Why can’t you breathe through your nose: Part III – Sinuses
If you have trouble breathing through your nose, there may be several causes; it’s important to seek out a qualified specialist for an expert evaluation. The sinuses are empty, air-filled cavities within the facial bones that open into the nasal cavities. Normally, the sinuses work together with the nose to filter, warm, and moisten the air we breathe for its journey to the lungs, and to drain away the unwanted fluid or germs that they collect. Anything that blocks the flow of mucous through the narrow sinus openings can allow germs to collect and cause infection; sinusitis is a common health problem that can affect as many as 35 million people a year in the United States. The sinuses generally become obstructed by swollen tissue (allergies or viral infections), polyps, or even a deviated septum. The key to treating sinusitis is to open the blocked sinuses through medication, allergy control, and procedural intervention, when necessary.
During our consultation, I will thoroughly evaluate each part of the nose to come up with the best plan of care for your nasal obstruction. This may involve looking into your nose with a small endoscope to assess the internal anatomy of the nose in order to determine potential internal sources of the obstruction. I may also order a CT scan to more thoroughly assess the internal nasal structures including the septum, sinuses, and turbinates.
Procedures to open the sinuses and restore function include endoscopic sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty. Endoscopic sinus surgery removes blockages, diseased and/or inflamed tissue, or polyps in order to promote sinus ventilation. For a balloon sinuplasty, cutting edge navigation technology is used to direct a balloon into inflamed sinus passages and is then inflated to dilate the narrowed area, much the way a heart surgeon opens up blocked arteries during a balloon angioplasty. In contrast to more traditional sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty can be performed in the clinic under local anesthesia, and the recovery period is typically only one or two days. We can discuss all your options for procedural intervention at a consultation.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is often performed at the same time as a functional and/or cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery, septoplasty, and/or turbinate reduction surgery. My training and experience as both a board-certified ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty gives me a unique and highly attuned perspective on the anatomy and appearance of the nose. When deciding on your nasal surgeon, you should choose a specialist who deeply understands this delicate interplay between nasal form and function.
Read more about endoscopic sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty.
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