Nasal airway

The nose is more than the nostrils

Behind the nostrils, air passes through the nasal cavity. The septum divides the nose into two sides. Structures called turbinates lie along the side walls and are covered by a moist lining. The nose helps warm, humidify, and filter incoming air.

Looking at the nostrils from outside does not always explain a blocked sensation. The problem may be farther inside. A clinician can assess where airflow is restricted and what might account for it.

Sources: MedlinePlus: Nose Injuries and Disorders · Nasal Obstruction: Anatomy and Physiology (2018)

What can narrow the passage?

Swelling of the nasal lining can make airflow more difficult. A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates may also contribute. The same phrase—“a stuffy nose”—can describe different problems.

Feeling congested is an observation, not a diagnosis. Describe how the symptoms vary and how long they have lasted. Your primary care provider may assess them or refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist when appropriate.

Sources: MedlinePlus: Nose Injuries and Disorders · Nasal Obstruction: Anatomy and Physiology (2018)

Nasal breathing and snoring

Snoring can involve narrowing in different parts of the upper airway. An intervention aimed at the nose is therefore not automatically an answer to every type of snoring or sleep-related breathing disorder.

Separate two questions: “Can I breathe through my nose more easily?” and “Has my sleep problem been adequately assessed or treated?” You can describe the first as an experience. The second may require a broader medical evaluation.

Sources: NHLBI: What Is Sleep Apnea? · AASM diagnostic testing guideline, 2017, original paper

Make your description more specific

These questions organize information for a consultation. They are not a diagnostic test. Explain what the congestion interferes with, such as breathing comfortably when you lie down.

• Does one side feel blocked, or both?
• Is it constant or does it come and go?
• Does it differ between daytime and nighttime?
• Do you also have a runny nose, sneezing, or other symptoms?
• What have you tried, and what changed?

Understanding the term in an examination report

A statement about good or reduced nasal airflow describes a finding or experience in a particular setting. Ask what the assessment was based on, how it relates to your symptoms, and whether further examination is needed.

A treatment description for the nose is not a general instruction for everyone who snores. Treatment and follow-up should match the problem that was evaluated. Do not use improved nasal airflow as a reason to stop prescribed sleep apnea treatment.