Nasal Obstruction

Nasal Obstruction Q & A

What is a nasal obstruction?

A nasal obstruction occurs at any time when the flow of air through a person's nose is impeded or blocked. Nasal obstructions can occur in one or both nostrils, and are usually temporary in nature.

That said, many people find nasal obstruction to be a serious impediment to their normal daily function. In such cases, multiple treatment options are available. It is important to note that no two people will have the same experience of nasal obstruction, which is why taking an individualized approach is the cornerstone of patient care at the Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy.

What about nasal obstruction resulting from an object inserted into the nose?

This is another form of nasal obstruction, one that commonly occurs in very young children. Kids have a natural curiosity about the world and for some reason, they often experiment with placing items into their nose.

The result can be the complete obstruction of one nostril, which is often not apparent to their caretakers until blood or a foul-smelling discharge is noted. Removing these types of nasal obstructions is important to reduce the risk of infection or the chance that the item will become further lodged in the nose or enter the sinus cavity. When small, button-style batteries are the source of the obstruction, the situation becomes an emergency due to the risk that acid will be released into the child's body.

What are the treatments for nasal obstruction?

The course of treatment depends on the cause of the nasal obstruction. For some patients, allergies lead to significant obstruction of the nasal passages.

In that case, the professionals at the Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy are able to determine the allergens that are causing the problem and work toward a solution. In other cases, anatomical variations are the cause of obstructed nasal passageways. A variety of treatments and interventions is available to help restore normal breathing function. In some cases, surgery can provide a permanent solution and is the best treatment option.