Nasal Blockages

Did you know that nasal breathing delivers about 70 percent of airflow to your lungs? With this statistic in mind, imagine how your quality of life is impacted if your nasal airway is obstructed in any way. It can affect your sleep, exercise, and your ability to breathe normally. 

More than 20 million Americans struggle to breathe through their noses. But, the good news is that NAO can be treated. In this article, we will describe nasal airway obstruction and discuss recommended treatment options. 

Do you have nasal blockage? 

Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) refers to any blockage of the nasal cavity. Even a slight narrowing of the nasal valve can lead to a significant reduction in airflow to your lungs. Narrowing of the nasal valve may be caused by an enlargement of the Septum, Lateral Wall, and Turbinates. 

NAO can be caused by a wide variety of problems:  

• Foreign bodies in the nose
• Large adenoids, which block the back of the nose
• Swelling of the lining of the nose from allergies
• Inferior turbinate hypertrophy, which occurs when the turbinates become swollen due to allergy or dust irritation. 
• Deviated nasal septum, which is caused by trauma to the nose
• Pyriform aperture stenosis, which is a rare birth defect where the front opening of the nose is narrow due to an overgrowth in the upper jaw bone 

As you may expect, symptoms of nasal airway obstruction include nasal congestion or stuffiness, nasal blockage, breathing difficulties, and sleeping trouble. An ENT specialist can conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the extent of your nasal obstruction. 

Do home remedies provide relief?  

The extent of a patient’s nasal airway obstruction will determine their treatment options. Traditionally, NAO has been treated by ongoing home remedies and nasal surgery.  

Ongoing home remedies include nightly breathing strips, nasal dilators, and nasal steroid sprays. While these may provide temporary relief, they are not a permanent solution. Likewise, nasal surgery, which often involves pain and recovery time, is not always effective. 

Today, there is a third option to treat nasal airway obstruction: A procedure called Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling.  

Experience lasting relief with VIVAER® nasal airway remodeling 

Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling is a clinically-proven treatment that uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to gently and permanently reshape the nasal valve. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve cutting and can be performed in your doctor’s office. Plus, it is completed using only local anesthetic, which allows you to return to regular activity right away.

It is an excellent treatment option for patients who have narrow nasal valves but are not interested in or would not benefit from septoplasty. Our patients have experienced immediate improved breathing following the Vivaer® procedure. 

Discover how the team at ExcelENT can help you breathe easy

Are you tired of treating your sinus issues with nasal strips and sprays? The team at ExcelENT of Alabama is passionate about sinus health and helping patients breathe better. Schedule an appointment with us to determine if you’re a candidate for Vivaer®.