Is constant congestion making life difficult?
If you feel stuffy or congested all of the time then you know the struggle of trying to navigate through life without being able to breathe. Not being able to breathe through your nose may make it hard to sleep, exercise, or even live a normal life. Don’t worry, you're not alone. Over 20 million Americans suffer from nasal airway obstruction.
Do I have nasal airway obstruction?
Nasal airway obstruction is a condition that makes it more difficult to breathe through your nose. Nasal obstruction makes it difficult to breathe while at rest and during exercise. It leads to a reduction in sleep time and quality. Nasal Valve Collapse or NVC is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction.
What are the symptoms of nasal airway obstruction?
70% of the oxygen taken in by your lungs comes from breathing through your nose, which is why the symptoms of nasal airway obstruction can be severe. Some symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Difficulty breathing through your nose
- Difficulty sleeping
- Blockage or obstruction making it difficult to breathe
- Not getting enough air while exercising
What is the cause of nasal valve collapse?
NVC is caused by weak cartilage within the side wall of the nose. When you inhale, the weakened cartilage in the nose caves in and blocks your nasal passage. NVC can occur at any time. While resting, sleeping, and even more so during exercise.
The conventional methods for treating NVC involve grafting cartilage from other parts of the body. These outdated procedures do not address the underlying issues but now there is a new solution that works.
LATERA®: The new and better Nasal Valve Collapse treatment.
LATERA® is an absorbable implant that supports the lateral nasal cartilage. It can reduce your nasal obstruction symptoms to help you breathe through your nose again. LATERA® will boost your quality of life in a safe, convenient, and effective way.
You can enjoy an active life with LATERA®
This minimally invasive treatment is inserted into the nose during a short in-office procedure. Patients who receive the implant report a satisfaction rate of 86% and a satisfaction with their appearance at a rate of 93%
Am I a candidate for LATERA®?
The best way to be sure that you have an NVC is to visit an ENT but the Cottle Maneuver can be a starting point. The Cottle Maneuver is a self-test in which you pull on your cheek to hold your nostril to the side. If your breathing gets better when you do this then you may be suffering from NVC.
While the Cottle Maneuver is a good starting point, the best way to get a proper diagnosis is to visit Hillcrest ENT.
At Hillcrest ENT, Dr. Donaldson can diagnose you and make sure that you are a good candidate for LATERA®.
Schedule Today!