surgical treatment of nasal obstruction

surgical treatment of

Nasal Obstruction

Breathing difficulties through the nose is a common problem. It may be associated with allergies, but more commonly is related to a deflected nasal septum (midline wall between both nostrils) or enlarged turbinates (tissue that can swell within the nose). Sometimes nasal blockage may be associated with a floppy nostril.

Research shows that especially sleep apnea patients will benefit from improving their nasal breathing because it will help reduce CPAP facial pressure and mouth dryness.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include the inability to breathe through one or both nostrils with fluctuating severity. Obstruction becomes oftentimes worse in a warm room or when sleeping. Using CPAP can worsen nasal blockage, and patients are forced to breathe through their mouths which in turn makes their apnea worse.

Many patients will complain about a dry mouth in the morning with thick mucus. Sometimes there can be increased postnasal drainage. When associated with allergies, there may also be a scratchy, sore throat, itchy eyes, and sneezing.

The nasal septum separates the right nostril from the left. A deviated (crooked) nasal septum (see arrow) can lead to nasal obstruction of either one or both nostrils. Enlarged turbinates (see circle) can further cause additional nasal blockage by swelling, which is often times a problem for patients suffering from nasal allergies.

Straightening the nasal septum and reducing the size of the turbinates is helps to normalize nasal breathing which oftentimes helps patients to snore less or sleep better.

Treatment

Non-surgical Treatment

There are several treatment options available depending on symptoms and findings. If the nasal obstruction is mostly related to engorgement of the inferior turbinates, then saline rinses or decongestant nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase) may help.

Nasal stents (small tubes that get advanced into the nostril before going to sleep) may alleviate nasal blockage at night, in particular, when using CPAP (A mask on the face used to treat obstructive sleep apnea).

Surgical Treatment

Nonsurgical treatment is not always effective or patients may become tired of applying medication to their noses on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are some fairly simple surgical steps that can be taken to alleviate nasal obstruction permanently.

Septoplasty with turbinate reduction is a commonly performed surgery that will permanently improve nasal breathing by straightening the nasal septum and reducing the size of the turbinates. This procedure is also very effective in people who suffer from allergies.

For patients who are bothered by constant post-nasal drainage, Clarifix therapy (Cryotherapy/ freezing of tissue) is a very effective treatment option.

Patients who are bothered by chronic nasal obstruction or postnasal drainage should consider making an appointment with Dr. Weidenbecher to discuss treatment options.

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