Nose and nasal breathing problems

Do you have problems breathing through your nose? Do you get insufficient air through your nose? Do you snore at night? These inconveniences can be alleviated or even eliminated after clarifying the causes. For example, by correcting the nasal septum and reducing the size of the turbinates.

Anatomically, the nose belongs to the external, upper respiratory tract. The main external components are the root of the nose, the bridge of the nose, the tip of the nose, the lateral wings of the nose, the nostrils and, on the inside, the nasal cavity. This is divided into two separate compartments by the nasal septum. Behind the nasal cavity is the pharynx.

Nasal function diagnostics for the assessment of restricted nasal breathing

Nose "closed"? When doing sports or waking up in the night, do you have the feeling that too little air is coming through your nose, that breathing is difficult? In this case, it is advisable to consult an ENT specialist, as various causes, including breathing pauses, should be clarified.

In addition to a detailed medical history (previous illnesses, allergies, sleep hygiene) and a visual inspection of the external and internal nose, the ENT specialist will arrange for nasal function diagnostics. These measurement methods (rhinometry and rhinomanometry) on the one hand visualise evidence of nasal breathing obstruction, and on the other hand the results make it possible to distinguish between skeletal and mucosal causes.

The ENT specialist's subjective view of the nose allows geometric features and the condition of the mucous membrane to be recognised; the objective measurement records the physical flow processes during nasal breathing due to the spatial structure of the nose.

Like every organ, the nose also has specific tasks: In addition to the most well-known function, smelling, the nose must suck in, moisten, temper, filter, clean and pass on air. In addition, it forms an important resonance chamber when speaking - think of the nasally speech when you have a cold. If these tasks cannot be carried out smoothly, the impression of a swollen nose is created, often on one side or alternating sides.
The measurement results of acoustic rhinometry show the anatomy of the nose, states of swelling of the mucous membrane, constrictions in the front third of the nose; rhinomanometry records the aerodynamics caused by the space (air passage, respiratory pressure, respiratory resistance inhalation flow, cross-section).

Functional diagnostic measurement is a mosaic piece in the diagnosis and assessment of chronic nasal obstruction. Objective evidence is becoming increasingly important with regard to the subsidisation of possible surgical measures and the preparation of expert reports.

The functional diagnostic measurement is a mosaic piece in the diagnosis and assessment of chronic nasal obstruction. Objective evidence is becoming increasingly important in terms of subsidies for possible surgical measures and in the preparation of expert reports.

Source :

• Functional diagnostics of nasal breathing.
  Maranta, Chr., Gammert, Chr. ,1994
• www.otopront.de