Nasal Obstruction
Nasal obstruction is not a disease but rather it is a symptom of an underlying disorder. It can cause the nasal passages to be obstructed or blocked.
The most common causes of nasal obstruction can be enlarged adenoids and nasal allergies. Other less common causes can be polyps, tumors and congenital abnormalities. Patients with nasal obstruction mostly present with breathing difficulties – inability or decreased ability to breathe from one or both nostrils. This can affect sleep and also cause snoring. A nasal exam by the ENT along with X-rays or CT scans or other methods can determine the right cause of nasal obstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are different types of nasal obstructions.
- Deviated Septum: It is a wall-like structure that divides the nostrils. Simply put, it just means that it is crooked.
- Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: The turbinates are bony structures in your nasal cavity. When irritated by allergies and dust, they swell and can cause breathing difficulties.
- Choanal Atresia – This is a congenital defect where excess tissue in the nasal airway creates a partial or full blockage, causing difficulty breathing.
Nasal polyps, foreign objects in the nose, oversized adenoids, and swelling of the nasal lining due to allergies can all cause a nasal obstruction as well.
The decreased volume of air passing through the nasal cavity due to nasal obstruction can cause:
- Chronic nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Incessant nasal blockage or obstruction
- Trouble breathing normally through nose
- Difficulty in sleeping, snoring, and fatigue
- Inability to get sufficient air during activities