30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
I want you to imagine yourself driving down Main Street in Downtown Royal Oak – let’s say you’re on your way to work – when you notice a sudden lane closure coming up on the right hand side of the road.
And just like that, your morning commute turns into morning chaos.
Traffic gets backed up, drivers aren’t letting other drivers merge, several cars are honking at each other, stress is high, you’re moving at a snail’s pace – just about everything that could go wrong is going wrong.
Now, I want you to think of that road as the nasal passages in your nose.
And that lane closure is a little something we like to call nasal obstruction.
Instead of cars getting backed up, your nose is getting stuffy and congested. Instead of cars honking, you’re constantly sneezing (and snoring). Instead of struggling to merge, you’re struggling to breathe.
If this is what life has been like for you lately, then you’re not alone – and we want to help!
Nasal obstruction refers to any condition or injury that partially or completely blocks the flow of air through the nasal cavity. It’s something we’ll all experience and affects more than 20 million Americans every year.
Symptoms include difficulty breathing, mouth breathing, snoring, loss of smell, and facial pain/pressure.
While treatment does exist (and can usually be completed at home), it often depends on what’s causing the obstruction and how severe the obstruction is – two things you and your doctor will need to figure out.
But don’t worry – that’s what The Rontal Clinic is here for.
Nasal obstruction can be caused by a wide range of factors (both internal and external), but we take the time to understand each and every patient to ensure they receive the best possible treatment that exists.
With that said, in our experience, here are some of the most common causes of nasal obstruction.
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose, and is characterized by symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, and (in general) nasal obstruction or blockage.
Rhinitis can also be classified as infectious rhinitis (which is usually caused by viral infections like the common cold or flu) and chronic rhinitis (when the symptoms of rhinitis persist for more than 12 weeks).
Sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection, is the inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses – which are eight small, air-filled cavities located within the bones around the nose, forehead, and cheeks.
Most cases of sinusitis are acute sinusitis and will resolve within a week or two.
Chronic sinusitis is any sinus infection that lasts longer than 12 weeks (3 months).
Healthy sinuses are filled with air, but complications arise when they become blocked and filled with fluid. At that point, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria and harbor germs that cause an infection.
Enlarged adenoids, also known as adenoid hypertrophy, refers to the sudden or abnormal enlargement of the adenoids – a patch of lymphoid tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage (upper throat).
Like the tonsils, the adenoids help trap and destroy pathogens that enter the body.
But like most anatomic structures, the adenoids are in no way perfect – by any means.
Repeated or persistent infections can cause the adenoids to become enlarged as they try to fight off the pathogens, but it can also be caused by excessive or prolonged exposure to certain allergens or irritants.
Nasal polyps are noncancerous, soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses due to chronic inflammation. They can vary in size and are often shaped like teardrops or grapes.
Smaller nasal polyps generally don’t cause any noticeable symptoms.
But as the polyps grow larger, they could start to block the nasal cavity.
Nasal polyps affect up to 40% of the general population. Anyone can get them (though men are twice as likely), and some people may never know they have it – especially if symptoms are minor or unnoticeable.
A deviated septum is when the nasal septum, a thin wall of bone and cartilage that splits the nasal cavity into two nostrils, is displaced to one side – resulting in one nasal passage being smaller than the other.
Some people are born with it, while others develop it after an injury or during a growth spurt.
Either way, a deviated septum can (and will) result in nasal obstruction in one or both nasal passages.
If medication isn’t doing enough to manage your symptoms, your doctor will recommend septoplasty – a surgical procedure that straightens the septum to improve airflow through one or both nasal passages.
Is your nose stuffed up? Are you feeling congested? Are your symptoms persisting longer than a week or two? Do you have frequent headaches, facial pressure, or pain in the face? Does life feel like a battle?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions above, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place.
Welcome to The Rontal Clinic – where the Royal Oak community can take a deep breath of fresh air.
With a proven track record of successful outcomes and a commitment to patient well-being, The Rontal Clinic is your trusted partner in overcoming nasal obstruction – no matter what the root cause of it is.
Don’t hesitate to call or text us today at (248) 737-4030 or schedule an appointment online to learn more!