What is it?
Nasal obstruction means difficulty breathing through the nose. It may affect one side or both, and it can be constant or come and go.
Some people notice that their nose feels more blocked at certain times, especially when lying down or during sleep, because the tissues inside the nose can swell more in that position.
It is also normal for the nose to naturally alternate which side feels more open. This is called the nasal cycle. If the blockage regularly switches from one side to the other, it may partly reflect this normal cycle — although allergies, enlarged turbinates, or other causes can make it much more noticeable.
Persistent blockage that stays mainly on one side is more likely to need evaluation for a structural or other underlying cause.
Common causes
- A crooked or bent septum inside the nose (deviated septum).
- Swollen tissue inside the nose (enlarged turbinates).
- Nasal polyps.
- Allergies or irritation inside the nose.
Less common causes
- A foreign body inside the nose.
- A growth or tumor inside the nose or sinuses.
How is it diagnosed?
We look inside your nose with a thin camera called a nasal endoscope. This helps us see what is causing the blockage and decide whether treatment with medicine, an in-office procedure, or surgery may be appropriate.
Treatment
Treatment depends on what is causing the blockage.
Salt-water (saline) sprays or rinses, steroid nasal sprays, and other nasal medicines may help when swelling or inflammation is contributing to the problem.
If the blockage is caused by a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates and symptoms remain bothersome, procedures such as septoplasty or turbinoplasty may be considered.
Nasal polyps, allergies, and other causes are treated according to the underlying condition.