Nasal congestion or nasal obstruction can be related to a wide variety of causes. Sometimes it is only a temporary problem, such as when someone has a cold, but occasionally it can be ongoing and impact on a person’s quality of life. In particular, it has been linked to increased snoring and sleep disturbance.
Nasal congestion may be due to allergies causing swelling of the internal lining of the nose. This type of obstruction may be effectively treated with nasal steroid sprays and nasal wash. Sometimes, however, there is a physical obstruction to airflow passing through the nose. Possible causes of physical obstruction include a deviated nasal septum (the middle partition that divides the nasal cavity in half), weak or collapsing nasal cartilages, large adenoid tissue in the back of the nose, or enlarged/air-filled nasal turbinates. Rarely it may be due to growths or tumours within the nose. These types of physical obstruction are generally best treated with surgery.
Dr Hodge can perform a thorough examination of your nose, including nasendoscopy (looking with a telescope up into your nose). She can then discuss and recommend what would be the best treatment for you, along with performing surgery as required, depending on your individual concerns.