Health and Wellness
PAGE 40
676
Route 202-206 North • Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: 908-725-5050 • Fax: 908-927-1133
www.drschneiderman.com
Phone: 908-725-5050 • Fax: 908-927-1133
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Nasal/Sinus Surgery
Hearing Tests
Snoring/Sleep Apnea
Voice Disorders
Facial Plastic Surgery
Radiesse Cosmetic
Ear Infections
Nosebleeds
Earlobe Repair
Radiesse Cosmetic
TODD A. SCHNEIDERMAN
MD FACS
EAR NOSE and THROAT
The CONNECTory
www.connectory.theconnectionsnj.com
Be Seen In
Scan here
to visit
WHY IS MY NOSE STUFFY?
By: Todd A. Schneiderman, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Many people complain that they can’t
breathe through their nose as well as they
should. For some reason, one of the most
basic bodily functions has become increasing-
ly uncomfortable. Modern medicine has many
solutions. These include medical and surgical
options. Most people try a variety of medi-
cines before considering surgery. The good
news is, if you do need surgery, it can usually
be done as an outpatient.
What’s There
Before you shoot your gun, you need a target.
In other words, we have to understand what
we are dealing with if we want to fix the
problem. The nose is simply two air passages
in the center of the face with a wall in the
middle. This wall is the septum. This is a com-
mon site of nosebleeds. The outer walls of
these passages are curved, with three sepa-
rate elevations per side. These elevations are
called turbinates, and are thought to humidi-
fy and heat the air before it gets to the lungs.
The sinuses are air pockets in the bones of the
face. The sinuses open into the spaces
between the turbinates. The outside of this
complex three dimensional structure is cov-
ered by a cap, the nose.
How It Works
The turbinates each take turns swelling and
opening, so that one nasal passage is usually
more open than the other. This is called the
nasal cycle and occurs several times a day. If
you are allergic to pollen, dust, cats, or any
other allergen this may cause swelling
throughout the nasal lining, especially the
turbinates. This swelling decreases the area of
the nasal airway, and you feel this subjective-
ly as stuffiness. You then become a mouth
breather. For some people this occurs as a
result of changes in temperature and humidi-
ty. An infection of the nasal or sinus lining can
cause similar changes.
Trauma also accounts for difficulty breathing
through the nose. A fracture of the septum
can change it from a midline, flat wall, to a
bent, twisted shape. This will cause a change
in the flow of air that you are used to and will
cause a sensation of stuffiness that will last
long after the initial swelling has resolved.
Some people are simply born with a deviated,
or curved, septum. This is very common and
many people don’t know that they have this
condition. The nose is sensitive to even the
smallest blockage, and an obstructed flow of
air will make you take notice. This blockage
changes you from a nose to a mouth
breather. It will change your voice, make you
sound like you have a cold, and cause dry
mouth. And it can be hard to eat if you have
to breathe mainly by mouth. You can prove to
yourself how sensitive the nose is to the small-
est blockage. When you blow your nose,
often not much comes out, but your ability to
breathe is dramatically improved.
What To Do About It
Medicines are very helpful here. These include
antihistamines and decongestants, often in
the same preparation. Antihistamines are
used to treat the underlying allergic reaction if
this is the cause of the problem. Modern ver-
sions of these avoid most of the sedation
associated with this class of drugs, and some
are available only as a prescription. Deconges-
tants are available over the counter and are
used to shrink the swollen lining of the nasal
passages to allow more airflow. Antihista-
mines can cause drowsiness and deconges-
tants can cause insomnia. When taken in
combination these side effects can counter
each other. Nasal spray decongestants are
available over the counter but their use is gen-
erally not recommended for more than a few
days. Nasal steroid sprays are commonly used
to decrease nasal lining inflammation and can
be safely used long term. Salt water spray is
another option and is safe to use for clearing
mucous blockage from the nose. For those
with a serious allergy problem, allergy shots
are a consideration. Antibiotics are recom-
mended when the inflammation is caused by
infection.
Often medicine does not help, or helps only
partially. For people who don’t like the idea of
being on medicine for the rest of their life,
surgery may provide a very effective, safe,
long term solution.
The Surgery Option
The main procedures used to address the
crooked septum and enlarged turbinates are
called septoplasty and turbinoplasty. Both are
accomplished in an outpatient setting and are
done through the nostrils, so a facial incision
is not needed. In the septoplasty procedure,
the septum is straightened to allow for more
airflow. The turbinates are also reduced in size
with a variety of techniques. These proce-
dures allow for a permanent, often dramatic,
improvement in nasal airflow. This may also
eliminate the need for medicine. And while
these procedures do not treat allergy, the
change inside the nose will eliminate stuffi-
ness. Many surgeons perform these proce-
dures without nasal packing. There may also
be a benefit in relation to snoring and sleep
apnea.
None of these options for treatment are
thought of as “Life Saving” medicine, but
improved nasal breathing will make for a
more comfortable patient.
For more information and descriptions of var-
ious nasal and sinus conditions please look on
the web ar
www.drschneiderman.com.
www.theconnectionsnj.com
link