Nose Conditions

Blocked Nose:

A blocked nose is often uncomfortable and difficult to tolerate. Acute causes are most common and often due to viruses but can lead to bacterial causes. Untreated, a blocked nose can lead to sinusitis presenting with blocked nose, excessive nasal discharge, fever and headaches. Acute bacterial sinusitis is very common in winter. The treatment requires the use of antibiotics. Occasionally surgical drainage is required.

Sinusitis:

This is when the lining of the sinuses become inflamed usually after a cold that is persistent. Symptoms range from headaches to sinus pain and include blocked nasal passages, high temperature and green or yellow discharges. Most inflammations clear up in two to three weeks but clinicians can recommend decongestants, saline nose baths and antibiotics if the condition continues.

Adenoids:

Adenoids are small lumps of tissue at the back of the nose that part of the immune system. They normally start to shrink from the age of seven and should have disappeared by adulthood. they are the commonest cause of snoring in children.

When there is excessive snoring, they are removed by an adenoidectomy, a quick day-procedure performed at hospital by an ENT surgeon.

Hay Fever/ Allergic rhinitis:

This is due to a reaction to allergens such as dust or pollen. It is most common in children and teenager but can occur at any age . The symptoms are often worse in spring. The best advice is to avoid the triggers that cause hay fever but is often necessary viz. topical nasal steroids and antihistamines.

Nasal and Sinus Cancer:

This is rare and mainly affects men aged 50 to 60-years-old and symptoms include reduced smell, nose bleeds, persistent blocked nose and pain and numbness in the faceEarly diagnosis is essential to effective cure. A biopsy and radiology are necessary requirements to treatment..

Rhinoplasty:

Deformed shaped noses can be improved with rhinoplasty, an operation under general anaesthetic to correct the size or angle and to relieve blockages that are cause breathing difficulties. It is important to consult a specialist surgeon if you are considering an operation to re-shape your nose.