Nose Problems

Common nose problems ( *choose a topic)*
adenoids	rhinitis
cosmetic nose	sinusitis
nasal discharge with pus	sleep apnea
nose bleeds	snoring
nose cancer	stuffy nose (plugged nose)
polyps

Introduction:

Nose related problems are very common in the general population. The most common one perhaps is a plugged up nose from the common cold. Other people may react to the environment with an allergic rhinitis. Polypoid lesions in the nose can make it difficult to breathe as well.

After a nose fracture there may be a deformed nose and a nasal septum deformity making it difficult to breathe through one of the nostrils. Sinus problems can give unrelenting headaches. In children there are often enlarged adenoid glands that can obstruct breathing in the back of the nose and upper pharynx. Nose bleeds (epistaxis) can be very annoying, but they are common and should be attended to. One of the causes can be liver disease that might have led to coagulation problems. Other causes of nose bleeds might be undiagnosed cancer of the nose inside one of the nasal cavities.

Cosmetic Nose ("Nose Job", Nose Reconstruction)

Some people are born with a "crooked nose", others sustain it after a nose fracture from an accident or a fight. The end result is a nasal septum deviation where the separating wall between the right and left nasal cavities is deformed. Patients often snore and complain about difficulties breathing on one side of the nose. This can be surgically corrected in a small surgical procedure, called rhinoplasty. Here is a link, which explains this in more detail and shows before and after rhinoplasty pictures (use return key in left upper corner of your screen to return to this page).

Home Page

ENT Overview

Nose Problems

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. James Chin et al., Editors: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th edition, 2000, American Public Health Association.

2. Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 16th ed., 2000, W. B. Saunders Company

3. J M Hickner et al. Ann Emerg Med 37(6): 703-710. June 2001.

4. Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed.,2001 Mosby, Inc.

5. Abeloff: Clinical Oncology, 2nd ed.,2000,Churchill Livingstone, Inc.

Last Modified: Jan. 16, 2008