The role of the nose is to filter, humidify and warm the air and generally prepare it before it descends into the lungs. Anything that interferes with that function, therefore, causes problems. We have nasal obstruction when for some reason the flow of air in and out of the nasal cavities is restricted, affecting one or both of them, creating difficulty in breathing through the nose.
“Usually, nasal obstruction is caused, either by swelling of the nasal tissue, or by anatomical obstruction, which results in the narrowing of the nasal cavities and the sensation of congestion,” emphasizes Ms. Olga H. Papadopoulou Director Otorhinolaryngologist – Head & Neck Surgeon at Metropolitan Hospital. “Often, nasal congestion is due to excess mucus production, or runny nose, and most of the time it goes away on its own. But when it persists, it can be a symptom of other causes and is a condition that needs further investigation,” he adds.

What are its symptoms?

The most common symptoms of nasal obstruction are stuffy nose, postnasal discharge, headache, facial pain, change in voice timbre and cough. Another symptom is dry mouth, caused by breathing through the mouth, not the nose, and is more noticeable in the morning, which can develop into pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
Other symptoms of nasal congestion are snoring, loss of smell and difficulty breathing, due to the nose being full of secretions, but also stuffiness in the ears, i.e. the feeling of fullness in them. It should be noted that the partial or total obstruction of the nasal respiratory airway can cause intense discomfort, forcing the patient to breathe through the mouth, as a result of which simple daily functions, such as feeding and exercise, become difficult.
In these cases, and indeed when nasal congestion is persistent and prolonged, the sufferer must visit a specialist.

Causes of nasal obstruction in children and adults

The most common causes of nasal obstruction, in addition to allergies that affect both adults and children, include sinusitis, such as the well-known sinusitis, sphenoiditis, ethmoiditis and frontal sinusitis. Another cause is nasal polyps (grape-like growths), which block the nasal cavities and prevent air from passing through.
Even the scoliosis of the nasal septum (crooked septum), the hypertrophy of the nasal sinuses, -which we observe after infections or in people with strong allergies, in which the sinuses swell-, the fine ridges on the side walls of the nose, prevent the flow of air.
“In children, the main cause of nasal obstruction is adenoids, the well-known meatballs, which look like half an orange stuck in the nasopharynx, which closes the nasal funnels.
One-sided obstruction of the nasal chamber for a long period of time, accompanied by yellow-green foul-smelling mucus, needs special attention in young children, which should make parents suspect the presence of a foreign body.
Finally, another cause of nasal obstruction can be tumors in the nose, which can be distinguished into benign and malignant,” points out the otorhinolaryngologist.

How is the diagnosis made and what can be the treatment?

The diagnosis of nasal obstruction is made by taking a very correct and complete history from the patient.
“Rhinoscopy helps the doctor see what’s going on inside the nose, while with endoscopy, the cameras help us go in and record the condition of the entire nose. Conservative treatment, when we have infections or allergies, are nasal washes with saline solutions, the well-known normal saline and topical nasal sprays. Of course we avoid known allergens. We also don’t smoke, because that makes the blockage worse.
Therefore, depending on the case, topical steroids or antihistamine sprays may be prescribed. In more severe cases, cortisone or oral antihistamines may be used. Finally, if there is an infection, antibiotics are administered,” explains the expert.
But be careful: “In the event that there is an anatomical obstruction, such as when we have a crooked diaphragm or polyps, surgery must be performed for the timely and effective treatment of the condition. The surgeries are now endoscopic, with cameras, so that it is possible to access all the cavities of the nose, to remove polyps, clean the sinuses and remove foreign bodies”, concludes Ms. Papadopoulou.