Does your nostril feel like it's collapsing? (Collapsed Nostril) Let's talk about this.

Do you often feel like you have a stuffy nose and are having trouble breathing? You may think it's a cold or some kind of allergy. But if your stuffy nose doesn't go away even after taking medication, the cause may be something else. Today we're going to talk about a condition that's not so well-known, but affects many people. That's called a collapsed nostril, or in medical terms, a 'collapsed nostril'.

Simply put, what does it mean to sink into this nostril?

Our nostrils are not just two holes for breathing. Inside them is a system of delicate passages through which air travels. Imagine, at the bottom of these passages, in a slightly narrow place, there is a part like a 'gate'. We call this the nasal valve . To be precise, this is the part that controls the amount of air that goes in and out of our nose.

So, what happens if this nasal valve becomes weak, collapses inward, or becomes too narrow for some reason? It's very simple. The airway becomes blocked. That's what we call a 'collapsed nostril' or a collapsed nostril.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

The main symptom of this is a constant feeling of stuffiness in the nose, as if you have a cold every day. Apart from that, there may be several other symptoms. Let's see what they are.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

There are several reasons why the nasal valve can become weak and sink inward.

• An accident to the nose: Damage to the nose from a fall, while playing sports, or another accident as a child.
• After nose surgery: Due to swelling or scar tissue that occurs after any surgery done on the nose.
• Congenital position: Some people are born with a nose that protrudes too far forward or has narrow nostrils. This can also be caused by a deviated septum , the wall in the middle of the nose.
• Drug use: Long-term use of drugs such as cocaine can damage the delicate tissues inside the nose.
• Aging: As we age, the cartilage and muscles in the nose, like other parts of the body, weaken. This is also a common cause of this condition.

How to recognize this?

Typically, your doctor will first ask you a detailed question about your symptoms and then examine your nose.

Another condition that has very similar symptoms to a collapsed nostril is a deviated septum . So, your doctor will want to know exactly which of these two conditions you have.

There is a simple test to confirm this called the 'Cottle test'. What happens here is that the doctor slowly pulls your cheek away from your nose. This opens the nasal valve. If you can breathe easier at that time, you probably have a 'collapsed nostril' condition.

In some cases, it may be necessary to look deeper inside the nose. This is done using a device called an endoscope . This is a long, thin tube with a camera and a light attached. When this is inserted into the nose, it can be clearly seen if the nasal valve is collapsed or damaged. Don't worry, you will be given a numbing medicine before this, so you won't feel any pain.

What are the treatments?

Treatment for this depends on the extent of the damage and how much it affects your life.

Non-surgical treatments

If your condition is not too serious, meaning you only have minor discomfort like snoring at night, you can try using a nasal valve dilator . This is just a plaster, a small strip that you stick on both sides of your nose before going to bed at night. This pulls the nostrils apart, opening up the airway. This makes it easier to breathe and reduces snoring.

Surgery

However, these straps do not work for everyone. In most cases, people with this condition will need surgery as a permanent solution. This surgery is called Nasal Valve Rhinoplasty or Nasal Valve Repair . This is more of a nose job than a cosmetic surgery, but rather a procedure to relieve breathing difficulties and restore nasal function.

This surgery is done in a hospital. You will be given general anesthesia or a numbing medication to numb your nose. During the surgery, the surgeon will use a special instrument to open your nostrils and reposition the nasal valve. It may also be necessary to cut out any excess cartilage.

Another option is to use a graft or implant from another part of the nose to attach the nasal valve to the inside of the valve. This provides good support for the valve. However, sometimes these implants can be visible from the outside of the nose. So, if your doctor recommends this treatment, it is important to talk to him about how it will look.

After surgery, the incisions inside the nose will be stitched and covered with gauze or a small cast for protection. Your doctor will advise you on how to care for it until it heals.