Nasal polyp Health Dictionary

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Nasal Polyp: From 1 Different Sources

A growth in the lining of the nose, usually attached by a small stalk.

Most nasal polyps are noncancerous, but they may need to be removed if they cause nasal obstruction.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Polyp

The immature life-cycle form of a jellyfish (or other cnidarian) which is attached to a substrate. Tumour projecting from mucosal surface.... polyp

Polypharmacy

1 The administration of many drugs at the same time. 2 The administration of an excessive number of drugs.... polypharmacy

Polypeptide

A molecule in which several AMINO ACIDS are joined together by peptide bonds. PROTEIN molecules are polypeptides.... polypeptide

Nasal Congestion

The nose and nasal sinuses (see SINUS) produce up to a litre of MUCUS in 24 hours, most of which enters the stomach via the NASOPHARYNX. Changes in the nasal lining mucosa occur in response to changes in humidity and atmospheric temperature; these may cause severe congestion, as might an allergic reaction or nasal polyp.

Treatment Topical nasal decongestants include sodium chloride drops and corticosteroid nasal drops (for polyps). For commoncold-induced congestion, vapour inhalants, decongestant sprays and nasal drops, including EPHEDRINE drops, are helpful. Overuse of decongestants, however, can produce a rebound congestion, requiring more treatment and further congestion, a tiresome vicious circle. Allergic RHINITIS (in?ammation of the nasal mucosa) usually responds to ipratropium bromide spray.

Systemic nasal decongestants given by mouth are not always as e?ective as topical administrations but they do not cause rebound congestion. Pseudoephedrine hydrochoride is available over the counter, and most common-cold medicines contain anticongestant substances.... nasal congestion

Polyposis

The presence of a crop, or large number, of polypi (see POLYPUS). The most important form of polyposis is that known as familial polyposis coli. This is a hereditary disease characterised by the presence of large numbers of polypoid tumours in the large bowel. Every child born to an affected parent stands a ?fty-?fty chance of developing the disease. Its importance is that sooner or later one or more of these tumours undergoes cancerous change. If the affected gut is removed surgically before this occurs, and preferably before the age of 20, the results are excellent.... polyposis

Polypus

or polyp (plural: polypi). A general name applied to tumours which are attached by a stalk to the surface from which they spring. The term refers only to the shape of the growth and has nothing to do with its structure or nature. Most polypi are of a simple nature, although malignant polypi are also found. The usual structure of a polypus is that of a ?ne ?brous core covered with epithelium resembling that of the surrounding surface. The sites in which polypi are most usually found are the interior of the nose, the outer meatus of the ear, and the interior of the womb, bladder, or bowels (see POLYPOSIS).

Their removal is generally easy, as they are simply twisted o?, or cut o?, by some form of snare or ligature. (The tissue removed should be checked for malignant cells.) Those which are situated in the interior of the bladder or bowels, and whose presence is usually recognised because blood appears in the urine or stools, require a more serious operation – usually an endoscopic examination (see ENDOSCOPE).... polypus

Dracontium Polyphyllum

Linn.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: Native to East Africa and Saudi Arabia.

English: Dragon's Blood.

Ayurvedic: Khoonkharaabaa, Heeraadokhi.

Unani: Dammul-Akhwain.

Family: Araceae.

Habitat: Maharashtra and Karnata- ka; cultivated in the South.

Siddha/Tamil: Kattu Karunayikki- langu.

Folk: Jangali Suuran.

Action: Root—antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory (prescribed for haemorrhoids), antispasmodic (used in asthma), emmenagogue, abortifacient.... dracontium polyphyllum

Lilium Polyphyllum

D. Don.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh.

Ayurvedic: Kaakoli, Madhuraa, Kshira, Vayhasthaa, Karnikaa, Vaayasoli.

Action: Tuberous root—used as a tonic in emaciation and as a source of energy, after dry roasting.

Dosage: Tuberous root—3-6 g. (API, Vol. III.)... lilium polyphyllum

Paris Polyphylla

Sm.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalayas from Simla to Bhutan and in Lushai and Aka Hills. Haimavati, Shveta-

Action: Plant—sedative, analgesic, haemostatic, anthelmintic.

The rhizome contains a glucoside, alpha-paristyphnin, which exhibited a depressant action on carotid pressure, myocardium, and respiratory movements experimentally. It produced vasoconstriction in kidney, but vasodilation in the spleen and limbs, and stimulated isolated intestines.... paris polyphylla

Polypill

A suggestion by two epidemiologists, made in the British Medical Journal in 2003, that many lives could be saved if all persons aged over 55 took a daily combination pill they termed the polypill. Its components would be ASPIRIN, a CHOLESTEROL-lowering agent, FOLIC ACID and two blood-pressure-lowering agents. The suggestion caused a massive correspondence as it implied treating a whole population rather than individuals considered to be at special risk.... polypill

Polypodium Vulgare

Linn.

Family: Polypodiaceae. English: Polypody Root. Unani: Bisfaayaj.

Action: Expectorant, laxative, stomachic, cholagogue, alterative, antistress. Used in cough, bronchitis, catarrh, loss of appetite, dyspepsia; and in skin diseases.

The rhizome gave saponin glyco- sides, based on polypodosapogenin, including osladin; ecdysteroids; phlo- roglucin derivatives; tannin.... polypodium vulgare

Nasal Decongestant

Lobelia, Poke root, Ephedra. ... nasal decongestant

Deviated Nasal Septum

See nasal septum.... deviated nasal septum

Nasal Discharge

The emission of fluid from the nose. Nasal discharge is commonly caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose and is often accompanied by nasal congestion. A discharge of mucus may indicate allergic rhinitis, a cold, or an infection that has spread from the sinuses (see sinusitis). A persistent runny discharge may be an early indication of a tumour (see nasopharynx, cancer of).

Bleeding from the nose (see nosebleed) is usually caused by injury or a foreign body in the nose.

A discharge of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose may follow a fracture at the base of the skull.... nasal discharge

Polyporus Officinalis

Fries

Family: Polyporaceae.

Habitat: On the old trunks of various coniferous trees.

English: White Agaric.

Unani: Ghaariqoon.

Action: Used in the treatment of sweats in wasting diseases such as phthisis (it checks profuse sweats); also as an expectorant and diuretic.

The drug contains agaric acid (agari- cin). The resinous extract, when burnt, yields not more than 2% of a white ash, rich in phosphates. The drug gives 46% soft resin.

Agaric acid acts as a counter-irritant when applied to abraded surfaces or mucous membrane.... polyporus officinalis

Nasal Obstruction

Blockage of the nasal passage on 1 or both sides of the nose.

The most common cause of nasal obstruction is inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the passage (see nasal congestion).

Other causes include deviation of the nasal septum, nasal polyps, a haematoma (a collection of clotted blood) usually caused by injury, and, rarely, a cancerous tumour.

In children, enlargement of the adenoids is the most common cause of nasal obstruction.... nasal obstruction

Nasal Septum

The dividing partition inside the nose. The nasal septum consists of cartilage at the front and bone at the rear, both of which are covered by mucous membrane.

Disorders include a deviated septum (twisting of the septum to one side), which may be present from birth or caused by injury. Surgery may be needed if breathing is obstructed.

Injury may also cause a haematoma (a collection of clotted blood) to form between the cartilage of the septum and the wall of one nasal cavity. A haematoma may obstruct breathing and may become infected, causing an abscess that could require surgical drainage.

Rarely, a hole may be eroded in the nasal septum by tuberculosis, syphilis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, or as a result of sniffing cocaine.... nasal septum

Polyposis, Familial

A rare, inherited disorder, also known as polyposis coli, in which many polyps are present throughout the gut, but mainly in the colon. If not treated, cancer of the colon (see colon, cancer of) is almost certain to develop. The polyps may appear from age 10. They may cause bleeding and diarrhoea; however, there are often no symptoms until cancer has developed. The polyps are detected by colonoscopy.

Since there is a 50 per cent chance that children of an affected person will inherit the disease, medical surveillance is necessary from around the age of 12.

Individual polyps may be cauterized (see cauterization).

The high risk of developing cancer often means that a colectomy and an ileostomy are performed.... polyposis, familial

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

(FAP) see polyposis.... familial adenomatous polyposis

Fibroepithelial Polyp

a fibrous overgrowth covered by epithelium, often occurring inside the mouth in response to chronic irritation (usually following accidental biting). It is sometimes called a fibrous *epulis.... fibroepithelial polyp

Juvenile Polyp

see polyp.... juvenile polyp

Nasal Bone

either of a pair of narrow oblong bones that together form the bridge and root of the nose. See skull.... nasal bone

Nasal Bridle

a fixation device to prevent patients pulling out *nasogastric (NG) tubes. Two tiny catheter-mounted magnets are inserted either side of the nasal septum to meet in the nasopharyngeal space. This leaves tapes exiting from each nostril. A clip then secures the tapes and NG tube together.... nasal bridle

Nasal Cavity

the space inside the nose that lies between the floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth. It is divided into two halves by a septum: each half communicates with the outside via the nostrils and with the nasopharynx through the posterior nares.... nasal cavity

Nasal Concha

(turbinate bone) any of three thin scroll-like bones that form the sides of the *nasal cavity. The superior and middle nasal conchae are part of the *ethmoid bone; the inferior nasal conchae are a separate pair of bones of the face. See skull.... nasal concha

Nasal Flu Vaccine

(in Britain), a vaccine currently offered to all 2- and 3-year-olds in the form of a spray into each nostril. It contains live forms of the influenza virus that have been attenuated (weakened). The vaccine stimulates the immune system but does not cause disease in healthy people.... nasal flu vaccine

Pancreatic Polypeptide

a hormone released from the D cells of the *islets of Langerhans of the pancreas in response to protein in the small intestine. Its actions are to inhibit pancreatic bicarbonate and protein enzyme secretion and to relax the gall bladder. It belongs to a family of similar hormones that have actions on appetite and food metabolism.... pancreatic polypeptide

Polypectomy

n. the endoscopic or surgical removal of a *polyp. The technique used depends upon the site and size of the polyp. Endoscopically, polyps can be removed by various methods. A hot biopsy involves coagulation of a small polyp using a diathermy current passed through biopsy forceps, which obtains a sample for analysis at the same time. Cold biopsy involves removal of a polyp using forceps alone, thereby decreasing the perforation risk. Snare polypectomy uses a wire loop (snare) to cut through the base of the polyp. This is performed with or without a diathermy current (hot snare vs. cold snare); the current reduces the risk of bleeding by coagulating local blood vessels as the snare cuts through the polyp. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) involves lifting a flat polyp by injecting a hypertonic solution into the submucosa beneath the polyp followed by snare polypectomy with diathermy. Nasal polyps may be removed using *endoscopic sinus surgery techniques, sometimes utilizing a *microdebrider.... polypectomy

Polyphagia

n. excessive eating.... polyphagia

Polyphyletic

adj. describing a number of individuals, species, etc., that have evolved from more than one ancestral group. Compare monophyletic.... polyphyletic

Polyploid

adj. describing cells, tissues, or individuals in which there are three or more complete sets of chromosomes. Compare diploid; haploid. —polyploidy n.... polyploid

Polypoid

adj. having the appearance of a *polyp.... polypoid

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