Symptoms Of Nasal Obstruction

Nasal obstruction, or difficulty breathing through the nose, is a common and troubling complaint we see in patients frequently referred to us by other doctors, specifically general otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) or plastic surgeons. Associated symptoms include mouth breathing, snoring, poor compliance with sleep apnea machines, poor exercise tolerance, and bad breath.

Septoplasty Before & Afters

*Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.

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What Is Septoplasty?

Functional nasal surgery can be performed to improve a patient’s ability to breathe through the nose, specifically by resolving anatomical problems leading to nasal obstruction. This may involve a septoplasty, turbinate reduction, nasal valve repair, or nasal bone correction.  A septoplasty is a procedure that surgeons use to straighten the cartilaginous and bony septum of the nose. The septum is the structure that separates the left and right nostrils.

Internal and external nasal valve repair involves reinforcing the structural components of the nose. When a patient has already had a septoplasty, our surgeon typically uses cartilage grafts harvested from redundant portions of the patient’s nasal septum or ear to support the sidewalls of the nose and the nostrils. . During turbinate reduction, the surgeon removes excess tissue and bone from the inferior turbinates on the inside of the nose, which might be causing further narrowing of the nasal cavity. A nasal bone correction is a procedure where the collapsed or deviated nasal bones are re-structured to a more midline and symmetric position.

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What Causes The Nasal Passages To Become Blocked?

 A nasal blockage can occur due to medical or structural issues.

Medical issues may include:

  • Allergies
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Nasal polyps

Structural issues that can cause a blockage include:

  • A deviated nasal septum
  • Collapsed structural support (i.e., nasal valve collapse)
  • Turbinate hypertrophy
  • Deviated or collapsed nasal bones

These structural issues may be congenital (you were born with it) or due to trauma or a prior nasal surgery that has caused disruption in the nasal support mechanisms that typically allow for normal airflow during inspiration.

Nasal Obstruction FAQ

What is Nasal Obstruction?

Who is the Best Candidate for Functional Nasal Surgery?

What Can I Expect During the Consultation?

Will Insurance Cover My Procedure?

What is Nasal Obstruction?

Nasal obstruction is the perception of impaired airflow through the nostrils during inspiration. This can be caused by many factors, including anatomic issues, such as a deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, or internal nasal valve narrowing, all of which can lead to increased inspiratory effort or resistance. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as allergies, chronic sinusitis, autoimmune disorders, and other mucosal inflammatory diseases can also cause nasal blockage or dysfunction of the internal lining of the nose. Generally, these conditions should be treated before any functional nasal surgery for anatomic obstruction.

Who is the Best Candidate for Functional Nasal Surgery?

Patients with nasal obstruction caused by an anatomic blockage of nasal airflow who have been treated for any chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the nose or who are medically stable may be good candidates for surgery. Certain bleeding disorders or autoimmune conditions may be a contraindication to surgery. Although being on blood-thinning medications is not an absolute contraindication to having surgery, they may need to be discontinued before surgery and resumed at your surgeon’s discretion.

What Can I Expect During the Consultation?

During your consultation at The Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, the doctor will perform a thorough examination to determine what might be contributing to your nasal obstruction and discuss options to correct any anatomic blockages or narrowing. The doctor will also answer any questions that you have.

Will Insurance Cover My Procedure?

Typically, most functional nasal surgery is covered by insurance, dependent on benefits. Sometimes, pre-authorization may be required for certain procedures for some health insurance providers.

Schedule Your Functional Nasal Surgery Consultation In Austin Today

A nasal examination in the office allows us to evaluate the nasal airway and anatomy and determine the necessary course of action. Functional nasal surgery can be combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty (reshaping of the nose) if a change in appearance is desired (with applicable out of pocket costs) or kept as a purely functional procedure (typically covered by insurance).

Our surgeons can perform functional nasal surgery when this procedure is combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience. To find out if you are a candidate for functional nasal surgery, call the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery at 512-401-2500.

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