Nose Q&A
When you can’t manage persistent nasal congestion with medications, you can find solutions for lasting congestion relief at Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates. Board-certified nasal surgeon Said Sana, DO provides contemporary surgery techniques to address the root cause of nasal congestion so you can breathe easier during the day and at night when you sleep. Dr. Sana can realign a deviated septum and remove polyps and other obstructions to improve your breathing with long-lasting results.
Call the Conroe or Spring, Texas office to schedule an evaluation for nasal congestion or book a consultation online today.
Nasal Congestion Q & A
What causes nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion can result from environmental substances like smoke or dust that irritate your nasal passageways and make breathing through your nose difficult. You can also experience nasal congestion when you have a viral or bacterial infection in your upper respiratory tract that inflames the tissues in your sinus cavity.
Structural issues in your nasal passages, like polyps, deviated septum, collapsed nasal valves, or enlarged nasal turbinates, can interfere with your breathing.
Other causes of acute and chronic nasal congestion include:
• Allergies
• Dry or cold air
• Thyroid disorders
• Use of certain medications
Young children may also develop nasal congestion if they insert small toys, coins, or other foreign objects into their noses.
Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates offers comprehensive care for nasal congestion. Dr. Sana can identify the source of your congestion and customize a care plan to treat it.
When should I seek medical care for nasal congestion?
Schedule an evaluation at Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates if you have persistent nasal congestion but can’t find relief with decongestants or allergy medications.
Dr. Sana physically examines your nasal passages and sinuses to identify inflammation, polyps, and other causes of congestion. He may also order blood work and other diagnostic tests to rule out a thyroid disorder or other medical condition.
How is nasal congestion treated?
When you can’t find relief from chronic nasal congestion with medications or other nonsurgical therapies, Dr. Sana may recommend nasal surgery. He performs several nasal surgeries, including:
Septoplasty
Septoplasty is a surgical treatment for a deviated septum, the displacement of the cartilage that divides your nasal passages. This surgery focuses on realigning the wall to widen narrowed nasal passages and improve your breathing.
Inferior Turbinate Reduction
Turbinates are the thin, scroll-shaped bones in your nasal passageways that can increase in size due to chronic inflammation and untreated allergies. Inflammation can decrease nasal airspace, a condition known as turbinate hypertrophy.
Inferior turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of nasal turbinates, so you can breathe more efficiently through your nose.
Nasal Valve Procedure
If the sidewalls at the tip of your nose collapse, it can prevent air from flowing freely. A procedure in the office is available to remodel the walls to improve breathing.
Deviated Septum Q & A
What is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum describes the displacement of the nasal septum, the thin wall that separates your nasal passages.
A deviated septum can result from trauma to your nose, chronic inflammation, or age-related changes in your nasal tissues. You can also be born with a deviated septum if your nasal passages don’t form properly.
Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates offers surgical repair services for a deviated septum in adults and children. Dr. Sana specializes in advanced surgical techniques to realign the septum to improve your breathing.
When should I seek medical care for a deviated septum?
Many people with a deviated septum don’t experience bothersome symptoms that require treatment. Dr. Sana can monitor your condition and recommend treatment if a deviated septum begins to interfere with your breathing.
If you have a severe displacement of the septum, you can schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Houston Ear Allergy and Rhinology Surgical Associates to find out if you’re a candidate for surgery.
Symptoms of a deviated septum can include:
• Persistent nasal congestion
• Difficulty breathing
• Face pressure or pain
• Noisy breathing
• Breathing-related sleep disruptions
• Nosebleeds
Dr. Sana performs an exam of your nasal passages to identify a deviated septum and check for inflammation, polyps, and other nasal obstructions. He customizes a care plan to restore alignment in your septum and improve your breathing.
How is a deviated septum treated?
You may find relief of nasal congestion with decongestants or allergy medications. If you have a moderate to severe deviated septum, Dr. Sana may recommend septoplasty.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to straighten the septum and realign its position in the center of your nose. Dr. Sana uses advanced surgical techniques to minimize your risk of scarring and other surgical complications.
After surgery, you should notice a significant improvement in your breathing. If you have allergies or chronic sinusitis, you may still need to take medications to prevent recurrent nasal congestion that results from inflammation in the nasal passages.