Your nasal passages extend from your nostrils to the top of your throat behind your nose. They are the part of your nose that helps you breathe in and out. Having abnormally narrow nasal passages can cause health problems, which we review below.
How Can Narrow Nasal Passages Cause Health Problems?
The symptoms and health effects of narrow nasal passages differ slightly between adults and children.
Adults may experience:
- Difficulty breathing when working out at PULSEology Fitness Club
- Loud breathing
- Trouble sleeping
- Sinus infections
- Nosebleeds
Babies and young children may exhibit:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loud breathing
- Mouth breathing
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeding difficulties
- Ear pain or discomfort
Causes of Narrow Nasal Passages
There are many potential causes of narrow nasal passages, including:
- Genetics. If other members of your family have narrow nasal passages, you could too.
- Trauma. Traumatic injury, burns or surgery could cause nasal valve collapse.
- Underlying health conditions. There are many types of underlying health conditions that could cause narrow nasal passages, including deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, nasal vestibular stenosis, choanal atresia, choanal stenosis and pyriform aperture stenosis.
Treatment for Narrow Nasal Passages
There is no universal treatment for narrow nasal passages. Instead, your doctor will treat the specific underlying condition. The goal of treatment may be to widen, stabilize or repair the part of the nose that’s causing symptoms.
Some conditions that require specific treatments include:
- Deviated septum. This is corrected with a surgical procedure known as a septoplasty.
- Nasal valve collapse. This is also treated with surgery if a nasal valve dilator fails to provide relief.
- Inferior turbinate hypertrophy. This can be managed with over-the-counter and surgical solutions.
- Nasal vestibular stenosis. This can be treated with nasal stents.
- Choanal atresia. This requires immediate surgery if it affects both sides. If only one side is affected, supplemental oxygen or saline spray may be effective.
- Pyriform aperture stenosis. This can be treated with saline spray or surgery depending on severity.
- Sleep apnea. This condition can be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or surgery.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Palmetto ENT & Allergy today.