Ever Feel Like You Have a Clothespin on Your Nose?
More than 20 million Americans have obstructed nasal breathing that places real limitations on their quality of life. 1About 70% of the airflow to your lungs comes through your nose, 2so it’s no wonder a nasal obstruction would compromise your ability to breathe.3
Nasal airway obstructions cause symptoms like 4:
- Nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Feelings of nasal blockage or obstruction
- Problems breathing through your nose
- Sleep disturbances
- Inability to inhale enough air through your nose during physical exertion
Why Would I Have a Nasal Obstruction?
Just inside your nose is an area called the nasal valve. It’s comprised of three main structures of tissue, cartilage and bone. One of these structures is the cartilage in the lateral (side) wall of your nose which normally resists the pressure of airflow as you breathe in. If this cartilage is inadequate or weak, it will allow your nasal wall to cave in as you inhale, which significantly reduces the airflow into your nose.5,6,7 This condition is called Nasal Valve Collapse and is considered one of the main causes of nasal airway obstruction.8,9
