When people experience congestion or difficulty breathing, most of them know to see an ENT specialist as quickly as possible. What most people might not know is that nasal valve collapse could be the reason they’re experiencing these symptoms.
The nasal valve is part of your nasal airway. It’s a very narrow passage through which air flows, and is comprised of the septum, lateral nasal wall and other small structures inside the nose. Doctors refer to any weakness or structural compromising of this area as a nasal valve collapse, especially if it affects air flow.
Nasal Valve Collapse Causes
From the outside, everyone’s noses look different, and the same is true for nasal anatomy on the inside—it’s different for each person. So the causes of nasal valve collapse vary from person to person as well. Here are a few things that could lead to nasal valve collapse symptoms:
- Rhinoplasty. Cosmetic nose surgery that narrows the nose in an extreme way is a common cause of nasal valve collapse.
- Nasal fracture. Any kind of trauma to the nose, including a broken nose, can modify the nasal passage in a way that makes it difficult to breathe.
- Deviated Septum. This occurs when the thin wall that separates your nasal passages is displaced to one side (this can be present at birth or occur after a nose injury).
- Aging. As cartilage weakens, the structure of the nose may weaken as well.
Nasal Valve Collapse Treatment
Relief is available for those that are suffering due to a collapsed nasal valve. Nasal valve collapse surgery is a permanent solution where your nose is given more structural support with the use of cartilage grafts. One of our specialists can help determine if this is the right option for you, as a number of things could be causing difficulty breathing, and an ENT will able to properly diagnose you.
Schedule an Appointment at ENTFPSS
Contact us to set up a consultation with one of our experts and take the first step to breathing easier! We’ll help find the right treatment options for you, and we won’t quit until we find a solution that works.
