Nasal Obstruction
overview
It has been estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from the inability to breathe well through their nose. In 2019, over $750 million was spent on nasal sprays in the United States alonei; one of the most common reasons to use a nasal spray is to treat nasal blockage. Nasal obstruction is a prevalent problem that can greatly affect one’s quality of life.


Nasal Obstruction
overview
It has been estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from the inability to breathe well through their nose. In 2019, over $750 million was spent on nasal sprays in the United States alonei; one of the most common reasons to use a nasal spray is to treat nasal blockage. Nasal obstruction is a prevalent problem that can greatly affect one’s quality of life.

Symptoms
Nasal obstruction is the inability to move air through the nose. For some patients, the blockage is mostly at night and may alternate from side to side. For others, it is continuous throughout the day and primarily single-sided. Nasal blockage can impede exercise tolerance. It can also lead to frequent dry mouth due to mouth breathing. Other associated symptoms may include runny nose, itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, frequent sneezing, facial pain or pressure, loss of smell, nosebleeds.
Causes
- Allergies: Can be seasonal or perennial, and are often associated with sneezing, clear drainage from the nose, itchy nose, and itchy eyes.
- Deviated Septum: The septum is located on the inside of the nose in the midline and divides the right nostril from the left nostril. The septum itself can be deviated, blocking one side of the nose. The deviation may be congenital or a result of nasal trauma.
- Turbinate Enlargement: Three turbinates exist inside of each nostril, the inferior, middle, and superior turbinates. The inferior turbinates are the most common to be enlarged, but the middle turbinates can also block nasal airflow.
- Nasal Valve Collapse: Two nasal valves exist, the internal and external nasal valves. During inspiration of air through the nose, both of these valves can collapse blocking airflow.
- Nasal Polyps and Sinusitis: Nasal polyps are inflammatory tissue in the nose that can block airflow. In addition, chronic sinusitis causes inflammation of the lining and of the nose and can create nasal obstruction.
- Large Adenoid Pad: The adenoid pad is lymphatic tissue located in the back of the nose. When this is enlarged it can cause nasal blockage.
- Nasal Masses: Can be benign or cancerous.

Symptoms
Nasal obstruction is the inability to move air through the nose. For some patients, the blockage is mostly at night and may alternate from side to side. For others, it is continuous throughout the day and primarily single-sided. Nasal blockage can impede exercise tolerance. It can also lead to frequent dry mouth due to mouth breathing. Other associated symptoms may include runny nose, itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, frequent sneezing, facial pain or pressure, loss of smell, nosebleeds.
Causes
- Allergies: Can be seasonal or perennial, and are often associated with sneezing, clear drainage from the nose, itchy nose, and itchy eyes.
- Deviated Septum: The septum is located on the inside of the nose in the midline and divides the right nostril from the left nostril. The septum itself can be deviated, blocking one side of the nose. The deviation may be congenital or a result of nasal trauma.
- Turbinate Enlargement: Three turbinates exist inside of each nostril, the inferior, middle, and superior turbinates. The inferior turbinates are the most common to be enlarged, but the middle turbinates can also block nasal airflow.
- Nasal Valve Collapse: Two nasal valves exist, the internal and external nasal valves. During inspiration of air through the nose, both of these valves can collapse blocking airflow.
- Nasal Polyps and Sinusitis: Nasal polyps are inflammatory tissue in the nose that can block airflow. In addition, chronic sinusitis causes inflammation of the lining and of the nose and can create nasal obstruction.
- Large Adenoid Pad: The adenoid pad is lymphatic tissue located in the back of the nose. When this is enlarged it can cause nasal blockage.
- Nasal Masses: Can be benign or cancerous.
Diagnosis
Physical Exam
Most anatomic abnormalities are identified on routine physical exam.
Nasal endoscopy
A small camera is placed in the nose in order to evaluate for nasal masses, polyps, signs of infection, deviated septum, and enlarged adenoid pad.
Allergy Testing
Performed in patients with symptoms suggestive of allergies.
Imaging
CT scan, as well as MRI, may be used to evaluate for signs of sinusitis or the extent of a nasal mass if one is identified on exam.


Diagnosis
Physical Exam
Most anatomic abnormalities are identified on routine physical exam.
Nasal endoscopy
A small camera is placed in the nose in order to evaluate for nasal masses, polyps, signs of infection, deviated septum, and enlarged adenoid pad.
Allergy Testing
Performed in patients with symptoms suggestive of allergies.
Imaging
CT scan, as well as MRI, may be used to evaluate for signs of sinusitis or the extent of a nasal mass if one is identified on exam.
Available Treatments
Medication
Trial of an intranasal steroid for at least one month may provide a marked improvement in a patient’s symptoms. In addition, either an intranasal or oral antihistamine may also provide benefit for patients with allergies.
Allergy Immunotherapy
Patients with severe allergies that do not respond adequately to medication may benefit from allergy shots.
Septoplasty
A surgical technique that removes the deviated or crooked portion of the septum.
Turbinate Reduction
Enlarged turbinates in the nose can be reduced in size to improve nasal airflow.
Functional Septorhinoplasty
The collapse or narrowing of the internal nasal valve can be corrected by the placement of a cartilage graft.
Latera
Helps prevent the collapse of the sidewall of the nose.
Sinus Surgery
Nasal polyps can be removed and blocked sinuses opened in order to improve nasal airflow.
Adenoidectomy
The removal of enlarged adenoid tissue.
Treatment
Medication
Trial of an intranasal steroid for at least one month may provide a marked improvement in a patient’s symptoms. In addition, either an intranasal or oral antihistamine may also provide benefit for patients with allergies.
Allergy Immunotherapy
Patients with severe allergies that do not respond adequately to medication may benefit from allergy shots.
Septoplasty
A surgical technique that removes the deviated or crooked portion of the septum.
Turbinate Reduction
Enlarged turbinates in the nose can be reduced in size to improve nasal airflow.
Functional Septorhinoplasty
The collapse or narrowing of the internal nasal valve can be corrected by the placement of a cartilage graft.
Latera
Helps prevent the collapse of the sidewall of the nose.
Sinus Surgery
Nasal polyps can be removed and blocked sinuses opened in order to improve nasal airflow.
Adenoidectomy
The removal of enlarged adenoid tissue.
Services We Provide
- Allergy testing
- Allergy immunotherapy
- Nasal endoscopy
- In-office CT scan
- Septoplasty
- Turbinate reduction
- Functional septorhinoplasty
- Latera
- Sinus surgery
- Adenoidectomy


Services We Provide
- Allergy testing
- Allergy immunotherapy
- Nasal endoscopy
- In-office CT scan
- Septoplasty
- Turbinate reduction
- Functional septorhinoplasty
- Latera
- Sinus surgery
- Adenoidectomy