Nasal Obstruction

Nasal Obstruction Treatments in San Diego, CA | Silenso Clinic

A frequently undiagnosed condition, nasal obstruction, can arise for several reasons, ranging from mild colds to chronic illnesses such as chronic sinusitis.  

At his specialized Silenso otolaryngology (Ear Nose and Throat, ENT) clinic in Del Mar, CA, Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe offers state-of-the-art solutions to those suffering from nasal obstruction. 

To discuss your nasal obstruction condition and possible solutions with a leading ENT specialist, contact Dr. Schalch Lepe today by calling (858) 925-5800 or filling out this online form. Silenso Clinic is located in Carmel Valley in North San Diego County and serves many communities throughout the greater San Diego area, including La Jolla, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Coronado, Eastlake, Chula Vista, Rancho Santa Fe, and more.  

Dr. Schalch Lepe, MD, FACS at Silenso Clinic in San Diego

Better Breathing Starts Today

Specializing in the treatment of a variety of conditions (deviated septum, nasal obstruction, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.),  Dr. Schalch Lepe is highly qualified and motivated to provide his patients with the best possible treatment results. Dr. Schalch Lepe takes an in-depth, personalized approach with each patient to ensure they receive the best possible treatment for their situation.

Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Dr. Schalch Lepe has the unique perspective of having trained in multiple countries. This experience has led him to be sought out by domestic and international patients, many of whom are Mexican ex-pats living throughout San Diego County and Southern California. 

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What is Nasal Obstruction?

Nasal obstruction is a medical condition in which your nostrils or nasal airways become blocked. This interference inhibits the free flow of air from your nose, back into your throat, and down into your lungs.

In and of itself, nasal obstruction is not a disease or specific illness – rather, it is a symptom of some other underlying medical disorder or anatomical abnormality that causes the nasal passages to become obstructed.

Nasal obstruction may be characterized by:

  • A runny nose
  • A sensation of pressure in the forehead and around the eyes
  • Excessive mucus production
  • Swelling of the nasal tissue
  • Blockage in one or both sides of the nose, which sometimes alternates from side to side

What Triggers a Nasal Obstruction?

Nasal obstruction can occur for several different reasons. The most common reason for nasal congestion is a minor illness, such as the common flu or a cold, causing excess mucus production, which blocks the nasal passageway. In most cases, these episodes of illness-related nasal obstruction generally heal within seven days.

Man wiping nose with tissue

If your nasal obstruction lasts longer than one week, however, you might have an undiagnosed health concern causing your chronic nasal congestion. 

These could include:

  • Environmental  and indoor allergies
  • Nasal polyps (benign tumors in the nasal passages)
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Deviated nasal septum
  • Enlargement of the inferior turbinates
  • Narrow or collapsed nasal valves

At the end of their 3rd trimester of pregnancy, women might also experience hormone-induced nasal obstruction, brought on by hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply. 

Patient Testimonial

Why is a Nasal Obstruction Bad?

In short episodes, nasal obstruction isn’t necessarily harmful to the patient. However, if left untreated, nasal obstruction has knock-on effects on the patient’s overall mental and physical health. 

This is primarily due to how we compensate for having a blocked nose – we breathe through our mouths instead. Nasal breathing has several essential health benefits, particularly during our sleep. 

Our noses are anatomically designed to help us breathe as safely as possible. It does this by:

  • Filtering out foreign particles. Small hairs inside our noses trap dust, pollen, and other allergens to prevent them from entering deeper into the airway.
  • Humidify inhaled air. When we breathe in through our nose, the nasal passageway warms and moisturizes the air as it travels towards the lungs. This makes the gas exchange in the lungs a faster and more efficient process. 
  • Produce nitric oxide. When we focus on nasal breathing, the body naturally releases nitric oxide (NO). NO helps blood vessels all over the body expand, meaning it improves circulation. 

Thus, when we have chronic or extended nasal obstruction, we are forced to breathe through our mouths. 

Mouth breathing is necessary when we require a more rapid intake of oxygen – with an elevated heart rate during intense exercise, for example. 

However, when we habitually breathe through our mouths (as one experiencing nasal obstruction would do), not only does our mouth lose moisture, leading to dry mouth and throat irritation, it also means we breathe unfiltered air directly into our lungs. 

Mouth breathing also leads to snoring, potential sleep apnea, bad breath, and more disturbed sleep. This, in turn, can affect the patients’ concentration, energy levels, and mood. 

In essence, having healthy nasal passageways is essential to leading a full and healthy life. 

Better Breathing Starts Today!

Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe is a renowned breathing and sleep surgeon. His greatest pride is giving his patients the ability to breathe, sleep, and feel their best using the latest, innovative surgical and non-surgical procedures. 

How Do I Know if I Have a Nasal Obstruction?

Identifying nasal obstruction isn’t the hard part – what is difficult is making sure of the underlying cause of the symptom.

You’ll know if you’ve got nasal congestion when:

  • You talk with a higher-pitched, nasally voice
  • You struggle to inhale and exhale through your nose
  • You have nasal drip or mucus dropping either into the throat or from the nose

If these symptoms persist for more than seven days, then we recommend you consult your family general practitioner (GP) to start looking for a solution to the issue. 

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Watch: Patient testimonial Nasal obstruction and sleep

Home Remedies for Nasal Obstruction

Quite often, nasal obstruction can be treated, or at least relieved, at home. 

Gently inhaling steam produced by boiling water can help loosen up mucus and calm aggravated nasal passageways; however, we must stress caution with this method and be very delicate while inhaling the steam. Steam can and will burn if inhaled too strongly and close to the source. 

Inhaling decongestants such as menthol and eucalyptus can open the nasal passageways and provide some relief. 

Tilting the head forward with pillows is also a good option for encouraging mucus to flow forward out of the nose during sleep, providing relief. 

However, as mentioned, when nasal obstruction persists, you might need to see an ENT specialist, such as Dr. Schalch Lepe in San Diego, CA, to get a more permanent solution to your ailment. 

Why Choose Dr. Schalch Lepe as My Nasal Obstruction Specialist in San Diego?

Specializing in the treatment of a variety of conditions (deviated septum, sinus pressure, allergies, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.), Dr. Paul Schach Lepe is highly qualified and motivated to help his patients find relief from nasal obstructions. Dr. Schalch Lepe takes an in-depth, personalized approach with each patient to ensure they receive the best possible treatment for their situation.

Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Dr. Schalch Lepe has the unique perspective of having trained in multiple countries. This experience has led him to be sought out by domestic and international patients, many of whom are Mexican ex-pats living throughout San Diego County and Southern California.

How Will Dr. Schalch Lepe Treat My Nasal Obstruction?

The appropriate treatment method for your nasal obstruction will depend on what is causing your nasal obstruction. Dr. Schalch Lepe will discuss all options available to you, and you might very well find that your nasal obstruction is treatable without surgery. 

The various treatments we have available at Silenso Clinic in San Diego, CA, include:

A surgical procedure to reduce the size of the turbinates and swell bodies in your nasal passages. The turbinates and swell bodies are structures in your sinuses that help warm and humidify the air you inhale.

Nasal valve surgery reshapes the airways within your nose and improves the airflow. 

Endoscopic septoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery to correct a deviated septum. Your provider uses a slender, lighted camera to adjust the position of your septum.

VivAer is a minimally invasive radiofrequency procedure to expand your nasal airway without surgery.

Latera is a dissolvable implant that your provider places to hold your nostrils open for better breathing. 

Helpful Instructional Videos by Dr. Schalch Lepe

Schedule Your Nasal Obstruction Treatment in San Diego, CA

If you or your partner suffer from extended periods of nasal obstruction, then it’s time you take matters into your own hands. Nasal obstruction will negatively impact your sleep, your daily concentration, energy, and mood levels – and you don’t have to live with it. 

Treating nasal obstruction takes specialist training and expertise, and Dr. Schalch Lepe is fully prepared to help you find relief. Offering at-home consultations and a comprehensive follow-up schedule, Dr. Schalch Lepe puts his patients first. Contact (858) 925-5800 or fill out his online form to begin your journey towards a better life. Here at Silenso Clinic, we also offer treatments for a number of other conditions, including deviated septum, chronic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), snoring, and chronic tonsillitis (tonsil stones). 

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