Nasal obstruction - when breathing through you nose just doesn’t work
If you’re a mouth breather, a bad sleeper, a chronic snorer, or someone who just feels like their nose never works right — there’s often a structural reason. And structural reasons have real solutions.
“I didn’t realize how much my nose was affecting my sleep until someone actually looked at it.”
THE THREE MOST COMMON CULPRITS
Deviated septum
The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into two sides. Most people's septum isn't perfectly straight — but when it's significantly off-center, it can block airflow on one or both sides. You might notice you always breathe better out of one nostril, or that congestion on one side never really goes away, even when you're not sick.
Enlarged inferior turbinates
Turbinates are small bony structures inside your nose covered in soft tissue. They help humidify and filter the air you breathe — but they can become chronically enlarged from allergies, irritants, or just how you're built. When they're swollen, they take up space and make it hard to breathe through your nose. This is one of the most common and most overlooked causes of nasal obstruction.
Nasal valve collapse
The nasal valve is the narrowest part of your nasal airway — just inside the tip if your nose. If the cartilage there is weak or narrow, it can collapse inward when you breathe in, creating that feeling of suction or pinching when you try to take a deep breath. You might notice it’s worse when you exercise or lie down. This is frequently missed on a basic exam and requires a careful look.
Not every case needs surgery — and not every case can be solved with medications. Part of what I do is figure out which approach actually makes sense for you.
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL OPTIONS
Nasal steroid sprays
Saline rinses
Antihistamines and decongestants
Allergy treatment (including drop-based immunotherapy — no shots)
Nasal dilator strips for short term relief
Medical management
Surgical options
Septoplasty (straightening the septum)
Turbinate reduction
Nasal valve repair, with implants, cartilage or radiofrequency remodeling
Combine procedures when multiple issues are present
“I don’t jump straight to surgery — but I also won’t keep someone on medications that aren’t working. My job is to find the actual source of the problem and give you options about what’s most likely to help.” - Dr. Colleen Plein
Ready to figure out what’s going on?
A consultation is a conversation. We’ll look at your anatomy, talk through your history, and make a plan that actually fits your life.