Trouble Breathing Through Your Nose? Find Out What's Blocking Your Breathing
By: Dr. Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD, MPH
Trouble breathing through your nose? A stuffy snout? A stopped-up sniffer?If you're constantly struggling to breathe through your nose, there's usually a reason.
Poor nasal breathing can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, dry mouth and throat, throat clearing, and sinus symptoms.
The challenge is figuring out exactly where the problem is.
There are several potential points of narrowing or obstruction throughout the nose. Let's take a look at some of the most common causes of nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through your nose.
The Septum
The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left sides of your nose.
Ideally, the septum is relatively straight. However, many people have a deviated septum, which can narrow one side of the nasal airway and make nasal breathing more difficult.
A deviated septum may cause:
Difficulty breathing through one or both sides of the nose
Chronic nasal congestion
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Recurrent sinus symptoms
Difficulty sleeping comfortably
When a deviated septum is significantly contributing to nasal obstruction, a septoplasty may be recommended. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the nasal septum to improve airflow through the nose.
The Nasal Valve
The nasal valve is located near the entrance of your nose and is one of the narrowest parts of the nasal airway. Problems with the nasal valve can make it feel difficult to get enough air through your nose, particularly when exercising or breathing deeply.
Some people notice that gently pulling the cheek outward makes it easier to breathe through the nose. This can be a clue that nasal valve narrowing is contributing to the problem.
For temporary relief, over-the-counter options such as Breathe Right® nasal strips or internal nasal dilators ("nose cones") may help open the nasal passage.
For patients with persistent nasal valve narrowing or collapse, longer-term treatment options may include an in-office procedure such as VivAer® or surgery, including nasal valve reconstruction or functional rhinoplasty.
The Nasal Turbinates
The nasal turbinates are structures along the inside walls of your nose that help warm, humidify, and filter the air you breathe.
When you have allergies, inflammation, or an upper respiratory infection, the turbinates can become enlarged and swollen. This can significantly narrow the nasal airway and make you feel congested.
Nasal steroid sprays can reduce inflammation and swelling and may improve nasal breathing, particularly when allergies or chronic nasal inflammation are contributing to the problem.
If enlarged turbinates continue to cause significant nasal obstruction despite medical treatment, turbinate reduction may be an option. Depending on the patient and technique, turbinate reduction can be performed as an in-office or surgical procedure.
Sometimes It's More Than One Problem
One of the frustrating things about nasal obstruction is that there isn't always a single culprit.
You may have a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, and nasal valve narrowing at the same time. Allergies or chronic sinus inflammation can make the obstruction even worse.
That's why simply treating congestion with over-the-counter medications may not always solve the problem.
An ENT can examine the inside and outside of your nose to determine where your nasal airway is narrowed and why you're having difficulty breathing through your nose.
Breathe Better NOW!
If you're constantly breathing through your mouth, waking up with a dry throat, snoring, or struggling to get enough air through your nose, don't assume that "that's just how your nose is."
There may be a treatable cause of your nasal obstruction.
Your ENT can evaluate your nasal airway and determine whether your symptoms are related to the nasal valve, deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, allergies, sinus disease, or another condition.
Stop putting up with a stopped-up sniffer. Find out what's blocking your breathing and breathe better!
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