Nasal obstruction in children and adults

 Nasal obstruction

What is a Nasal obstruction

We have to differentiate between the causes of nasal obstruction in children and adults.

Nasal obstruction in children:

Rhinitis (cold): The child breathes in the first weeks of his life, through the nose only, so any minor rhinitis provokes difficulties in breathing and eating. As a treatment, fluids are aspirated or salt water is distilled into the nose. Young children should not be treated with nasal drops.

Adenoids: The adenoid or amygdala, located in the back of the nose, when the amygdala enlarges, a blockage in the nose results, which leads to the phenomenon of the open mouth, discomfort in the inhalation, disturbances in speaking, fluid gathering in the ears, snoring, Sometimes sleep apnea occurs. The treatment recommended depends on the severity of the obstruction, from drug therapy to surgery to remove the tonsil (adenopharynx).

Nasal obstruction in adults:

Allergy: The mucous membranes of the nose swell, in case of exposure to the allergen, and begin to secrete mucus, and the nose becomes clogged as a result of these secretions. The preventive treatment is through drugs and sometimes a special treatment against allergies.

Deviated septum: the septum is located between the two nasal cavities, the septum deviates, causing one or both sides of the nose to be closed. The causes of septal deviation may be congenital or result from an injury to the nose.

Many people have a deviated septum, but this thing does not cause difficulty breathing, with age, the tissues begin to relax and fall at the tip of the nose. This change causes difficulty breathing that requires medical treatment.

The treatment is by surgery, as it corrects the nasal septum, without compromising the surrounding mucous membrane.

3. Sinusititis: The sinuses are cavities located inside the skull, and any case of viral or bacterial infection leads to the fullness, swelling and blockage of the mucous membranes of the nose.
The treatment includes relieving the fullness, if the cause of the sinusitis is bacterial, then the treatment focuses on the administration of antibiotics, and when the sinusitis persists or recurs, or is accompanied by the emergence of polyps, then surgical treatment should be chosen.

4. Nasal concha: On both sides of the nasal septum, there are three dendrites covered with a mucous membrane, called the nasal turbinates, the goal of which is to expand the inner surface of the nasal mucosa, the conchs sometimes enlarge, especially the lower ones, and cause a blockage in the nose.

The treatment is to reduce the size of the vessels by excision or cauterization (burning), with an electric needle acting on sound waves.