Can Nasal Polyps Make You Dizzy & Can They Cause Fatigue?

Medically, nasal polyps are defined as “non‐neoplastic masses of oedematous nasal/sinus mucosa characterized by gross extracellular submucosal edema” or “fibroedematous infiltration of sub‐epithelial tissue”. It is a common illness of the upper respiratory tract. It is characterized by severe inflammation in the sinus regions with developments of tissues lining of the nasal passages. Tissue growth appears as teardrops or sac-like grape structures observed in the affected people which is painless in some patients.

According to a survey report, nasal polyps accounted for approximately 4% in western countries ⁽¹⁾. Microbial infection, severe allergies, immunological problems, and drug sensitivity are all associated with the outgrowths of sinonasal tissues and the triggering factors are not unclear till now ⁽²⁾.

Most of the sinus problems are connected to dizziness. The instabilities in the middle ear are common during nasal polyps or any sinus infection which is the main reason for dizziness ⁽⁴⁾. Nasal blockage, frequent nasal discharges, difficult in smell and taste, lack of a good night’s sleep, face muscle pressure, swelling, and rarely pain occurs in affected individuals. Nasal polyps were documented as severe cases, moderate, slight or no symptom ⁽³⁾. It affects the quality of life and brings emotional concerns like anxieties.

Fatigue is defined as overtiredness associated with the slowness in activities. It brings a strong prospective feeling like need to sleep which affects the day-to-day deeds. According to a report published by a Chinese scientist, physical activity, general health, mental status, and emotional sense were prone to get affected in individuals with nasal polyp ⁽⁴⁾. The study confirmed the low scores obtained among 120 patients from 6 different domain such as physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, mental health, vitality, and general health.

Chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, aspirin sensitivity, cystic fibrosis, Kartageners syndrome, Youngs syndrome, Churg‐strauss syndrome, Nasal Mastocytosis are some of the conditions associated with nasal polyps. Chronic rhinosinusitis is the main clinical condition most frequently diagnosed in sinonasal inflammation. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps makes the inflammation severe resulting in a pathetic situation of life. But, in another way, it helps to diagnose the disease easily and treat eventually ⁽⁵⁾. On the other hand, allergy is the main factor involved in eliciting the disease.

Some miscellanies studies have evidenced that nasal microbial infection associated with the source of the disease. The presence of Helicobacter pylori in nasal polyps has been proved in the research literature ⁽⁸⁾.

The report on the pathogenesis of this disease is not well researched till date and many literatures say the cause of the disease is unclear. Nasal polyps have immunological cells such as eosinophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells; and goblet cell hyperplasia, extracellular matrix protein accumulation, glandular hyperplasia, and edema ⁽⁶⁾. With these cells and advances in microarray techniques, researchers found the new gene responsible for the expression of nasal polyp tissue ⁽⁷⁾.

Nasal polyp, a common inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal mucosa, is characterized by inflammatory cell accumulation, basement membrane thickening, abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts, and exaggerated deposition of the extracellular matrix. Fatigue and dizziness affect the day-to-day performances of nasal polyps infected people. Physical activity, general health, mental status, and emotional sense are an essential factor for maintaining a healthy quality of life. Nasal polyp disease reduces these domains and disrupts normal life.

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Also Read:

• What are Nasal Polyps, Know its Causes, Symptoms, Treatment