PRAIRIE DOC®
  • Home
  • About
  • People
  • TV
  • Perspective
  • Donate
  • Friends/Sponsors of the Prairie Doc
  • Radio and Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Foundation
  • Prairie Doc Publishing

August 02nd, 2023

8/2/2023

 
Prairie Doc Perspective Week of July 30th, 2023
“Nasal Congestion”
By Donald Bennett, MD


One of the most common reasons a person comes to the Ear Nose and Throat clinic is a stuffy nose. The way the symptoms are described varies. The stuffiness or congestion can be present at all times, at certain times of year, worse on one side, alternate sides, and may or may not respond to medications.


Getting this clear history and taking a close look helps me determine what are the causes and how best to help.


The nasal passages are divided from left and right by the nasal septum, which is made of bone and cartilage. A deviation (or bend) of the septum is common, but can be more extreme in some cases and cause significant narrowing of the nasal passage on one or both sides. Some are born with this deviation, and it may worsen as the person grows. Sometimes a history of a nasal injury is present, which could have bent the septum or increased the chance it becomes more bent over time if the injury occurred in childhood. 


Within the nasal cavity are outpouchings called turbinates. A job of the nose is to prepare the air for the lungs, and it has structures that allow the air to be humidified, warmed and filtered. The turbinates are covered with a lining, called mucosa, which has numerous mucous glands and microscopic hairs. The turbinates are rich with blood vessels and periodically swell. This normal cycle of swelling can cause nasal congestion that alternates sides every few hours if the turbinates are excessively swollen.


The turbinates can become excessively swollen for several reasons, including viral infections, irritation from dryness, or allergies to name a few. Turbinate swelling can respond to topical medications such as steroid and antihistamine spray. Medical management of allergies if present, including allergy shots, can improve and control symptoms over time.


A less frequent cause of nasal congestion includes nasal polyps. These can be difficult to see from the front of the nose unless they are extremely enlarged. As an ENT, we often use a scope to see if these are present. A CT scan can also help.


An even less frequent cause of congestion includes weakness of the cartilage of your nose. This can happen over time, or can be seen after an injury or prior surgery. A careful exam in the clinic can help determine if this problem is present. It is often managed with surgery.


In most cases there is more than one cause of a person’s nasal congestion. If medicines do not improve symptoms, surgery can improve nasal breathing. A discussion with your surgeon on the risks and benefits to make an informed decision may be the next step. 


Dr. Bennett has been trained to provide comprehensive otolaryngology care. Dr. Bennett practices at Midwest ENT & Allergy in Sioux Falls, SD. His special interests include disorders of the ear/hearing, endoscopic sinus surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, voice and swallowing disorders. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show providing health information based on science, built on trust, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.
​

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Subscribe to Newsletter
Picture
PRAIRIE DOC® MEDIA IS A PART OF HEALING WORDS FOUNDATION.

Healing Words Foundation logo
FIND SCIENCE-BASED PEDIATRIC MEDICAL INFORMATION ON OUR SISTER SITE. 
Play Eat Sleep logo
  • Home
  • About
  • People
  • TV
  • Perspective
  • Donate
  • Friends/Sponsors of the Prairie Doc
  • Radio and Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Foundation
  • Prairie Doc Publishing