Denton County Living Well Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 34

Allergies? Stuffy Nose?
By: Russell J. Otto, MD, FACS

S

tuffy nose is a condition that has plagued most
adults at one time or another. It is an inability to
breath easily through the nose. It may be a short
term problem or a chronic condition, sometimes with serious consequences. The basic problem lies either with the
bone and cartilage that form the structure of the nose or
with the membranes that line the nose. Many people have a
combination of structure and membrane abnormalities that
contribute to the symptoms.
Structural problems can arise at any time in life. Trauma
to the nose can produce damage that causes deviation of the

Ears, Nose, Throat Conditions
Adult & Pediatric
Head & Neck Tumors
Sinusitis
Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy

nasal bones or of the nasal septum. The septum divides the
nose into left and right sides. Deviation of the septum can
occur gradually and not become obvious until adulthood.
A hole can develop in the septum for various reasons. The
hole can lead to turbulent air flow that is perceived as congestion.
Membrane problems arise in several ways. Infections
such as the common cold and sinusitis directly affect the
membranes. Allergies are another common cause of stuffiness. Hormonal changes such as with thyroid conditions or
pregnancy can also lead to congestion. Vasomotor rhinitis
is another condition that occurs more commonly in older
adults that causes variable restriction to breathing. Some
medications taken to treat other conditions can produce a
stuffy nose as a consequence. Much less commonly, a tumor
can arise in the nose leading to airflow obstruction.
When a stuffy nose develops, simple measures are best to
try first. If a cold or allergy is suspected, then several overthe-counter remedies are available to try. Saline irrigation
is quite helpful to remove excess mucus, soothe the tissues,
and provide some temporary relief to the congestion. If the
congestion persists beyond 10-14 days and home remedies
have been unsuccessful, then a thorough evaluation would
be helpful to find the reason for the symptoms. Prescription medication, allergy desensitization, or nasal surgery
are treatment options to consider to []