Nasal Obstruction
The nose is a normal respiratory organ, and it warms and humidifies the air we breathe and filters foreign substances, allergens and micro-organisms in it. In this way, the oxygen in the air that goes to the lungs as warmed and humidified passes into the blood much better. The most important task of the nose in performing these functions is the lower nasal conchae (lower turbinates). The most common cause of nasal congestion is the enlargement of the lower concha for various reasons, affecting the airflow negatively.
Congestion in the nose also significantly impairs the quality of life by causing problems such as frequent throat infections due to mouth breathing, complaints due to dryness in the throat, sleep disorders, snoring and sleep apnea.
The most common causes of nasal congestion in adults are;
Inclination of the cartilage and bone structure called the septum, which is located between the two nasal passages, is the most common cause of nasal congestion in adults. Intranasal deviations may be due to nasal fractures caused by trauma, or they may occur with abnormal development of the septum during the growth of the nose with age, as a result of damage to the bone and cartilage development centers due to unnoticed injuries during birth or development or genetic factors. Problems in the area called the nasal valve at the entrance of the nose, enlargement of the nasal concha and allergic rhinitis are the most common causes of nasal congestion in adults. In addition to congestion, patients with allergic rhinitis also have nasal itching, sneezing and watery, clear nasal and postnasal discharge. Nasal and sinus infections, excessive reactions of nasal vessels to external stimuli, polyps originating from the sinuses, medium concha size and benign and malignant tumors in the nose can also cause congestion.