduce the weight of the skull, reducing the load on the spine. When injured, they allow you to soften the force of impact, and also participate in the formation of the timbre of the voice.
A child at birth has formed cells of the ethmoid labyrinth and the beginnings of the maxillary sinuses. Gradually, the structure of the labyrinth changes, increasing in volume. The maxillary cavities are finally formed only by the age of 12. The frontal and sphenoid sinuses begin to develop only from 3-5 years.
Visual video with diagrams of the structure and location of the paranasal sinuses:
Common pathologies and diseases
External nose
Given the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the nose, each department can affect its own spectrum of diseases and injuries. For the outdoor department, this is:
- erysipelas;
- Burns and injuries;
- Anomalies of development;
- Eczema;
- Sycosis of the vestibule of the nose;
- and rosacea.
Nasopharynx
The inside of the nose, in turn, can be affected by the following pathologies.
When the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, neoplasms often appear on it, they are called polyps. What are nasal polyps? This is a common chronic disease. It causes reshaping of the nasal mucosa.
What it is
These are formations that occur as a result of swelling and growth of areas of the nasal mucosa, which are organic. You can see from the photo that the surface is smooth. They are in a gelatinous state. Maybe one or more polyps. Education has the property of reproduction.
They can be dangerous. Sometimes polyps become too large and cover the nasopharynx. Then you need to visit a doctor.
Types of polyps
They differ in the place of their formation and are divided into 2 groups:
- Ethmoidal - these affect both sides of the nasal cavity at once. Often seen in adults.
- Antrochoanal - one side is overgrown with them. They develop most often in children.
Causes of polyps in the nasal cavity
The main reason is long-term damage to the nasal membrane caused by chronic inflammation. It occurs for the following reasons:
- Infections or colds that cause rhinitis;
- Chronic rhinitis;
- allergic rhinitis;
- Chronic type infection that concerns the sinuses;
- Diseases: bronchial asthma, aspirin intolerance, cystic fibrosis, etc.
What affects the rate of formation and development of polyps
- Severe curvature of the nasal septum, which makes it difficult to breathe;
- Weak immunity;
- Hypersensitivity to standard stimuli;
- Chronic infection in the nose;
- Hypothermia or a sharp change in climate;
- Smoking;
- Constant stress;
- Genetics, that is, there is a predisposition to this formation.
Symptoms
Photo of a polyp in the nose of an adult in an obstructive form of manifestation.
The location of the polyps is the top of the nasal cavity. There they spread and gradually move down. The larger they become and their number increases, the more difficult it becomes for a person to breathe. Gradually, the following symptoms appear:
- Nasal discharge, frothy type;
- Constant stuffiness in the nose;
- Hearing worsens;
- Voice changes.
The last two symptoms mean that the blood supply to the tissues has deteriorated, thereby increasing the sensitivity to infections. This means that there are already a lot of polyps and their sizes are quite large.
How does a polyp develop?
Photo of the manifestation of a polyp in the nose in severe form.
First of all, the nasal mucosa comes into defense. Immunity is turned on, which provokes tissue damage due to the release of active substances of a biological nature. This leads to desquamation of the surface epithelium of the nasal cavity. Microorganisms, as well as allergens, get on it and multiply.
If the immunity is sufficient, the prevention of acute respiratory infections is carried out and the treatment and treatment is carried out in the first 7-10 days, then recovery occurs by itself. The mucosa regains its normal appearance through regeneration.
Chronic inflammation is characterized by the fact that it is permanent. The mucosa is constantly exposed to irritation and restoration.
The protection of the mucosa begins to decrease and regeneration leads to the formation of diseases: the mucosa grows and becomes visible upon examination.
There comes a manifestation of a polyp in the nasal cavity.
Polyps in the nose of a child: causes
Children with these factors are at risk of getting polyps.
Signs of polyps in infants
Babies by their very appearance can give out that they are sick. They will have an open mouth, a drooping jaw, or flattened nasolabial folds. If nothing is done, then the face may change, and in severe cases, even the chest may suffer. For such children, polyps have a negative impact. They do not allow to eat and sleep normally.
older children
In a child, polyps cause headaches, because they affect the circulatory system. Polyposis also has a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract, appetite decreases. If a child often has a cold, this is also a symptom.
How to treat nasal polyps
Treatment is prescribed based on the factors that contributed to their formation. Alas, the cause is often unknown. Even if polyps appear due to an allergy, there is no guarantee that when it is eliminated, they will disappear.
The treatment of polyps begins with the removal of inflammation. This is done with medicines:
- oral and topical nasal corticosteroids;
- antihistamine (antiallergic) agents;
- decongestants;
- cromoglycates (sodium cromoglin).
The complex of treatment consists of immunotherapy, and if necessary, antibiotics are used.
Should they be removed? If such treatment is useless, then an operation is performed. It allows you to eliminate all polyps at once. But there is no guarantee that after a while they will not appear again. For greater efficiency, alternative treatment is used.
Sometimes herbal medicine cures many diseases. With polyps, traditional medicine has limitations. Doctors do not believe her at all, preferring her last. But it happens that only a surgeon with a scalpel can cope with this.
But it's worth a try. Rinse the nose with herbal decoctions, and also drip and smear the nose with herbal remedies.
The most prominent part of the face is the nose, which performs certain functions in the body. The structure of the nose is quite complex, and this explains the severe course of some diseases of the upper respiratory system.
The anatomical features of the nose help to understand how inflammatory reactions develop and what changes they cause in the body.
General structure of the nose
A person sees in the mirror only the outer nose, which has a different external shape, but the same structure inside.
In addition to this part, there are internal - actually nasal cavity and paranasal or paranasal sinuses. All together, these structures perform several important functions, and their relationship with each other leads to the fact that the pathology of one area will certainly affect the neighboring departments.
Anatomy of the external nose
The shape of the entire outer nose and its inner part is formed by bones, cartilage and soft tissue. Distinguish:
- Bridge of the nose or root of the nose. This external section is located between the eyebrows. The bridge of the nose can be either wide or narrow.
- bridge of the nose. It is formed by two converging side surfaces.
- Side surfaces, which in turn pass into the wings and form the right and left nostrils.
- Top or tip of the nose. This is the place between the nostrils, that is, where the back begins.
The final formation of the shape of the visible part of the nose occurs by about 15 years, but it is believed that the nose may slightly increase in size throughout a person's life.
The soft tissues of the nose are supplied with muscles. Some muscles provide the performance of a facial function, which occurs when a person sniffs smells, sneezes. There is a muscle responsible for the narrowing of the nasal cavity, the expansion of the nostrils. Muscle contraction occurs both voluntarily and on purpose.
Anatomical features of the nasal cavity
The nasal cavity begins with the vestibule, this is the part of the organ located directly next to the nostrils. The internal nose is limited from the inside by the bones of the skull, at the top by the eye sockets and at the bottom by the oral cavity. Behind the nasal cavity has openings communicating with the upper part of the pharynx.
The division of the inner nose into two halves occurs due to the septum. It is not always located strictly in the middle, a slight deviation to the right or left side is considered a variant of the norm. But if the septum is strongly curved, then the respiratory function is noticeably impaired. Abnormal curvature may be a pathology of the development of the facial bones or injury.
Each half of the inner nose has walls:
- The inner or medial wall is the nasal septum, that is, its bones and cartilage.
- The outer or lateral wall is formed by the nasal bone, part of the upper jaw, lacrimal, palatine bone and a small part of the ethmoid bone.
- The upper wall is formed by the sigmoid plate of the ethmoid bone. It has openings designed for the passage of the olfactory nerve.
- The lower wall is formed by the process of the palatine bone and part of the upper jaw.
On the bone part of the lateral wall there are shells - upper, middle and lower. Conventionally, the nasal cavity along the lateral edge of the middle of the shells is divided into two parts, they are designated as olfactory and respiratory.
The respiratory part of the internal nose begins with its vestibule. The mucous wall of this zone is supplied with hair follicles and, accordingly, hairs, sweat and sebaceous glands. The vestibule zone is followed by a mucous membrane lined with ciliated epithelium. This part of the nasal cavity is supplied with mucous glands that continuously produce mucus.
Mucus is necessary for the nasal passages to disinfect bacteria and other pathogens of the respiratory tract that enter with the air. The olfactory zone is lined with a different type of epithelium, which has receptors that allow you to distinguish odors.
In the area where the shells are located, there are fistulas that connect the cavity of the internal nose with the paranasal sinuses.
Paranasal sinuses: features and functions
The sinuses are located on the sides of the nose, from above, in depth. The sinus cavities are surrounded by those organs that perform vital functions for a person, so sinus diseases always pose a certain danger.
- The maxillary or maxillary sinus is located on the side of the wings of the nose and below the eyes. It has the largest volume of the cavity, and its inflammation often develops due to the proximity of the teeth of the upper jaw.
- The frontal paired sinuses are located above the superciliary arches. The sinuses are separated by a thin septum, sometimes it has a hole. The frontal sinus in a person can either be completely absent or occupy a significant space.
- The ethmoid sinuses in their structure are represented by a bony labyrinth. The labyrinth is located in the unpaired ethmoid bone.
- The main or sphenoid sinus is one and it is located in the body of the sphenoid bone. This sinus is located deep and adjacent to the brain, carotid artery, ophthalmic and trigeminal nerves.
The human nose, together with the paranasal sinuses, performs several functions at once. This is a protective, respiratory cavity of the nose and sinuses involved in the formation of voice, olfactory receptors allow you to capture odors. All this affects the general well-being of a person and his perception of the world.
Anatomy of the nose: photo
The human nose is a sensory and respiratory organ that performs a number of important functions related to providing tissues with oxygen, speech formation, odor recognition and protecting the body from negative external factors. Next, we will take a closer look at the structure of the human nose and answer the question of what the nose is for.
General structure and functions
It is a unique part of the human body. In nature, there are no living creatures with such a construction of the nose. Even the closest relatives of people - monkeys - are very different both in appearance and internal structure, and in the principles of its work. Many scientists associate the way the nose is arranged, and the features of the development of the sense organ with upright posture and the development of speech.
The external nose can vary quite a lot depending on gender, race, age, and individual characteristics. As a rule, in women it has a smaller size, but wider than in men.
In groups of European peoples, leptorinia (a narrow and high sense organ) is more often observed, in representatives of the Negroid race, indigenous Australians and Melanesians, hamerinia (wider). However, the internal anatomy and physiology of the nose is the same in all people.
The human nose is the initial section of the upper respiratory system. It consists of three main segments:
- nasal cavity;
- outdoor area;
- adnexal voids communicating with the cavity through thin channels.
The most important functions of the nose, which give an answer to the question of why a person needs a nose:
The structure of the outer part
The external nose is located on the outer part of the face, is clearly visible and looks like a trihedral irregular pyramid. Its shape is created by bone, soft and cartilaginous tissues.
The bone section (back, root) is formed by paired nasal bones, which are connected to the nasal processes of the frontal bone and the frontal processes of the upper jaw adjacent to the side. It creates a fixed bone skeleton, to which a mobile cartilaginous section is attached, the components of which are:
- The paired lateral cartilage (cartilago nasi lateralis) has the shape of a triangle, takes part in the creation of the wing and back. With its posterior edge, it adjoins the beginning of the nasal bone (a hump is often formed there), with its inner edge it fuses with the cartilage of the opposite side of the same name, and with its lower edge - to the nasal septum.
- Paired large cartilage of the wing (cartilago alaris major), surrounds the entrance to the nostrils. It is divided into lateral (crus laterale) and medial (crus mediale) legs. The medial ones separate the nostrils and form the tip of the nose, the lateral ones, longer and wider, form the structure of the nasal wings and are supplemented by 2-3 more small cartilages in the back sections of the wings.
All cartilages are connected to the bones and to each other by fibrous tissue and are covered by the perichondrium.
The external nose has mimic muscles located in the region of the wings, with the help of which people can narrow and widen the nostrils, raise and lower the tip of the nose. From above, it is covered with skin, in which there are many sebaceous glands and hairs, nerve endings and capillaries. Blood supply is carried out from the systems of the internal and external carotid arteries through the external and internal maxillary arteries. The lymphatic system is focused on the submandibular and parotid lymph nodes. Innervation - from the facial and 2 and 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve.
Due to its prominent location, the external nose is most often corrected by plastic surgeons, to whom people turn to in the hope of getting the desired result.
Correction can be carried out to align the hump at the junction of bone and cartilage, however, the main object of rhinoplasty is the tip of the nose. The operation in clinics can be performed both according to medical requirements and at the request of a person.
Common reasons for rhinoplasty:
- change in the shape of the top of the sense organ;
- reduction in the size of the nostrils;
- congenital defects and consequences of injuries;
- deviated septum and asymmetrical tip of the nose;
- violation of nasal breathing due to deformity.
It is also possible to correct the tip of the nose without surgery, using special Aptos threads or fillers based on hyaluronic acid, which are injected subcutaneously.
Anatomy of the nasal cavity
The nasal cavity is the initial segment of the upper respiratory tract. Anatomically located between the oral cavity, the anterior cranial fossa and the orbits. In the anterior part it goes to the surface of the face through the nostrils, in the posterior part - to the pharyngeal region through the choanae. Its inner walls are formed by bones, it is separated from the mouth by a hard and soft palate, and is divided into three segments:
- vestibule;
- respiratory area;
- olfactory area.
The cavity opens with a vestibule located next to the nostrils. From the inside, the vestibule is covered with a strip of skin 4-5 mm wide, equipped with numerous hairs (there are especially many of them in older men). Hairs are a barrier to dust, but often cause boils due to the presence of staphylococci in the bulbs.
The internal nose is an organ divided into two symmetrical halves by a bone and cartilage plate (septum), which is often curved (especially in men). Such a curvature is within the normal range, if it does not interfere with normal breathing, otherwise it has to be corrected surgically.
Each half has four walls:
- medial (internal) is a septum;
- lateral (external) - the most difficult. It consists of a number of bones (palatine, nasal, lacrimal, maxillary);
- upper - sigmoid plate of the ethmoid bone with holes for the olfactory nerve;
- lower - part of the upper jaw and the process of the palatine bone.
There are three shells on the bone component of the outer wall on each side: upper, middle (on the ethmoid bone) and lower (independent bone). In accordance with the scheme of shells, nasal passages are also distinguished:
- Lower - between the bottom and the lower sink. Here is the exit of the lacrimal canal, through which the eye secretions drain into the cavity.
- Middle - between the lower and middle shells. In the region of the lunar fissure, first described by M.I. Pirogov, the outlet openings of most accessory chambers open into it;
- Upper - between the middle and upper shells, located behind.
In addition, there is a common course - a narrow gap between the free edges of all the shells and the septum. The passages are long and winding.
The respiratory region is lined with a mucous membrane consisting of secretory goblet cells. Mucus has antiseptic properties and inhibits the activity of microbes; in the presence of a large number of pathogens, the volume of secreted secretion also increases. From above, the mucous membrane is covered with a cylindrical multi-row ciliated epithelium with miniature cilia. The cilia constantly move (flicker) towards the choanae and beyond the nasopharynx, which allows the removal of mucus with associated bacteria and foreign particles. If there is too much mucus and the cilia do not have time to evacuate it, then a runny nose (rhinitis) develops.
Under the mucosa is a tissue penetrated by a plexus of blood vessels. This makes it possible, by instantaneous swelling of the mucosa and narrowing of the passages, to protect the sense organ from stimuli (chemical, physical and psychogenic).
The olfactory region is located in the upper part. It is lined with epithelium, which contains receptor cells responsible for smell. Cells are spindle shaped. At one end they come to the surface of the membrane with vesicles with cilia, and at the other end they pass into the nerve fiber. The fibers are woven into bundles, forming the olfactory nerves. Fragrant substances through mucus interact with receptors, excite nerve endings, after which the signal enters the brain, where smells differ. A few molecules of the substance are enough to excite the receptors. A person is able to feel up to 10 thousand smells.
The structure of the paranasal sinuses
The anatomy of the human nose is complex and includes not only the sense organ itself, but also the voids (sinuses) that surround it, and with which it is in close interaction, connecting with the help of channels (acoustia). The paranasal sinus system includes:
- wedge-shaped (main);
- maxillary (maxillary);
- frontal (frontal);
- cells of the ethmoid labyrinth.
The maxillary sinuses are the largest of all, their volume can reach 30 cubic centimeters. The chambers are located on the upper jaw between the teeth and the lower part of the orbits, they consist of five walls:
- The nasal is a bone plate that smoothly passes into the mucous membrane. The hole connecting with the nasal passage is located in its corner part. With a difficult outflow of secretions, an inflammatory process develops, called sinusitis.
- The facial one is palpable, the densest, covered with cheek tissues. Located in the canine fossa of the jaw.
- The orbital is the thinnest, it has a plexus of veins and an infraorbital nerve, through which the infection can pass to the eyes and the brain membrane.
- The posterior one goes to the maxillary nerve and maxillary artery, as well as the pterygopalatine node.
- The lower one adjoins the oral cavity, the roots of the teeth can protrude into it.
The frontal sinuses are located in the thickness of the frontal bone, between its anterior and posterior walls.
In newborns, it is absent, it begins to form from the age of 3, the process usually continues until the end of a person's sexual development. Approximately 5% of people have no frontal voids at all. The sinuses are made up of 4 walls:
- Orbital. Adjacent to the orbit, it has a long narrow connecting canal, with swelling of which frontitis develops.
- Facial - part of the frontal bone up to 8 mm thick.
- The medulla is adjacent to the dura mater and the anterior cranial fossa.
- The inner one divides the void into two chambers, often unequal.
The sphenoid sinus is located deep in the thickness of the bone of the same name, is divided by a septum into two parts of different sizes, each of which is independently connected to the upper course.
Like, and frontal voids, it is formed in children from the age of three and develops up to 25 years. This sinus is in contact with the cranial base, carotid arteries, optic nerves and pituitary gland, which can lead to serious inflammation. However, diseases of the sphenoid sinus are very rare.
The ethmoid sinus (labyrinth) consists of interconnected individual cells of the ethmoid bone, arranged in a row, 5-15 pieces on each side. Depending on the depth of the location, internal (go to the upper course), middle and front (connect to the middle course) are distinguished.
Pathological formations that occur in the mucous membrane are called polyps. They cause a lot of trouble and can lead to undesirable consequences, especially with the appearance of polyps in the nose. Therefore, timely detection of their occurrence and treatment are necessary. The mechanism of occurrence and development of polyps in the nose is still not exactly known, there are only assumptions. It is necessary to distinguish between nasal polyps and formations in other organs. If multiple growths of the epithelium are observed, such a manifestation is called polyposis. Common causes of this pathology lie in the constant inflammatory reactions of the mucous membrane. Currently, conservative treatment without removal and surgical intervention with endoscopic techniques are possible.
Nasal polyps in children and adults are a benign tumor that has formed from the mucous membrane and is actually an overgrown tissue of small areas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. It is conditionally possible to distinguish three stages of development of polyps. The first stage is characterized by the closure of the upper part of the nasal septum by polyps. In the second stage, a significant part of the nasal septum is blocked. The third, most severe stage is characterized by a condition when polyps cover the entire nasal cavity, and breathing through the nose becomes impossible. Look at the symptoms of nasal polyps in the photo - the characteristic difficulty in breathing and slight swelling are shown:
Causes of nasal polyps
Modern medicine cannot name the exact and unambiguous cause of the appearance of polyps in the nose, which could help develop effective preventive measures. However, there is a hypothesis according to which one of the causes of polyps is infectious diseases. Many doctors consider another equally important cause of nasal polyps to be allergic reactions that occur in the body. But most often polyps occur in people with asthma that does not have an allergic nature, and various inflammatory processes in the nose and allergies have nothing to do with it, the same doctors say.
Nevertheless, a number of diseases can be distinguished, due to which nasal growths most often occur in a person.
- Allergic diseases such as: bronchial asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis and others.
- Chronic inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses, such as frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, sinusitis, etc.
- Violation of the anatomical features of the nose: curvature of the nasal septum, narrow nasal passages, etc.
Nasal polyps can appear as a result of nasal injuries of a different nature. Pathological changes in the immune system, chronic colds lead to the formation of growths on the mucous membrane. Intolerance to aspirin, salicylic acid and drugs based on them can lead to polyposis.
Symptoms of polyps
Symptoms of the appearance of polyps in the nose at an early stage are practically absent. Small nasal growths may well develop without causing discomfort. It is especially difficult to diagnose polyps located deep in the sinuses. Polyps of a significant size can cause symptoms such as headache, weakness, nasal congestion, loss of smell, snoring, copious discharge from the nose. As the polyps grow, there is difficulty in shortness of breath, up to the need to breathe through the mouth. Loss of smell occurs due to polyps overlapping the areas responsible for smell, and if the treatment is delayed, then the sense of smell can be lost forever.
The very first and main symptoms of nasal polyps in a child include difficulty breathing through the nose, loss of smell and inflammation of the mucous membrane. Sometimes there may be an additional infection, headaches caused by the pressure of the overgrown mass on the nerve endings. The sensation of a foreign body in the nasopharynx is the cause of the frequent urge to sneeze in humans.
Nasal polyps can be unilateral or bilateral. The latter formations can develop in areas on both sides of the ethmoid bone, between the palatine and frontal parts. In adults, polyps often develop on both sides and are called ethmoidal. Unilateral outgrowths or antrochoanal, form in the maxillary sinus and are the least common disease. Most often, such polyps can be observed in young patients. They protrude into the lumen of the nasopharyngeal cavity and restrict air access.
Diagnosis of polyps in the nose
To identify nasal polyps, you need a correct and accurate diagnosis. In appearance, they are very similar to tumor formations, therefore, a particularly thorough diagnosis of nasal polyps should be carried out with single formations. If the shape of the formations is incorrect, painful sensations and bleeding occur, they are one-sided - an urgent medical examination is necessary. Such symptoms characterize the appearance of an intranasal tumor.
Directly involved in the examination and diagnosis of the respiratory tract of the nose - ENT. Breathing discomfort, irritation and sensation of a foreign body in the nose, a reason for an external examination of the nasopharynx by a doctor. For an effective examination and determination of the presence of polyps, in cavities inaccessible to visual inspection, an X-ray examination is prescribed. This will help to establish the stage of the disease, determine the number of neoplasms in the nasal cavity and prescribe an effective treatment.
It is not worth postponing the examination and treatment of polyps for later, so you will avoid their further growth and complete obstruction of the airways of the nose. In addition, it is very important to diagnose nasal polyps at the first stage, if this is not done immediately, complications will appear and then surgical intervention is indispensable.
How to get rid of polyps in the nose (treatment and removal)
Determination of the type of treatment is made after receiving the results of the examination, which should be carried out by a qualified specialist. There are several types of primary treatment: official with the help of medicines, surgical (removal of polyps in the nose with a laser, using endoscopy and other methods) and using homeopathic remedies, although official medicine considers this method fraudulent and warns against such therapy. Consider the most common and effective ways to get rid of polyps in the nose, what treatment can be used for this disease.
Removal of polyps with medication
Removal of polyps with medication is based on the use of nasal steroids. Produced in the form of aerosols, they easily penetrate the nasal cavity and have a therapeutic effect. Their effectiveness is confirmed by the results of treatment, with small forms of polyposis, drugs reduce their size and lead to a complete cure. Stronger drugs are available by prescription, they will be prescribed to the patient if necessary, after the results of the examination by the doctor.
The most common drugs in this group include Nasonex, Fluticasone, Beclomethasone. Release form - in the form of drops for the nose or aerosols. Many people use these remedies in the treatment of allergies. You can buy them at a regular pharmacy. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor on an individual basis until the symptoms disappear completely. Usually the duration of drug therapy is from two to six weeks. It all depends on the form of the disease and at what stage of the disease therapy was started.
Concomitant drugs for treatment will be antibiotics taken orally. Medicines will relieve inflammation, help to avoid the formation of an additional infection. A good medicine to reduce swelling and inflammation is Prednisone, Nisolone, Prednisolone and their analogues from the group of glucocorticosteroids. In the United States, since 2005, polyps have been treated with a nasal allergy medicine called Mometasone Fuorate. This substance is available in Nasonex nasal spray.
Treatment with folk remedies
Self-treatment of polyps with home and folk remedies, without examination and consultation with a doctor, is unacceptable, although it is possible to treat polyps in the nose without surgery at home. The effectiveness of such therapy will be only if the polyps are single and small in size, and only at the initial stage of development.
Among all drugs for the treatment of folk remedies that have an effect in getting rid of polyps, celandine is widely used in the form of tinctures, propolis helps well, but only for inhalation by inhalation.
Polyp removal methods
With the ineffectiveness of treatment with drugs, a large number of polyps and their size, surgical treatment or removal of polyps is prescribed. They are removed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia, the operation time can last from 40 minutes to an hour. Everything will depend on the type of surgery. The development of technology and the improvement of treatment methods have led to the emergence of effective and painless methods for removing polyps.
Conventional polypotomy
The procedure for conventional polypotomy is carried out as follows. With the help of a special tool, polyps are cut off under the influence of an anesthetic drug. An instrument in the form of a loop or hook cuts off the formations, while bleeding is small. The method is very well-known, it has been used for decades in domestic medicine. The patient can stay in the hospital for up to 7 days for postoperative control and prevention of complications in the patient. The wounds heal completely after removal in three weeks. This type of treatment is not recommended for people with poor blood clotting.
Removal procedure by endoscopy
If the area is large, polyps may be recommended for removal by endoscopy. Literally, this means an overview of the internal organs, an improved method allows this to be done using a mini-camera and fiber optics. A tool equipped with such a device will help the doctor accurately see all the tumors being removed, size and location. The operation is performed with the use of local anesthetics. The patient may be under the supervision of a doctor after the removal of nasal polyps by endoscopic surgery in a hospital, but is discharged home after a week.
Removal of polyps with a shaver
The method of grinding polyps and their absorption with special equipment by a shaver is carried out under anesthesia. Local or general - this will be determined by the doctor. The entire operation is displayed on the monitor screen and controlled by the surgeon. A special device, a rhinoscopic shaver, is inserted into the nasopharynx directly to the site of polyp formation. The cutting part, designed in a safe and protective casing, prevents accidental tissue damage. The polyp is crushed selectively without incisions, suction and removal of particles occurs through the internal cavity.
The impact on the patient when removing polyps with a shaver is the most gentle. Additionally, the doctor can correct tissue defects in the nasopharynx or anatomical abnormalities. After such removal, the appearance of relapses was not observed. To improve treatment and prevent the recurrence of polyps, the use of steroid drugs may be prescribed.
Using a laser to remove polyps
The use of a laser to remove polyps is an effective way, without subsequent postoperative follow-up in the clinic. In other words, this is a laser operation. Such operations are performed on an outpatient basis, the patient does not need to go to the clinic and stop working. The area of the operation is anesthetized, the device is inserted into the cavity of the nasopharynx, the entire procedure is displayed on the screen using a television camera. Due to the peculiarities of the temperature effect of the laser, cauterization of tissues is performed and bleeding of wounds is reduced, the possibility of injury to the nasopharynx during this procedure is reduced.
All this characterizes this method well and allows it to be used for the treatment of children. It is very convenient and lasts no more than an hour. After the polyps in the nose are removed, you will have to visit a doctor to control the healing process, be sure to follow all the prescriptions and recommendations. The risk of infection after laser surgery is minimal. The disadvantage of this method can be considered limited access to the sinuses.
Before surgical treatment, nasal lavage with warm saline is used. The procedure helps to clear the nose, improves visual control and facilitates the operation. In the future, such a tool can be used to strengthen the respiratory tract of the nasal cavity. The ratio of water and salts of chloride and calcium bicarbonate per glass is no more than a teaspoon. You can rinse your nose with a regular pharmacy pipette, this will prevent the possible appearance of polyps in the nose after surgery and will have a beneficial effect on the nasal mucosa.
Prevention
In order to prevent the formation of polyps in the nasal cavity, one should lead a healthy lifestyle, harden the body, avoid infections and viruses, monitor weight, and eat right. It is recommended to regularly cleanse the intestines and liver.
After removing nasal polyps in order to prevent relapses, it is recommended to eliminate the effects of nasal irritants, get rid of bad habits, and prevent colds. It is also important to comply with hygiene requirements, to humidify the air in a room in which a person often stays. Regular rinsing of the sinuses with saline will also have a positive effect on the condition of the nasal passages.