If your nose always feels blocked, especially when you breathe in deeply, it could be more than allergies; it might be nasal valve collapse. This often-overlooked structural problem can significantly affect your ability to breathe through your nose, leading to chronic nasal obstruction and a host of frustrating breathing issues. Understanding the causes of nasal valve collapse is the first step toward finding relief and improving your quality of life.
What Is the Nasal Valve?
To grasp the symptoms of nasal valve collapse, you have to understand the nasal valve itself. The nasal valve is the narrowest and most critical part of the nasal airway, acting like a natural bottleneck that regulates the flow of air into your lungs. It plays an important role in controlling airflow and resistance during breathing.
There are two main components:
- Internal Nasal Valve: This is the angle formed by the septum (the wall dividing your nostrils) and the upper lateral cartilage (the cartilage in the middle part of your nose). This area is highly dynamic and prone to collapse.
- External Nasal Valve: This refers to the nostril opening itself, supported by the alar cartilage (the cartilage that forms the outer part of your nostril) and the surrounding soft tissues.
Even a slight weakness or narrowing in either of these areas can significantly impede airflow.
What Is Nasal Valve Collapse?
Nasal valve collapse occurs when the nasal valve area, either internal or external, weakens or narrows, causing it to collapse inward during inhalation. This inward collapse effectively reduces the cross-sectional area of the airway, severely limiting airflow and making breathing through the nose feel much more difficult, often like trying to breathe through a pinched straw.
Causes of Nasal Valve Collapse
Nasal valve collapse can stem from a variety of factors, often related to the delicate structure of the nose:
- Structural Causes: Some individuals are simply born with weaker nasal cartilage, making them predisposed to collapse.
- Trauma or Injury to the Nose: A fractured nose or other significant nasal trauma can damage the supportive cartilage, leading to collapse.
- Previous Nasal Surgery: Paradoxically, prior nasal surgeries, such as rhinoplasty, can sometimes weaken the nasal cartilages if too much cartilage is removed or if the remaining structures are not adequately supported. This is often referred to as “over-resection.”
- Aging: As we age, the cartilage in our nose, like other tissues in the body, can lose some of its inherent strength and elasticity, making it more susceptible to collapse.
- Inflammatory Conditions or Scarring: Chronic inflammation or scar tissue formation within the nasal passages can sometimes contribute to narrowing or weakening of the nasal valve area.
- Weak Nasal Cartilage: This can be a natural predisposition or a result of certain diseases that affect connective tissue.
Also Read: The Benefits of Nasal Surgery: A Breath of Relief for Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Symptoms of Nasal Valve Collapse
The symptoms of nasal valve collapse are primarily related to compromised airflow and can significantly impact daily life. If you experience persistent nasal blockage or other breathing issues, consider these common indicators:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially during physical exertion or exercise.
- Nasal obstruction that worsens when lying down, as gravity can further contribute to the collapse.
- A persistent feeling of “blocked” nose, even if your sinuses feel clear and you don’t have typical allergy or cold symptoms.
- Noisy or whistling breathing, particularly when inhaling deeply.
- Mouth breathing, especially at night, can lead to a dry mouth, sore throat, and contribute to snoring.
- Fatigue or poor sleep due to reduced airflow and disturbed sleep patterns.
How Nasal Valve Collapse Is Diagnosed
Accurate diagnosis of nasal valve collapse requires the expertise of a specialist, such as an ENT or a facial plastic surgeon.
- Physical Examination: A thorough examination of your nose is the first step.
- The “Cottle Maneuver”: This simple yet effective test involves gently pulling your cheek outwards, away from your nose, while you inhale. If your breathing significantly improves, it strongly suggests nasal valve collapse.
- Nasal Endoscopy or Imaging: In some cases, your doctor may use a small, flexible scope (nasal endoscope) to visualize the internal structures of your nose or order imaging tests to further assess the extent of the collapse and rule out other causes of nasal obstruction.
Treatment Options for Nasal Valve Collapse
Fortunately, several effective treatment options are available for nasal valve collapse, ranging from non-surgical approaches to more definitive surgical solutions.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Many people look for ways to fix nasal valve collapse without surgery. These methods aim to provide temporary relief by mechanically supporting the nasal valve or addressing contributing factors:
- External Nasal Strips (like Breathe Right® strips): These adhesive strips apply gentle tension to the outer nose, pulling the nostrils open and stabilizing the nasal valve. They can be particularly helpful at night or during exercise.
- Nasal Dilators: These can be internal devices (placed inside the nostril) or external devices that work similarly to nasal strips. They help to prop open the nasal passages.
- Managing Underlying Inflammation or Allergies: If allergies or inflammation contribute to swelling and compromise the nasal airway, treating these conditions can sometimes alleviate symptoms.
Surgical Treatments
For more severe or persistent cases of nasal valve collapse, surgical intervention may be the most effective solution. These procedures aim to permanently strengthen and stabilize the nasal valve:
- Cartilage Grafting: This is a common and highly effective technique. Small pieces of cartilage (often taken from the septum, ear, or rib) are used to reinforce weakened areas. Examples include:
- Spreader Grafts: Placed between the upper lateral cartilage and the septum to widen the internal nasal valve.
- Alar Batten Grafts: Used to support the external nasal valve and prevent collapse of the nostril sidewalls.
- Suturing Techniques: Specialized sutures can be used to reshape and support the nasal cartilages, pulling them into a more open position.
- Implants: In some cases, small, biocompatible implants can be used to strengthen the nasal sidewalls.
- Combining with Septoplasty or Turbinate Reduction: If other structural issues, such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, also contribute to nasal obstruction, these procedures can be performed concurrently to optimize airflow.
When to See a Doctor
If you’ve been struggling with chronic breathing issues or persistent nasal blockage, it’s important to seek professional medical advice. Here are signs it’s time to consult an ENT specialist like an ENT West Hills expert:
- Persistent nasal blockage that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter allergy medications or decongestants.
- Significant difficulty exercising or sleeping due to nasal obstruction.
- A history of nasal injury or surgery with ongoing or worsening breathing symptoms.
- You suspect nasal valve collapse based on your symptoms or if the Cottle maneuver provides relief.
Finding the best ENT for nasal valve collapse treatment in West Hills is essential for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. An experienced specialist can properly assess your condition and guide you toward the most appropriate solution to help you breathe freely again.
Conclusion
Nasal valve collapse is a common yet often undiagnosed cause of chronic nasal obstruction and significant breathing issues. Understanding its causes, recognizing its symptoms, and knowing the available treatment options are important steps toward finding relief.
Please contact Dr. Alen Cohen at Southern California Sinus Institute, renowned ENT and Nose and Sinus Specialist, in West Hills and Los Angeles for a consultation.