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Many people/ whose noses are stuffy all the time/ have nasal polyps, small finger-like

projections that block air flow through the nose. Until recently, the only way to get rid

of them was to take cortisone-type drugs, however, the weight-loss drugs, fen-fen, ma also

be effective.

Nasal polyps are blisters on the inner lining of the nose. Fluid-filled sacks hang down

from the inner lining of the nose like little fingers to block the flow of air. People

with polyps usually wheeze and cough, particularly when they get infections and often lose

their sense of smell. Allergy injections, antihistamines and decongestants do not relieve

a stuffy nose associated with nasal polys. Surgeons can remove the polyps, but the polyps

usually return within a few weeks. People with nasal polyps should never take aspirin as

most will eventually develop shortness of breathe, itching or increased nasal stuffiness,

when they take it.

Until recently, the only effective treatments was cortisone-like injections and pills,

such as prednisone,/ and antibiotics to treat the infections associated with polyps.

However, cortisone-type pills and shots can make you fat and lower your immunity, so

doctors try to avoid this treatment and prescribe cortisone-type pills for only a week or

two, followed by cortisone-type nasal sprays to slow the return of the polyps and the

antibiotic, doxycycline, (100 mg twice a day for 6 months) to get rid of associated

mycoplasma infections. Recently, three patients have had their polyps disappear when they

took the weight loss drugs, phentermine (30 mg once a day) and phendimetrazine (35 mg

three times a day). Future studies will show if this is an effective treatment.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News 1) el Naggar M, Kale S, Aldren C, F. Effect of Beconase nasal spray on olfactory

function in post-nasal polypectomy patients: a prospective controlled trial. Department of

Otolaryngology, North Riding Infirmary, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, UK. J Laryngol Otol 1995

Oct; 109(10): 941-4. We conclude that topical beclomethasone does not improve olfaction

following nasal polypectomy. 2) PA Gurr, A Chakraverty, V Callanan, SJ Gurr. The detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

in nasal polyps. Clinical Otolaryngology 21: 3 (JUN 1996): 269-273. 3) Mirkin G. Personal observation.

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