Most Common Nasal Obstruction Symptoms
Rockwell MD | Seattle, WA
If you experience constant nasal congestion or post-nasal drip, nasal obstruction may be to blame. According to Johns Hopkins, nasal obstruction is a symptom of another underlying issue, not a disease in itself. Identifying whether you have nasal obstruction is the first step towards breathing better, getting quality sleep, and improving your overall health.
There are quite a few symptoms that may manifest with nasal obstruction. Here are five of the most common symptoms to look out for:
Facial Pain and Headaches
It is common for patients experiencing frequent headaches to be misdiagnosed with migraines. If you notice that your headaches seem to present themselves in the front part of your head, a sinus issue is most likely the culprit. To discover what is causing the nasal obstruction, we will first identify if a sinus infection is present or not. If there isn’t an active infection, we will examine the septum and nasal passages to see if surgery or nasal steroids may be helpful.
Excessive Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Nasal obstruction can significantly hinder your ability to get restful, restorative sleep. Those with sleep apnea may find that they feel fatigued even after getting a full night’s sleep, which is caused by frequent waking during the night (sometimes unnoticed) due to breathing problems. Similarly, nasal obstruction may also cause excessive snoring, which can hinder your sleep quality.
Recurrent Ear Infections & Dizziness
Swelling is often present with nasal obstruction. Since the ear and nose are so connected, the swelling in one location may lead to swelling in the other. With nasal obstruction swelling, the inflammation may migrate to the ear and cause an ear infection. If the ear infection is located in the inner ear, you may notice dizziness or a spinning sensation known as vertigo.
Sinus Infections
Constant nasal obstruction can easily lead to sinus infections. Because the nasal passage is obstructed, it becomes difficult for mucus to drain, and intense swelling and infection may occur. The treatment for sinus infections is usually a course of sinus-specific antibiotics and decongestants.
Chronic Fatigue
If you always feel tired and fatigued, no matter how much you sleep, your sinuses may have something to do with it. Sinusitis causes inflammation and swelling in the sinuses. The swelling can make you feel rundown and cause fatigue. In order to remedy your tiredness, it’s important to find the root cause of your nasal obstruction and treat it promptly.
Rockwell MD in Seattle, Washington, can help diagnose your nasal obstruction and offer comprehensive treatment plans or surgery. For over 25 years, Dr. James Rockwell MD has been a leading Head and Neck-Facial Surgery Specialist. Dr. Rockwell’s services include treatment for snoring, nasal obstruction, sinus & facial headaches, facial mole removal, and ear, hearing, and throat problems.
If you feel any discomfort in your sinuses, call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Rockwell today!