Why Can Nasal Polyps Affect Your Sense of Smell?

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, benign (noncancerous) growths that can develop along the tissues of the nasal and sinus linings. Although nasal polyps are noncancerous, they can contribute to nasal obstruction, inflammation, and a reduced sense of smell, particularly when they become large or numerous.

Nasal polyps usually grow on both sides of the nose, individually or in clusters. They are typically teardrop-shaped, but can look more like peeled grapes when they grow larger.

Why Can Nasal Polyps Affect Your Sense of Smell?

There are two main reasons why nasal polyps can potentially affect your sense of smell:

• Nasal polyps physically block airflow to the part of the nose that detects scents and odors. This may interfere with how your smell receptors work, which can affect or decrease your sense of smell.

When nasal polyps grow to be large or develop in clusters, they obstruct the nasal passages. This can affect how odor molecules in the air reach the olfactory region, which is located high inside the nasal cavity. When the brain receives fewer odor signals due to the obstruction, it impacts your sense of smell.

• Chronic inflammation and swelling in the nasal and sinus tissues may interfere with olfactory function. This affects how your olfactory nerves receive scent and odor signals, and may contribute to a change in smell.

A change in smell can result from a variety of causes and factors. A sudden, unexplained, or persistent change in smell should warrant additional evaluation. A consultation with an ENT specialist can help assess your nasal passages and determine if nasal polyps or some other underlying condition may be contributing to changes in your sense of smell.

What Are the Common Signs of Nasal Polyps?

Symptoms of nasal polyps can vary from patient to patient. Typically, small, individual growths can cause little to no symptoms, while large or clustered growths can cause more noticeable symptoms, including:

• Breathing difficulties through the nose
• Nasal congestion
• A runny nose
• Sinus pressure
• Headaches
• Mucus dripping down the back of the throat, or postnasal drip
• Loss of taste or smell
• Snoring, due to blocked airways

Nasal polyps may also be associated with other conditions or contribute to symptoms such as:

• Recurring sinus infections
• Frequent asthma attacks, for individuals with asthma
• Snoring, sleep apnea, or other sleep-related breathing problems

What Causes Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are strongly linked to chronic swelling and inflammation in the tissues lining the nasal and sinus passages. However, healthcare professionals have yet to determine why some individuals develop nasal polyps while others don’t.

Some conditions may increase the risk of nasal polyps development, including:

• Allergies
• Chronic sinusitis
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis

What Are My Treatment Options for Nasal Polyps?

Treatment options and management strategies for nasal polyps can vary, depending on the severity of the symptoms, the size of the polyps, response to previous treatments, and other individual health factors.

Treatment options may include:

Medications

Some patients may find that standard medications can help reduce sinus inflammation and manage symptoms commonly associated with nasal polyps. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and individual health needs, common medications may include:

• Nasal sprays
• Oral steroids
• Biologic medications, such as dupilumab injections
• Antibiotics, which can be prescribed for infections

Surgery

Your care provider may start recommending surgery if standard medications and other forms of conservative treatments prove to be ineffective. Recommended procedures may include:

• Polypectomy: Polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses surgical instruments such as surgical scissors or snares to grab onto and remove nasal polyps.
• Balloon sinuplasty: Balloon sinuplasty does not remove nasal polyps. However, for selected patients who also have sinus drainage problems, an ENT may consider balloon dilation as part of a broader treatment plan. During the procedure, a small balloon catheter is guided into a sinus opening and gently inflated to widen the drainage pathway. When clinically appropriate, a separate polyp removal procedure may also be recommended.
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): An FESS procedure uses small instruments to remove nasal polyps, diseased tissue, damaged bone, or anything that may be obstructing and blocking the nasal and sinus passages.

Nasal polyps can recur after treatment, including surgical removal, which is why ongoing medical management and follow-up appointments may be discussed and recommended depending on individual response to treatment and the underlying cause.

When Is It Time to See an ENT Specialist for Nasal Polyps?

You should consider scheduling an appointment with an ENT specialist for:

• Sinus symptoms that do not respond to appropriate home remedies
• Symptoms that recur or return frequently
• Sinus symptoms that interfere with sleep, work, and comfort
• Persistent nasal congestion or reduced sense of smell
• Postnasal drip that lasts for more than a few weeks
• Chronic throat clearing or coughing

Seek prompt medical help for:

• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Frequent nosebleeds or a bloody nasal discharge
• Coughing up blood
• Significant pain or difficulty when swallowing
• Swelling or pain around the eyes
• Vision changes
• Severe headaches
• Significant facial swelling or numbness
• Neck stiffness, confusion, or other neurological issues
• Persistent foul-smelling nasal discharge from only one side of the nose

Nasal polyps typically develop on both sides of the nose. Consider further evaluation by an ENT specialist if you are experiencing growth on only one side of the nose, causing persistent one-sided nasal obstruction.

Conclusion: When Nasal Polyps Start Affecting Your Sense of Smell

Nasal polyps are one of many potential contributing factors to changes in your smell. However, a decrease or loss of sense of smell does not always mean you have nasal polyps.

Schedule a consultation with Buckeye Breathe Free to learn more about your sinus issues and discuss potential treatment options and management strategies.

We provide ear, nose, and throat care services for patients in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.