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Conditions We Treat
TIPS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR NOSE AND LUNGS
If your nose is dry, its various functions will be impaired. Try over-the-counter salt-water (saline) nasal mists and sprays to help maintain nasal health. These can be used liberally and at your discretion.
Beware of over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays (eg. Afrin). Prolonged use of these sprays may damage the nose and sinuses. Decongestants nasal sprays can become addictive and actually cause nasal congestion to get worse.
Think of your nose when you’re traveling. In airplanes and air-conditioned cruise ships, the air is very dry and contains a lot of recirculated particles and germs; a dry nose is more susceptible to germs. Use saline nasal mist frequently during the flight, and drink lots of water.
THE STUFFY NOSE
Stuffy nose or nasal congestion is a symptom caused by a remarkable array of different disorders, and San Francisco ENT and Allergy, with its unique two specialty approach and a special interest in managing nasal and sinus disorders, offer the appropriate treatment(s) based on the specific causes.
The causes of Nasal stuffiness or congestion and/or obstruction can be classified into four main categories:
1. Sinus Infections, acute and chronic2. Structural abnormalities3. Allergic4. Non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis.
Overlap can exist between these categories and that it is not unusual for a patient to have more than one factor involved,
2. Structural abnormalities
Deformities of the nose and deviated nasal septum Can obstruct breathing – These are usually the result of an injury, often unrecognized, many having occurred in childhood and long forgotten.
Treatment: A Septoplasty is the treatment of choice for this condition. It is a same day relatively minor procedure.
Enlargement of the nasal turbinates large structures along the inside of the nose can be a major cause of nasal obstruction. They are often enlarged from chronic nasal allergy and nasal septum abnormalities.
Treatment: radiofrequency turbinate reduction. A simple, pain-free in-office procedure without undergoing surgery. This option can provide dramatic and permanent relief of chronic nasal congestion.
3. Nasal Allergies
Allergic rhinitis (See ALLERGY section)
Seasonal allergic rhinitis — known as hay fever - usually due to trees, grasses and weed pollens, and mold spores. Are more common in spring and summer.
Perennial allergic rhinitis,-usually due to dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and/or foods.
4. Non-allergic or Vasomotor Rhinitis
Has similar year round symptoms to perennial allergic rhinitis and can mimic allergic rhinitis.
Nerves control the blood vessels and membranes in the nose have an abundant supply of blood vessels, which have the ability to expand and constrict. This particularly affects the nasal turbinates which are extremely vascular.
Under certain circumstances these nasal blood vessels expand, leading to vasomotor rhinitis.
Common causes:
● Changes in the weather, barometric pressure, and/or temperature. ● Psychological stress,● Inadequate thyroid function, ● Pregnancy,● Some blood pressure drugs,● Prolonged overuse of decongestant nasal sprays,● Exposure to irritants like perfumes and tobacco smoke.
Treatment● Nasal saline sprays● Nasal drying sprays eg. Ipratropium