Rhinoplasty Can Help You Breathe More Freely

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011 to PROCEDURES > Face

Posted by Michael Menachof, M.D., FACS, Board-Certified Otolaryngologist

By: Michael Menachof, M.D.

Rhinoplasty does not only fulfill a cosmetic purpose: for many Denver rhinoplasty patients, it can alleviate breathing problems by opening up the nasal passageways. Restricted airflow within the nose can be caused by several factors, namely a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates (made of bone and soft tissues), and even injury. Performing rhinoplasty can treat these serious functional problems in addition to any cosmetic concerns you may have.

Deviated Septum

The septum is essentially the wall that separates the left and right side of the nose. Many people actually suffer from a deviated septum and don't realize it. A deviated, or crooked, septum can be a birth defect or can be caused by injury and occurs quite frequently in children and adults. Despite how common the condition is, usually, a deviated septum doesn't affect the appearance of the nose, so it can easily go unnoticed.

Rhinoplasty, or septorhinoplasty, can be performed to correct a deviated septum and, therefore, enhance your ability to breathe, in many cases.

Enlarged Turbinates

The turbinates are made up of bone and soft tissues within the nose that can become swollen and block airflow. Turbinate surgery can improve breathing by removing some of all of the turbinates.

Injury

Car accidents and sports can be some of the most hazardous things when it comes to your nose. Many patients see me for reconstructive rhinoplasty after their noses have been damaged by injuries. What many people don't realize is that if your nose is broken and requires being "reset," then there is a limited time window for you to have your nose set before it heals in place and needs to be re-broken. Typically, you should see a reconstructive rhinoplasty surgeon within a week after the injury occurs.

For those who suffer injury and aren't able to correct it before it heals, rhinoplasty can still be performed, even years down the line. For many patients, reconstructing the shape of their nose after injury can improve their breathing as well as their appearance.

Add Comment

To discourage SPAM, we ask that you type your code (displayed below) in the text box.

Your Code:
Enter Code:	*