Conditions
Blocked nose and deviated septum
A persistently blocked or congested nose, often worse on one side.
A constantly blocked nose has several causes, including a deviated septum (the wall between the nostrils being bent), swelling of the turbinates inside the nose, allergy, and chronic sinus inflammation. Often more than one factor is involved.
Common symptoms
- Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
- Mouth-breathing and disturbed sleep
- A blocked nose that does not settle with sprays
- Reduced sense of smell
Assessment and treatment
Assessment includes examination of the nose, often with a small endoscope. Treatment ranges from sprays and allergy management to day-case surgery such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction where the structure of the nose is the problem.
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This page is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice.