Nose
Often overlooked, the nose usually enters our mind when it isn’t working right—such as when it is running too much, congested/obstructed, or bleeding. Beyond nose-related problems that can cause troublesome symptoms, the nose itself plays a critical role in keeping our entire body healthy.
Some of the important functions of the nose include:
- Filters and warms the air we breathe
- Improves sleep quality
- Lowers blood pressure
- Decreases anxiety
- Improves neck posture, preventing chronic neck and back pain
- Prevents bad breath, dry mouth
Some may incorrectly assume that the mouth is just as capable a means to breathe, but it really isn’t. Humans were fundamentally designed to breathe through the nose and when this doesn’t happen, significant imbalances occur.
What causes Nasal Symptoms?
Nasal Congestion and Obstruction:
Nasal congestion, or intermittent nasal obstruction with associated nasal pressure, shares many of the same causes as a runny nose, including allergies, viral illness, and sinus infection. The congestion is a result of swelling of the skin and structures in the nose. However, those who suffer from recurrent bouts of nasal congestion often have predisposing anatomical issues that make even the slightest cold, sinus infection, or allergy exposure miserable. Some of these easily correctible anatomical variations include:
- Enlarged turbinates – located within the side wall of the nose
- Deviated septum – structure which divides the left and right sides of the nose is pushed to one side
- Nasal swell bodies- located in the center of the nose
- Weak nasal sidewalls
- Enlarged adenoids
Nasal obstruction can occur periodically as a result of congestion or relatively constant due to a more significant abnormality in the structures listed above.
Allergies:
Allergies come in many forms, with some suffering seasonally and others year-round. Fundamentally, allergies are an overreaction of your body’s immune system to harmless foreign substances, or allergens, that enter the body, such as dander and pollen. This overreaction can take many forms including: severe nasal obstruction, runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, and itchy, watery eyes.
Allergy sufferers often feel like they live in the pharmacy aisle. Despite constantly being on medication they just can’t breathe well. And when you don’t breathe well you don’t sleep well, leading to decreased energy and a sense of being in a fog. But Resolve ENT can help break this cycle.
Nasal Polyps:
Nasal polyps are typically slow growing, soft, non-cancerous growths on the inside of the nose. They form due to chronic inflammation and are often seen in patients with allergies and asthma. Based on their size and location, some nasal polyps may be asymptomatic while others cause nasal obstruction, recurrent or chronic sinus infections.
How do we diagnose your Nasal issues at Resolve ENT?
At Resolve ENT, the evaluation of your nasal symptoms couldn’t be simpler, more convenient or comfortable. After a thorough discussion of your symptoms we take a close look at the inside of your nose with nasal endoscopy– easily accomplished in our office in under a minute.
What treatments are available for Nasal Symptoms at Resolve ENT?
Before any treatment plan is recommended, we identify the root cause of the issue. This is done with a brief, painless nasal endoscopy in the office. The most common culprits are enlarged/swollen structures in the nose called turbinates, a deviated septum (divides the left and right side of the nose), weakened sidewalls of the nose, and enlarged adenoids.
With the trouble area(s) identified we recommend minimally invasive, permanent solutions that avoid lifelong reliance on medications and devices. These treatments include:
Led by Dr. Siva Elangovan, the medical professionals at Resolve ENT are proud to offer high-quality, comprehensive care to patients located in Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, Uptown, Lincoln Square and the surrounding communities such as Evanston, Oak Park, and Des Plaines of Chicago, Illinois. Contact us to schedule your private consultation with our expert medical team and start your journey with us today.