1. Do you have difficulty breathing through your nose?
2. Do you suffer from frequent headaches?
Many things cause headaches, and not all headaches can be explained. Nasal obstruction,
chronic sinusitis and
acute sinus infections can cause headaches. Some surgeons also believe that headaches may occur due to the physical contact of certain structures in the nose. Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
3. Do you often experience facial pain or pressure?
Pressure and pain are the consequence of too much tissue filling up a small space (the nose). Swollen, inflamed tissue can be caused by an upper respiratory infection, allergies, or some of the other factors listed in the explanation for question 1. Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
4. Do you have nasal congestion consistently on one side or the other?
If you experience nasal obstruction consistently on one side, you may have a
deviated septum . This means that the cartilage separating the two halves of your nose is deviated or crooked, which can interfere with airflow and breathing through your nose. Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
5. Do you have nasal congestion that changes from one side during one part of the day to the other side during another part of the day?
Nasal congestion that switches from side to side during the day may indicate an enlarged turbinate.
Enlarged turbinates can cause significant breathing problems, including
obstructive sleep apnea . Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
6. Do you have occasional to frequent sinus infections?
Frequent sinus infections may be caused by nasal obstruction, which prevents proper drainage and allows bacteria to multiply. However, frequent sinus infections could also mean that you have
chronic sinusitis . Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
7. Do you experience difficulty sleeping because of snoring, dry throat and/or nasal drainage?
Nasal obstruction can be a factor in all of the symptoms listed in this question. It can disrupt your sleep by contributing to snoring and/or mouth-breathing, which can make your throat feel dry. In addition, nasal obstruction can lead to dry throat because it interferes with the way your nasal passages normally moisten the air you breathe. Difficulty sleeping due to snoring may also be an indication of
obstructive sleep apnea . Finally, nasal obstruction may be related to
sinusitis and uncomfortable nasal drainage because it can interfere with normal mucus flow. Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
8. Do you have a decreased sense of smell?
Nasal obstruction can affect your sense of smell (and taste, since the two are related). Changes in the sense of smell are most often associated with the common cold, allergies, and nasal congestion. However,
nasal polyps can reduce your ability to smell, too, as well as previous surgeries that may have damaged or blocked the nerve cells associated with smell. Consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for an evaluation of your symptoms.
9. Has a doctor ever recommended nasal steroid spray for an extended period of time?
Extended use of nasal steroid spray can indicate the presence of nasal obstruction, but it may not be significant enough to require surgery. However, if your symptoms recur or persist despite past or current use of nasal steroids, consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist for further evaluation.
10. Do you snore at night and often feel sleepy during the day?
Nasal obstruction can contribute to snoring; however,
obstructive sleep apnea , whose origin could be at the tongue base and/or palate, could also be a factor. Sleep apnea is a serious condition, so it's important to consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Thank you for taking the nasal obstruction quiz.
