Narrow Nostrils Making it Hard to Breathe?

If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may be attributing it to anything other than your narrow nostrils. Many people think that allergies are the culprit for their congestion when in reality, it’s the structure of the nose that is causing complications. Breathing strips and other treatment methods may fail to open the nasal passages and allow proper inhalation. When you have exhausted all options, it may be time to consider a rhinoplasty that uses structural grafts or minor surgical revisions to improve breathing.

WHAT IS THE UNDERLYING CAUSE?

Difficulties breathing can be attributed to a number of structural issues with your nose. One condition — a deviated septum — is often to blame when you have trouble breathing. The condition is characterised by a nose that looks crooked, which occurs when the cartilage in between each nostril is off centre. One or both nostrils can become blocked by the cartilage, making it hard to inhale. A deviated septum can be either mild or severe and appears due to injury or is present at birth.

Another condition known to affect breathing is the collapse of an inner nasal valve, which occurs when the bridge of the nose is too thin to pass air efficiently. Rather than expand outward during inhalation, those with a collapsed nasal valve will have nostrils that contract while breathing, which makes breathing more difficult. Oftentimes the condition will make itself known with the appearance of a hump on the bridge of the nose and like a deviated septum, a collapsed nasal valve can be present at birth or acquired through injury or previous surgery.

Normally, patients aren’t aware that structural damage is the cause of their breathing troubles and will assume that sinus infections, allergies or sleep apnea are to blame. However, through the trial and error of different treatment techniques, they soon realise that the issue lies within the nose itself, rather than other external factors. 

Although it may not seem as though nasal issues are a cause for medical concern, certain conditions can create disordered breathing, which forces those affected to breathe through their mouths. Breathing through the mouth can, at times, disrupt sleep through snoring or sleep apnea, which in turn can affect your ability to remain alert throughout the day. Additionally, forced intake of air through exercise or other rigorous activities can become challenging or even painful. Being unable to breathe through your nose properly can compromise your quality of life.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR NOSE MAKES IT HARD TO BREATHE

When you have reason to believe that your nose is making it hard to breathe, you may consider visiting a plastic surgeon like Dr Damon Thomas who performs rhinoplasty. A surgical procedure that can correct the abnormalities in your nose can provide a permanent solution to help you breathe with ease.

The extent of the surgery you receive will depend on the severity of your condition. For patients who have a deviated septum, surgery requires removing the excess cartilage that is making it difficult to breathe. Those who have a collapsed nasal valve, however, may require the use of cartilage grafts (known as spacer grafts) to enlarge or harden the nasal passages so that air can easily pass through.

Grafts are frequently used for rhinoplasty when creating an aesthetic result and they are typically taken from parts of your own body, most commonly from the nasal septum, but also areas such as the ribs, ear or scalp. The graft is added to the collapsed portion of the nose to create additional support, which will keep the nostrils from contracting and make it easier to breathe. Additionally, the placement of a nasal graft usually improves the appearance of the nose, giving you the dual benefit of both structural and cosmetic surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER SURGERY

A consultation for rhinoplasty usually involves a discussion with your plastic surgeon regarding your reasons for wanting surgery. When it comes to medical conditions, your surgeon will examine your nose and locate the areas that are causing concern. 

If it is decided that rhinoplasty is the best treatment option for you, your surgeon will explain how the surgery will be performed as well as the risks, recovery and price of the procedure. You are free to ask any and all questions regarding your rhinoplasty and can even discuss cosmetic alterations you might desire in addition to structural changes.

Because the procedure involves significant alterations to the nose, general anaesthesia is used to ensure your comfort during surgery. If a graft is needed, it will be taken before the rhinoplasty begins. The incisions for a rhinoplasty are usually created within the nose, on and around the cartilage separating the nostrils. Without the cartilage obstructing the interior of the nose, grafts can be placed and corrections can be made to the septum if necessary. It’s typical for rhinoplasty to last between two to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.

You will experience some bruising on your nose and around your eyes, which typically subsides within a few weeks. This swelling can take some time to go down, and cartilage undergoes changes gradually, so you may not see the full extent of your results until a year of recovery. 

Once your nose has healed, you should be breathing easier and your nose will no longer be the reason why you feel congested so frequently. If you believe that your difficulties breathing are due to structural issues with your nose, then contact Dr Thomas on (03) 9034 7738 and schedule a consultation. With a proper examination, we will be able to help you decide whether rhinoplasty can provide the help you need to breathe easy.

MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION

Our website is intended to provide general information about rhinoplasty and should not be used as a substitute for personalised medical advice. It is important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if nose surgery is the right procedure for you. The following considerations should be part of your decision-making process.

Risks

All surgical procedures carry risk. The potential risks and complications associated with rhinoplasty include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, difficulty breathing through the nose, significant and long-lasting swelling, scarring, and the need for revision surgery. It is important to understand the risks involved and weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of surgery before undergoing rhinoplasty.

Recovery

Recovery time after rhinoplasty may vary depending on the individual, the extent of the procedure, and the technique used. In general, patients should be prepared to experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising after surgery. Patients must also be prepared to take time off work and other activities and follow post-operative instructions to promote proper healing and minimise the risk of complications.

Results

Individual results may vary depending on a number of factors, including the patient’s natural nose shape and skin thickness and the surgical technique employed. It is critical to have realistic expectations about the outcome of rhinoplasty and understand that each patient’s outcome will be unique. It is also important to know that the final results of rhinoplasty may not be visible for months, as it can take a long time for the swelling to completely subside and for the nose to settle into its final appearance.

If you have any questions or concerns about nose surgery, please do not hesitate to contact us.