Nasal Congestion
The surgeons at Southeast Michigan Ear, Nose and Throat are expertly trained and are highly experienced in the evaluation, diagnosis and both medical and surgical management of nasal congestion and obstruction.
Nasal congestion and obstruction cause a significant impact on the quality of life of millions of people on a daily basis, affecting one’s ability to sleep, exercise, or even get through the day without using some form of medication. It can make someone prone to recurrent sinus infections, and also contribute to frequent nose bleeds (epistaxis), snoring and sleep apnea. In a child, it can adversely not only affect their ability to sleep causing irritability and poor academic performance, but as a result of chronic mouth breathing may also contribute to dental problems. It can also result in problems with the ear and Eustachian tube causing fluid to occur in the ears and affect hearing and language development.
Common conditions that cause nasal obstruction include structural abnormalities such as a deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal valve collapse, and adenoid hypertrophy, as well as chronic inflammatory sinus disease including infections, nasal polyps, and allergies. Other less common conditions may be due to tumors of the sinuses, foreign bodies, and side effects of medications.
Diagnosis requires both obtaining a complete history and proper examination provided by our specialists. Further evaluation may be completed with in-office allergy testing, imaging studies as deemed necessary, and endoscopic examinations in the office using topical anesthesia. Our office is therefore able to provide the most comprehensive evaluation of nasal obstruction and allows us to accurately diagnose the cause of the condition and therefore, and most importantly, make a treatment plan that works for each patient with the highest success rates.
Treatment may be as simple as an adjustment in lifestyle, to changes in medications, or surgical procedures for those cases not amenable to conservative treatment. Surgical procedures offered include deviated nasal septum repair (septoplasty), inferior turbinate reduction, nasal valve repair, adenoidectomy, nasal polyp removal, and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), including Balloon Sinuplasty. These are all generally performed as outpatient procedures with minimal down time, high success rates and excellent outcomes.