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Causes of Nasal Obstruction
Nasal obstruction is a very common patient complaint. While we readily notice nasal obstruction related to a cold or allergy, chronic nasal obstruction is often less obvious to those suffering from it. Snoring and mouth breathing may be the only signs of chronic nasal obstruction patients are aware of since they do not remember how “normal” breathing feels.
There are several causes of chronic nasal obstruction, depending on which intranasal structures are affected. The two most common causes of nasal obstruction are septal deviation and enlarged inferior turbinates. Other causes of nasal obstruction include nasal polyps, collapse of the external nasal cartilage, large adenoids or nasal tumors (rare).
The nasal septum is the structure that divides the nasal cavity in half. It consists of cartilage in the front and bone on the top and bottom. The septum is typically located in the midline, however, in the case of a deviation; the septum may project into the nasal airway of one or both sides of the nose. Septal deviations may result from some past facial injury or trauma, however mild or long ago.
The inferior turbinates are structures that project from the sidewalls of the nose. By creating turbulence as air passes through the nose, the turbinates warm and humidify inspired air. Turbinate swelling causes the stuffy nose we feel when suffering from a bad cold or allergies. In some patients, chronic turbinate enlargement may occur in the absence of allergies or colds, causing persistent nasal obstruction.
Causes of Nasal Obstruction l Medical Treatment l Inferior Turbinoplasty l Septoplasty
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