A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Individuals with nasal polyps tend to have chronic inflammation of the lining of the nasal passages and sinuses (chronic sinusitis). If there are clusters or large polyps the patient’s nasal passages and sinuses may be obstructed. People with small nasal polyps may have no signs or symptoms. The following signs and symptoms are typically present:

• Runny nose – this may be permanent, with the patient feeling as if he/she always has a cold.
• Persistent stuffy or blocked nose – in some cases the patient may find it hard to breathe through the nose. There may be sleeping problems.
• Postnasal drip – a feeling of mucus continually running down the back of the throat.
• Either no sense of smell or poor sense of smell – this may not improve after polyps are treated
• Poor sense of taste – this may not improve after polyps are treated.
• Pain in the face
• Headache
• Snoring
• Itchiness around the eyes
• Obstructive sleep apnea – in severe cases. This is a potentially serious condition; the patient stops breathing during sleep.
• Double vision – in severe cases. More likely to occur if the patient has allergic fungal sinusitis or cystic fibrosis.