What’s Really Causing Your Stuffy Nose?
Your nose was meant to help you breathe. While we certainly have our mouth as a backup, it is the primary function of your nose to inhale and exhale oxygen for your body. For many, we take this granted. There are a notable percentage of people who miss out on free nasal breathing due to chronic congestion or sinusitis. If you never seem to breathe well through your nose, is it more than just a cold, allergies or weather changes? Could it be your nasal anatomy?
At City Sinus Care, we specialize in non-surgical, office-based treatment options that targets the underlying causes of nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis. To this end, we consider the anatomical changes that could be responsible for your chronic stuffy nose and reduced nasal breathing.
Anatomical Reasons for Chronic Congestion
Your stuffy nose may be caused by issues that you can’t control on your own. Instead of the intruding pollen or the neighbor’s cat, chronic congestion may be a result of a structural abnormality or obstruction inside your nose. When allergies or sickness are ruled out, Dr. Levtin will consider the following anatomical culprits:
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which can cause congestion and pressure in the face. This medical condition is considered chronic when symptoms persist for 12 weeks or longer despite attempts at treatment.
- Deviated Septum
- A deviated septum is a condition where the wall between the two nostrils is crooked, making it difficult to breathe through one or both nostrils.
- Nasal Polyps
- Turbinate Hypertrophy
- Swelling or enlargement of the inferior turbinate inside the nose can impair proper airflow.
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that can form in the lining of the nasal passages, leading to congestion.
Symptoms Beyond Poor Breathing
If you have one or more of these anatomical variations, you may experience a full range of symptoms and disruptions to your daily living. It is common to suffer from nasal obstruction, headaches, sinus pressure, and/or post-nasal drip. When patients rarely (or never) breathe well through their nose, they often have poor sleep, low energy and difficulty breathing with exercise. Therefore, addressing these structural issues within the nose can be life-changing for those who suffer, resulting in better breathing and improved quality of life!
If you frequently struggle to breathe through both sides of your nose, don’t assume it is allergies. Let our physicians evaluate the anatomy of your nose and sinuses to determine an accurate cause of your poor airflow. Most important, we can help fix it. Call City Sinus Care today and start breathing better.
