DIY Solutions for Comfort
Nasal polyps, non-cancerous growths in the nasal passages, can lead to discomfort and breathing difficulties; however, discovering effective relief strategies is crucial for enhancing quality of life and promoting nasal health. This article will explore nasal polyps, looking at the best home remedies, along with the signs and treatment options like Valtoco, a medication used for the acute treatment of seizure clusters, also known as acute repetitive seizures (ARS), in patients with epilepsy. It is an FDA-approved nasal spray formulation of diazepam, a benzodiazepine medication commonly used to treat seizures.
Signs of Nasal Polyps
- Persistent nasal congestion.
- Reduced or loss of sense of smell (anosmia).
- Runny nose.
- Postnasal drip.
- Facial pain or pressure.
- Snoring or sleep apnea.
- Itchy or watery eyes.
- Headaches.
- Frequent sinus infections.
- Prolonged cold symptoms.
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What are Nasal Polyps?
Not to worry, nasal polyps are noncancerous. However, the symptoms associated with nasal polyps can be a minor annoyance or highly troublesome. The most challenging symptom I experience is difficulty breathing throughout my nose; others often notice a decrease in their senses of smell and taste.
Add to these symptoms a constantly drippy, runny nose, pain and pressure around the sinuses, and it becomes readily apparent that treatment is needed. Nasal polyps are simply growths of tissue, often shaped like miniature raindrops, that may grow on the delicate lining inside our nose and sinuses, but they can cause a great deal of discomfort.
What can my Doctor do to Provide Relief?
However, there are many medical interventions and easy home remedies that you can try today to ease the symptoms of your nasal polyps. A cure for nasal polyps is possible, but they can appear again uninvited even after successful treatment. The medical treatment for nasal polyps begins simply enough with a prescribed nasal spray containing corticosteroids which act to shrink and remove the pesky polyps.
If this is unsuccessful, your doctor may recommend an oral corticosteroid or the surgical removal of the polyps. Your healthcare provider is your first line of defense against nasal polyps, congestion and other associated symptoms. But if your symptoms are mild and your doctor approves, you should try these straightforward home treatments!
Finding Relief at Home with Water and a Few Other Ingredients
Maintaining crystal-clear nasal passages means easy breathing, and by embracing some simple home remedies, you can open your nasal airways today! Treating nasal polyps at home requires water and a few natural products; what could be easier? These natural remedies have been providing relief for sufferers for many years.
One of the fastest ways I find relief is steam inhalation; while a warm, gentle steam bath for your nose may ease your symptoms, it is not a cure for nasal polyps. Steam inhalation can be done in a hot shower, over a bowl of water or with a humidifier. All that is required is to inhale, through the nose, moist, clean, warm water!
Another simple and affordable at-home remedy is a saline rinse, which effectively rinses away debris and moisturizes the nasal passages. A saline rinse will help remove nasal irritants like dust, smoke and pollutants and aid in the healing of sensitive nasal tissues. You can purchase nasal saline rinses at most drugstores and pharmacies or make your own at home. According to the American Association of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, simply combine iodine and preservative-free salt, baking soda and lukewarm distilled or boiled water. Use a nasal bulb and gently squeeze the solution into each nasal cavity.
A humidifier is an excellent method of adding much-needed moisture to your dry home and your nasal cavity; a humidifier reduces inflammation and blockage that can lead to nasal polyps forming. Providing moist air to breathe is especially difficult in dry climates or areas with long extreme winters, like where I live.
Humidifiers act to keep the mucus in the nose and sinuses moist and moving, thereby preventing congestion. Just be sure that your humidifier is squeaky clean; a dirty humidifier or contaminated water can lead to infections and irritation. Follow all of the product’s recommended cleaning and maintenance instructions.
Plants, Spices and Other At-home Remedy Ingredients
My all-time favorite source of nasal relief is eucalyptus; its scent is lovely and has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, in addition to being nature’s decongestant. Try adding a few drops of essential eucalyptus oil to your steam inhalation, humidifier or hot shower. You may also want to dry dabbing one to two drops of essential eucalyptus oil on a cotton swab, then gently moisten the inner nose. A few drops in a hot bath or during your steam sauna will have you breathing easy!
While it's not for me, peppermint is another essential oil that can be added to your steam inhalation or to gently dab on your nasal passages. I find peppermint too zesty, but it may work wonders for you! I do love peppermint tea, which also provides the plant’s natural decongestant properties.
Turmeric is not just for cooking! Many find that the natural anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric ease their symptoms of nasal polyps and their associated congestion. To use turmeric for your nasal polyps, add a few teaspoons to your favorite savory dish or make turmeric tea. Like turmeric, many with nasal polyps or other nasal conditions regularly add ginger and garlic to their diets as they both have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may ease your nasal polyp symptoms.
Valtoco for Seizure Clusters
Valtoco is a nasal spray medication approved by the FDA to treat seizure clusters, which are also known as acute repetitive seizures (ARS), in people with epilepsy. It contains diazepam, a benzodiazepine commonly used for seizures.
Valtoco offers a simple and non-invasive way to give diazepam during seizure clusters. Caregivers or patients themselves can administer it quickly and easily. The medication is absorbed rapidly through the nasal lining, leading to faster effects compared to pills.
Natural Relief for Nasal Polyps
My nose is sensitive to scents, pressure and extreme temperatures. Like so many others, I am prone to nasal congestion, chronic sinusitis and airway infections. In addition to these annoying conditions, I also experience nasal polyps. While a runny nose may seem like a minor inconvenience, having constant congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose is undoubtedly a challenge.