Plasticpedia

Nasal obstruction

Nasal obstruction  is a common complaint often termed stuffy nose, nasal blockage, and stopped up nose.  The variety of terms are used when the nasal passageway is narrowed.  It is critical to determine the cause of nasal passageway narrowness with a complete nasal exam. 

Many of the causes of nasal obstruction are structural in nature.  Dr. Anil R. Shah focuses on the anatomic causes of nasal obstruction including deviated nasal septums, narrowed nasal valves, septal perforation, and enlarged turbinates. There are many causes of nasal obstruction including congenital deviated septum, trauma, allergies, previous rhinoplasty.

Dr. Shah uses the latest in endoscopic and objective equipment in determining the cause of nasal obstruction. The endoscope allows for precise diagnosis of a specific cause of nasal obstruction while rhinomanometry can measure the nasal airway and help determine the “square footage” which is narrowed.

Anil R. Shah, MD, FACS, PC is an expert in the latest techniques in reconstruction of nasal valve surgery and improving the nasal airway. Many patients Dr. Shah sees have had previous surgeries by other surgeons and come to Dr. Shah for improvement in this arena.  Dr. Shah is one of the few surgeons in the Chicago, and Chicagoland area who specializes in nasal obstruction.

Dr. Shah works in synergy with a variety of colleagues in order to provide the best possible care for his patients.  Dr. Sanjay Patel focuses on the medical and allergic causes of nasal congestion and obstruction. There are over 250 medical causes of nasal obstruction and Dr. Patel meticulously sorts through the possibilities. Medical causes of nasal obstruction can range from thyroid abnormalities to taking birth control pills.

Recent Articles About Nasal Obstruction by Dr. Anil R. Shah

Did you know that over 80% of the population has a deviated septum? Why does this occur? Recently Dr. Shah headed up a team of researchers at NYU and found that deviated septums occur within the ages of 3-6 and did not occur earlier. “We looked at CT scans and MRI's of newborns, toddlers, and adults to determine when does this deviation manifest itself. Interestingly, we found that the majority of deviations occurred within the toddler age. One theory of why this occurs could be because of incidental trauma to the nose during this developmental period.”  This study was presented at the COSM in Orlando, Florida April 2008.

A septoplasty is often thought to be a routine surgery. However, this surgery has far more complexity to it than originally thought. Dr. Shah headed up a team of researchers at NYU and examined the effects of septoplasty on nasal tip projection. They found that even a standard removal of a small amount of cartilage could impact the nasal tip (nasal shape). It is important that patients realize that the shape of their nose can change and should have a surgeon experienced in septal surgery and nasal tip surgery performing their surgery.