Nose

Nasal obstruction can be caused by a deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, enlarged adenoids, tumors and nasal congestion. Nasal obstruction encompasses anything which hinders the airflow in and out of the nose affecting one or both nasal passages. Nasal obstruction is usually caused by either swelling of the nasal tissue or an anatomical blockage which results in a narrowing of the nasal cavity and the feeling of the passages being congested. Nasal obstruction and can lead to sleeping disorders, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 

UT Health ENTs  specialize in all treatments for nasal obstruction, which includes at-home treatments, in-office treatments and surgical treatments.

Nasal congestion or "stuffy nose" occurs when nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid, causing a "stuffy" plugged feeling. Nasal congestion may or may not include a nasal discharge or "runny nose."

Nasal congestion usually is just an annoyance for older children and adults. But nasal congestion can be serious for children whose sleep is disturbed by their nasal congestion, or for infants, who might have a hard time feeding as a result.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander).

Besides making you miserable, hay fever can affect your performance at work or school and generally interfere with your life. But you don't have to put up with annoying symptoms. You can learn to avoid triggers and find the right treatment.

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are associated with asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders.

Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or lead to breathing problems, a lost sense of smell and frequent infections.

Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but they're more common in adults. Medications can often shrink or eliminate nasal polyps, but surgery is sometimes needed to remove them.

A nose injury is an injury to any part of the nose. An injury may cause just a nosebleed or bruising, or it may break the bones in the nose. Nose injuries may also damage the nasal septum, which is the wall that divides the nose into 2 nasal passages.

Nose injuries often occur during play, sports, accidents, fights, and falls. Pain, swelling, and bruising are common, even with minor injuries. Home treatment can usually help relieve your symptoms.

It may be hard to tell if your nose is broken. Swelling can make your nose look crooked even if it is not broken. Sometimes, testing may be needed, such as an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of the head, if other facial injuries or fractures are suspected.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), nasal cosmetic surgery, is performed to improve the nose aesthetically - making it harmonize better with the other facial features - while maintaining or improving function. Because it is the most defining feature of the face, the size and shape of the nose has a significant impact on a person's appearance. The goal in rhinoplasty is to minimize the attention that is given to the nose in order to accentuate the beauty of the eyes.