Issues with the nasal structure or lining can result in nasal blockage. These can include a septal deviation, nasal polyps, septal perforation or inflammation of the nasal and sinus lining.

Blocked Nose

Medical diagram showing deviated nasal septum causing blocked nose and breathing difficulty
Medical diagram showing deviated nasal polyp causing blocked nose and breathing difficulty

A blocked nose (nasal obstruction), is one of the most common reasons patients visit ENT specialists. While occasional nasal congestion from a cold is normal, persistent difficulty breathing through your nose can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting sleep, exercise, concentration, and overall wellbeing.

At Melbourne Nose and Sinus, we understand the frustration of chronic nasal obstruction. Our experienced ENT surgeons specialize in diagnosing the underlying cause of your blocked nose and providing effective, long-lasting treatment solutions.

Symptoms of Nasal Obstruction

Common symptoms include:

  • Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils

  • Worsening congestion when lying down

  • Mouth breathing, especially at night

  • Snoring or sleep disruption

  • Reduced sense of smell

  • Recurring sinus infections

  • Facial pressure or headaches

  • Dry mouth upon waking

  • Fatigue from poor sleep quality

If you're experiencing persistent nasal obstruction lasting more than two weeks, it's time to see an ENT specialist.

Common Causes of Blocked Nose

Structural Issues:

  • Deviated septum - Misalignment of the cartilage dividing your nasal passages

  • Turbinate hypertrophy - Enlargement of the nasal turbinates

  • Nasal valve collapse - Weakness in the nasal cartilage

  • Previous nasal trauma or injury

Inflammatory Conditions:

  • Chronic rhinosinusitis - Long-term sinus inflammation

  • Allergic rhinitis - Seasonal or year-round allergies

  • Non-allergic rhinitis - Inflammation without allergies

  • Nasal polyps - Non-cancerous growths in the nasal passages

Other Factors:

  • Medication side effects

  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy

  • Overuse of nasal decongestant sprays

  • Environmental irritants

Diagnosis at MNAS

Your consultation begins with a comprehensive evaluation:

Medical History Review We discuss your symptoms, duration, triggers, previous treatments, and how the blocked nose affects your daily life.

Physical Examination Our ENT surgeons perform a detailed examination of your nose, throat, and related structures.

Nasal Endoscopy Using a thin, flexible camera, we examine the inside of your nose and sinuses to identify structural issues, polyps, or signs of inflammation. This painless procedure provides invaluable diagnostic information.

Additional Testing (if needed)

  • Allergy testing to identify triggers

  • CT scan of sinuses for detailed imaging

  • Rhinomanometry to measure airflow

  • Sleep study if sleep apnea is suspected

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause:

Medical Management:

  • Prescription nasal sprays - Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

  • Antihistamines - For allergy-related congestion

  • Allergy immunotherapy - Long-term allergy desensitization

  • Saline irrigations - To clear mucus and moisturize passages

Surgical Treatment: When medical management isn't sufficient, surgical options include:

  • Septoplasty - Straightening a deviated septum to improve airflow

  • Turbinate reduction - Reducing enlarged turbinates

  • Functional rhinoplasty - Correcting nasal valve issues

  • Balloon sinuplasty - Minimally invasive sinus opening

  • Endoscopic sinus surgery - Removing polyps or opening blocked sinuses

All surgical procedures at MNAS are performed using the latest minimally invasive techniques, ensuring faster recovery and optimal results.

Why Choose MNAS for Blocked Nose Treatment?

Specialized Expertise Our surgeons focus exclusively on nose and sinus conditions, providing specialized care you won't find at general practices.

Advanced Technology We utilize the latest endoscopic equipment and surgical techniques for precise diagnosis and treatment.

Cabrini Hospital Affiliation Access to state-of-the-art surgical facilities and comprehensive perioperative care.

Personalized Treatment Plans We understand that every patient is unique. Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition, lifestyle, and goals.

Proven Results Our patients consistently report significant improvements in breathing, sleep quality, and overall quality of life after treatment.

What to Expect

Initial Consultation Your first visit typically lasts 20 minutes. We perform a thorough examination, discuss your symptoms, and often complete nasal endoscopy on the same day. Most patients leave with a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.

Recovery Times

  • Medical treatment: Improvement often seen within 2-4 weeks

  • Septoplasty/Turbinate reduction: 1-2 weeks off work, full recovery 4-6 weeks

  • Functional rhinoplasty: 2 weeks off work, full recovery 6-8 weeks

Follow-Up Care We see all patients for post-treatment follow-up to ensure optimal healing and results.

 FAQs

    1. A structural problem such as a deviated septum of the nose, nasal polyps, the adenoid gland and more rarely growths or foreign bodies, may cause a blocked nose. In this setting, the nose is usually blocked most of the time and on one side predominantly.

    2. Swelling of the lining of the nose may also cause a blocked nose. Such swelling may be associated with allergies or sinus inflammation (acute and chronic sinusitis) but can also occur in the absence of allergies such as due to the side effects of certain medicines including nasal decongestants. In the case of allergies, people often experience that their nasal blockage switches between the two sides and worsens at night when they lie down.

    1. The main initial management is reduction of allergen exposure (or desensitisation therapy if allergies exist) and medical treatment (usually nasal sprays) as well as saline rinses. These can be nasal decongestants but note that they should not be used for more than a few days as they can cause congestion in the nose. For longer term control, nasal steroid sprays can be effective if used regularly. These are safe to use and are similar to asthma inhalers. There are also sprays that have antihistamines combined with them which mean that the need for oral antihistamines is reduced.

    2. If nasal blockage is troublesome and not controlled by medical treatments, then surgery on the nose may help. This is via a septoplasty, turbinoplasty or septorhinoplasty (nose job) for more complex cases involving a septal deviation and sinus surgery for polyps and other sinus conditions.

  • The inside of the nose has swellings called turbinates that run along the side of the nose wall. These turbinates have a lining that has many blood vessels. When we lie down, these blood vessels fill up and people may feel congested. This sensation can worsen when people turn over in bed as the nostril on the lower side fills more and causes more obstruction.

  • A blocked nose does not typically cause headaches. However, in some individuals with a migraine background, it is possible that the nasal blockage may be triggering the migraine.

  • A septal perforation can potentially contribute to a blocked nose, although it is not a direct cause. A septal perforation is a hole that forms in the nasal septum, which is the cartilage and bone structure dividing the nostrils. This condition can result from various factors, including trauma, chronic use of nasal drugs such as cocaine, or underlying diseases.

    When a perforation occurs, it can disrupt airflow through the nasal passages, leading to symptoms such as nasal obstruction or a sensation of a blocked nose. Additionally, the presence of the perforation can make the nasal mucosa more susceptible to irritation and inflammation, which can also contribute to feelings of congestion.

    Individuals with a septal perforation may experience other complications, including recurrent nosebleeds, crusting, and, in some cases, infections. These factors may exacerbate the sensation of nasal blockage.

    Surgical closure is the preferred treatment option to resolve the above issues and modern knowledge and techniques mean that success rates are significantly improved; even for larger perforations