For most of your life, your nasal passages behave as they should. These provide a healthy mucosal layer that transports pathogens away and keeps you breathing freely.
But what happens when this system goes wrong?
That’s the topic of this blog post. It explores some of the more insidious nasal passage issues that you might face and when you need to see an ENT specialist.
Nasal Polyps
Starting with the biggest issue, nasal polyps are something that affects a surprisingly vast swathe of the population. These usually begin as tiny lumps in the nasal passages or sinuses but can grow substantially over time. Furthermore, they can lead to issues regarding breathing and snoring, or make asthma attacks worse.
Most nasal polyp treatment involves a wait-and-see approach. ENTs will usually leave them for a few months to see if they disappear on their own. If they don’t, it’s often a simple surgery to remove them.
Vasomotor Rhinitis
Vasomotor rhinitis is another issue that can affect your nasal passages which isn’t what you’d usually expect. Often, it results in a chronic runny nose in response to temperature changes, but also pollution.
This condition occurs when the nose overreacts to changes in the environment. The body sometimes believes it is erroneously under attack, producing an excessive response to stimuli.
The degree to which this condition affects your life depends on the climate. The worst place to be is a cold, dry climate or in a home in the winter with a packed-up furnace.
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is another issue that can affect the nasal passages and harm your quality of life. It involves persistent inflammation of the sinuses, congestion, facial pressure, and a reduced sense of smell.
People with this condition will often wake up in the morning to the sensation of pressure around their eyes and face. Sometimes, this can spread to other parts of the head, leading to even more inflammation and discomfort.
Dealing with chronic sinusitis requires determining what’s causing the condition. Usually, it’s a bacteria, but it can also be viruses and fungi, plus problems with the anatomy. Medics will often recommend scans and antibiotics to eliminate any disease, and then consult with you about the possibility of an operation.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is another insidious nasal passage issue. This condition occurs when compounds in the atmosphere interact with respiratory tissues, causing an inflammatory reaction.
Mostly, allergic rhinitis occurs because of things like pet dander and grass pollen. These days, you can get full allergy panels, telling you what you’re allergic to and what might be driving the condition. Then, you can take preventative action, such as filtering the air inside your home.
Nasal Obstruction
Finally, nasal obstruction can also be a problem and a reason for visiting the ENT. This problem is a leading cause of sleep apnea, a problem that occurs when a person can’t breathe properly at night because the airway closes up. Sometimes surgery is necessary to open the nose up again.
