Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum

I know this sounds weird, but it appears to be progressing.
About 18 months ago, I had a cold with a lot of congestion. Nothing abnormal there. After the cold went away, it seemed like my nose was always swollen shut up at the bridge. Nothing abnormal there. When the inflammation subsided, I noticed that I still felt like there was nasal congestion. I took a flashlight to take a look.

From what I could tell, the inside of my right nostril seemed to have changed shape. Over the past year and-a-half, it looks like the "roof" of my nostril is closing off the nostril more and more.

It doesn't hurt at all or look red or cause my nose to run. It just makes me feel more and more like my nose is stuffy, which it actually is not--at all. The whole nasal passageway (as far as I can see) appears smaller to me. It is significantly narrower than the other side, but they used to be about the same.

I've looked around on the Internet, but I've been unable to find anything like this. I thought maybe polyps, but from what I've read, they're bigger, more obvious, and much further inside the nose. It seems to me that at the rate I'm going, my nose will close itself up (again, this actually the nostril, not further up at the bony part of the nasal passage).

Thoughts?

Replies(3)

rooted

replied on February 1st, 2008

Supporter

Nasal obstruction is one of the most common complaints in medical offices. You are not alone!

Structural causes including tissue changes, trauma, and congenital disorders can cause nasal obstruction, but you'll have to have the symptom diagnosed to identify the real cause for the closing passageway.

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/11_ 04/alvi.htm

Are you still experiencing this? It can be chronic.

GNorth

replied on February 2nd, 2008

New User

It continues

This is progressive, for sure. Slow, but progressive. It's like the tissue of the inside top of the nostril has developed extra folds and contours it didn't have before. If I didn't have the other side for comparison, I probably wouldn't be able to identify the situation so clearly. It's really quite annoying. I've started using a neti pot once a week or so just to make sure that side of my nose isn't accumulating any gunk that can't get out under normal means.

I rarely go to the doctor--mine always seem to dismiss any and all of my complaints as trivial. It appears that being uncomfortable is not worthy of a PCP's attention.

Thanks for the heads up about the frequency of nasal obstruction compalints That's helpful to know.

rooted

replied on February 4th, 2008

Supporter

Neti pot! Love it!

But please go to an ENT specialist. The flaps you describe might be nasal polyps, which could be either tumorous or pseudo-tumorous. You need a diagnosis!

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc