Nasal collapse occurs when the nasal passages weaken, making breathing difficult and sometimes altering the nose’s appearance. Early recognition is important for effective treatment.
Understanding Nasal Collapse
Nasal collapse occurs when the nasal valves, narrow areas within the nasal cavity, weaken or narrow, obstructing airflow. The nose has two main nasal valves: the internal nasal valve, located deeper inside, and the external nasal valve, found at the nostril opening. These valves are primarily supported by cartilage. When this cartilage weakens, the airway narrows, leading to partial or complete blockage on one or both sides. The internal nasal valve is the narrowest part of the upper airway, and even minor alterations here can significantly impact breathing.
Recognizing the Signs
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils is a common sign of nasal collapse. This obstruction can feel like constant stuffiness or congestion, even without allergies or a cold. The breathing difficulty may worsen during physical activity or when lying down.
A feeling that the nostril is “closing in” or “sucking in” during deep inhalation directly indicates nasal valve collapse. This can be observed as a visible narrowing or pinching of the nostrils, particularly during inhalation. For external nasal valve collapse, the nostril may visibly collapse inward, while internal collapse might appear as a pinching in the middle of the nose.
Changes in the appearance of the nose can also signal collapse. The nose might look thinner or sunken in certain areas, or present with crookedness or asymmetry. The tip of the nose may drop down if the supporting cartilage weakens.
Other symptoms include frequent mouth breathing, especially at night, which can lead to snoring and sleep disturbances. Individuals might experience nosebleeds or crusting around the nostrils. Fatigue and poor sleep quality can also result from struggling to breathe adequately through the nose.
Causes of Nasal Collapse
Nasal collapse often stems from weakened cartilage supporting the nasal valves. Common causes include previous nasal surgery, such as rhinoplasty, which can weaken supporting tissues. Trauma or injury to the nose, including direct hits, can also weaken these structures or result in a deviated septum.
Aging naturally contributes to cartilage thinning. Certain anatomical differences also increase risk, such as a deviated septum, where the cartilage and bone dividing the nostrils are not straight, making one passage narrower. Narrow nostrils, a wide columella, or an over-projecting nose can also predispose an individual to nasal collapse.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you experience persistent difficulty breathing through your nose, especially if it persists after allergy or cold symptoms resolve, seeking medical attention is advisable. Consulting an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, or a plastic surgeon specializing in nasal issues, is recommended. These specialists are equipped to diagnose nasal collapse and differentiate it from other conditions that present with similar symptoms, such as chronic sinusitis.
Early diagnosis is important as nasal collapse can worsen if left unaddressed. A healthcare provider can perform a detailed medical history and physical examination of the nose. They might also use tests like the Cottle maneuver, where the cheek is gently pulled outward to see if it improves breathing, or a nasal endoscopy to view the internal structures.
Treatment Options
Once nasal collapse is diagnosed, various treatment options are available, from non-surgical to surgical correction. Non-surgical methods can offer temporary relief for milder cases. These include external nasal strips that lift the skin to open nostrils or internal nasal dilators inserted into each nostril to press the cartilage outward.
For more lasting solutions, surgical intervention is often necessary, especially if significant or causing considerable breathing difficulties. Surgical procedures aim to reinforce the weakened nasal structures and improve airflow. Common surgical techniques involve using cartilage grafts, often from the patient’s own septum, ear, or rib, to strengthen and support the nasal valve. In some cases, procedures like septoplasty to correct a deviated septum or turbinate reduction may be performed alongside nasal valve repair.