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Nasal Obstruction

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Nasal obstruction is a common and annoying problem, to say the least. It is also one of the more frequent reasons people come to see us at ENT specialists of Wisconsin. Nasal obstruction not only makes breathing difficult, but it can contribute to sleeping difficulties, frequent sinus infections, nosebleeds, fatigue, irritability, difficulty smelling, eating and interacting with others.

Some causes of nasal obstruction include:

  • A deviated septum –The bone and cartilage that divide the two nasal passageways is called the nasal septum which may be off center due to trauma or poor development during childhood. Correction of a deviated septum is a common surgery we perform both in the office and in the operating room.
  • Inferior turbinate enlargement – Inferior turbinates are normal structures in the nose that can become chronically enlarged.  Treatment of the inferior turbinates can include medical treatments, including aggressive treatment of nasal allergies.  At times, reduction of the enlarged inferior turbinates will require a surgical procedure that can be performed either in the operating room, or frequently, in the office.
  • A perforated septum – Trauma to the septum can also cause it to be torn and not heal properly. This then leads to frequent nosebleeds, constant nasal drainage, and breathing difficulties. Perforated septums can be repaired surgically with skin grafts or plastic membranes.
  • Nasal polyps – Abnormal growths of tissue can occur in the nasal passages causing obstruction. They are called polyps and can cause chronic congestion, breathing difficulties and frequent sinus infections. We remove nasal polyps to relieve symptoms as well as make sure the polyps are not cancerous.

Nasal obstruction can also be caused by chronic sinus congestion and obstruction.  Blockage of the sinuses can be caused by infection, allergies, and debris. All the swelling and drainage from the sinuses can then lead to nasal obstruction and all the complications that come from that.

Infections are commonly caused by viruses, but bacterial and even fungal organisms can complicate the situation. Symptoms of sinus infections usually include headaches, congestion, facial pressure, and fever. Intranasal corticosteroids, antihistamines and antibiotics, if indicated, are often first-line treatments for sinus congestion. CT scans and endoscopic evaluations are helpful to identify the cause when a diagnosis is not straightforward. If chronic sinus problems are determined to be the issue, sinus surgery or in-office balloon sinuplasty may be considered for long-term relief.

If you suffer from chronic nasal or sinus congestion, suffer no more, call us today for a thorough evaluation with one of our caring and experienced specialists.

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