NASAL POLYPOSIS:

DEFINITION:

Nasal polyp is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology and occurs as an apparent new growth
It is defined as a prolapsed , edematous, pediculated nasal mucosa, which may arise from the sinuses or the nasal cavity

CLINICAL TYPES:
The polyp is divided into the following types:

COMMON:

– Ethmoidal
– Antro choanal

RARE:

– Spheno choanal
– True choanal

ETHMOIDAL POLYP: it arises from the multiple air cells of the ethmoidal labyrinth
They present as multiple grape like masses, which can be best seen on the anterior rhinoscopic examination

ETIOLOGY:
Exact etiology of nasal poly is not known and precise mechanism in the formation of polyp is incompletely understood
Causation of the nasal polyp appears to be multi factorial

PATHOLOGY:

The nasal polyp may be multiple or solitary
The nasal polyps are found to commonly arise from the mucosa of the ostia, clefts,and recesses in the ostiomeatal complex
The pathological changes are:

– Round cell infiltration of the sub mucosa
– Edema of the lamina propria
– Bulging of the mucosa
– Prolapse of the mucosa, giving the rise to the nasal polyp
– Long standing polyps leads to the cystic degeneration with fibrosis

CLINICAL FEATURES:

SYMPTOMS:

– Nasal obstruction: often bilateral ,may be partial or complete
– Hyposmia or anosmia
– Nasal discharge is usually mucoid in nature
– Hawking sensation due to post nasal discharge
– Altered or reduced sensation of the taste
– Symptoms of nasal allergy such as sneezings, itchy nose, watery rhinorrhoea may be present
– Broadening of the nose in the long standing cases
– Head ache due to secondary sinusitis
– May be associated with itchy throat, hoarseness , cough, wheezings etc due to associated pharyngitis
– Hyponasal voice
– Snoring and sleep apnoea may be present

SIGNS:

Widening of the intercanthal distance giving the frog face appearance
Signs of allergic rhinitis

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:

– Congenital conditions like mennigocele,
– menngo encephalocele,
– glioma

INVESTIGATIONS:

1. Diagnostic nasal endowcopy
2. X-RAY PNS
3. CT scan of ostio meatal complex
4. Allergy tests
5. Nasal swab for fungal cultures
6. Biopsy to rule out any neoplasms or granular growths

HOMOEOPATHIC APROACH:

ALLIUM CEPA:

Nasal polyps of the left sided especially
There is frequent attacks of the cold
Acrid nasal discharge with blond discharge from the eyes
Sneezings worse in the warm room
It is associated with head ache

CALCAREA CARB:

Suited especially to the children
The patient is fat and flabby
Frequent attacks of cold
catches cold easily, with mucoidal discharge
there is itching of the nose and hawking due to post nasal drip
patient is very sensitive and fears of crowds
used as constitutional medicine

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS:

Nasal polyps of the left sided are usually treated with this remedy
There is severe itching of the polyp
Rawness and soreness sensation in the nose
Yellowish thick discharge from the nose
Sensation of obstruction of both the nostrils

TEUCRUM MARUM VERUM:

This remedy is suitable to polypus of the both the sides
Easily cathches cold with thin mucoidal discharge
There are frequent sneezings with sore throat
Polyps are congested and raw
Obstruction of the nose worse in the night
And better by sitting up erect

Author Bio: Dr Guptha associated with ICD10 Certification and Dr Guptha associated with ICD10 implementation

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: icd10, training, certification