Nasal polyps refer to growths in the nasal cavity or sinus. They are mostly non-cancerous but can lead to other health problems like breathing trouble and sleep apnea if they grow in size due to lack of treatment. Early diagnosis of nasal polyps can help provide timely treatment, and the following symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps can facilitate early detection:

Symptoms that affect the nose
One of the symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps is a runny nose. A very common symptom, a runny nose can also occur due to other reasons like a common cold, but if it is accompanied by other symptoms, one should approach a doctor for further analysis. The common symptoms of nasal polyps include:

• A runny nose.
• Postnasal drip, which occurs when mucus from the nose drips into the back of the throat.
• A stuffy nose with a feeling that there is something blocking the nose, which may be accompanied by nasal congestion.
• Sometimes, a person may experience difficulty breathing because of a feeling of obstruction in the nose. This can be a clear symptom and warning sign of nasal polyps.
• The presence of nasal polyps can affect the functioning of the nose. They can affect a person’s sense of smell and taste as they grow in size.

Sinus-related symptoms
A nasal polyp can develop in the sinus cavity, as a result of which a person experiences sinus-related problems. These are common warning signs that must be shown to a doctor.
When the sinuses are blocked by nasal polyps, it can cause pressure in the forehead or other parts of the face because of obstruction in the sinus. This may be felt as a dull ache, but it can be replaced with more severe pain if the polyp continues to grow.

Sleep-related symptoms
Since the nasal passage is affected by this condition, it affects breathing and can disturb a person’s sleep. Difficulty breathing during sleep may manifest in the form of snoring, which occurs due to nasal blockage.
If a person starts snoring loudly at once, it could be taken as a warning sign of nasal polyps. Some people may develop sleep apnea in severe cases of nasal polyps, where they get up at night gasping for breath.

Severe symptoms
Some of the severe symptoms experienced if the polyps continue to grow are headache, swelling in the head, severe pain in the face, severe symptoms of sleep apnea, and bleeding from the nose.

These symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps can help a person understand if they have this condition. If an individual notices any of these signs, they can visit a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment to manage the symptoms.