Nasal passageways that are blocked by an anatomic abnormality or disease. Nasal obstruction can force mouth-breathing and decrease athletic endurance and performance.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

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• Obstruction of air through the nose.
• Crooked nose (with deviated septum, sometimes).
• Impaired sense of smell.
• Nasal discharge.
• Facial pain (sometimes).
• Headaches (sometimes).
• Frequent sneezing.
• Wheezing (sometimes) with allergic rhinitis. 
  

  CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

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• Deviated nasal septum.
• Previous nose injury.
• Nasal polyps.
• Hay fever (allergic rhinitis), especially during spring and fall when the pollen count is highest.
• Nasal infections (common cold and other infections).
• Sinusitis or chronic nasal infection.
• Smoking. 
  

  HOW TO PREVENT

  Most forms of obstruction cannot be prevented. To minimize obstruction caused by allergic reactions:

• Obtain medical treatment for underlying allergies with desensitization procedures.
• Install an air-purification unit in your home’s heating and air-conditioning system. 
  

  WHAT TO EXPECT

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  DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the face.
• Allergy skin tests. 
  

  SURGERY

  Often necessary to correct a deviated nasal septum or to remove nasal polyps.
   

  

   

  NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESS

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• Nasal polyps and deviated septum are usually curable with surgery.
• Other causes of obstruction usually can be controlled with treatment. 
  

  POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

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• Hampered athletic performance.
• Recurrent nosebleeds.
• Sleeping difficulty and chronic fatigue.
• Sinus infections.
• Middle-ear infections.
• Repeated nasal infections. 
  

  HOW TO TREAT

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  NOTE — Follow your doctor’s instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
   

  MEDICAL TREATMENT

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• Doctor’s care for desensitization procedures for allergic disorders.
• Surgery for deviated septum and polyps. 
  

  HOME TREATMENT

  For allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps, eliminate as many allergens in your environment as possible. Prepare your bedroom as follows:

• Empty the room of furniture, rugs or carpet, and drapes or curtains.
• Clean the walls, woodwork and floors with a damp mop. Wax the floor.
• Take the mattress and box springs outside and vacuum or clean them. Cover the box springs, mattress and pillows with plastic covers.
• Use only rugs that can be washed weekly.
• Use bedclothes that can be washed often, such as cotton sheets, washable mattress pads and synthetic fiber blankets. Don’t use chenille bedspreads, quilts or comforters.
• Use wood or plastic chairs–not stuffed chairs. Use plastic curtains, if possible. Dust them daily.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Don’t handle objects that are very dusty, such as books, stored clothing or stuffed toys.
• Remove all pets (except fish) from the house. 
  

  

  MEDICATION

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• To reduce the body’s allergic response, your doctor may prescribe: antihistamines; decongestants; corticosteroid eye drops or nasal spray; corticosteroid tablets (severe cases only); or cromolyn nasal spray. These medications relieve symptoms, but they don’t cure hay fever.
• Densensitization injections may be helpful for known allergens.
• If surgery is necessary, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics to prevent or treat post-surgical infection. 

   

  

  ACTIVITY

  No restrictions except those imposed by the obstruction.
   

  DIET

  No special diet.
   

  CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF

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• You have severe symptoms of nasal obstruction that are interfering with your normal activities, including sports performance.
• You have allergies and develop signs of infection, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or thick, discolored nasal discharge.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.