Is a Nasal Obstruction Impacting Your Health?
Breathing through your nose is the healthiest way to intake oxygen. The air is moistened and warmed as it passes through the turbinates in the nasal passage; it is also better filtered to remove harmful contaminants. Nasal obstructions can make it difficult to breathe through your nose, which can result in mouth breathing that is a less healthy option. If you have a nasal obstruction, treatment is available to relieve nose and sinus congestion for better nasal breathing.
Common Causes of Nasal Obstructions
The nasal passages are created by the nasal walls, septum, nasal valves and turbinates that form tunnels from the nostrils up through the sinuses. Anything that blocks these passageways can limit nasal breathing on one or both sides. Allergies, sinus infections and colds are a common cause of nasal congestion, but these should only be temporary obstructions when the nasal tissues are inflamed. Some permanent causes of nasal obstructions can include:
- Deviated septum
- Nasal valve collapse
- Enlarged turbinates
- Nasal polyps
When there are nasal obstructions, it can impact your overall health. You may have difficulty exercising, sleeping and breathing through your nose, which can cause health problems, fatigue and other symptoms.
Signs of Nasal Obstructions
If you have constant nose or sinus congestion, you may have obstructions in your nasal passages. While your nose may look normal on the outside, if there are misshapen structures on the inside, it can create breathing problems. Some of the signs of nasal obstruction can include:
- Snoring, sleep apnea and sleep disturbances
- Fatigue and headaches in the morning
- Chronic sinus infections
- Facial and sinus pain/tenderness
- Bloody noses
- Stuffy, drippy nose or postnasal drip
- Difficulty breathing solely through your nose
When you have ongoing nasal and sinus congestion and other symptoms, it could be due to swollen tissue, misshapen cartilage or other obstructions. The good news is there are many treatments that can restore normal nasal breathing without the need for invasive surgery.
At City Sinus Care in NYC, we offer minimally invasive procedures to remedy nasal obstruction problems. To learn more about same-day treatments for deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates and nasal valve collapse, call our NYC office to book an appointment.
