• Nmill11b@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    This is called the nasal cycle.

    Use Flonase to help (need daily use for >= 4 weeks) If this doesn’t help enough, you should see an ENT.

    Fun fact: the turbinates in the nose (which are responsible for the nasal cycle) have erectile tissue in them.

    Source: your friendly neighborhood Otolaryngologist

    • nixcamic@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      I had a doctor basically remove everything from my nose that could be removed including a bunch of the turbinates. It’s great I can actually breathe through it now.

      • Nmill11b@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Yeah, inferior turbinate reduction is the next small step for this. Often if it’s just alternating nasal obstruction that’s good enough. Oftentimes there’s another component of nasal valve collapse or septal deviation. Personally, in my population, I end up doing septorhinoplasty (nose job) way more often than other smaller nasal surgery.

        You don’t want them to actually remove the turbinates, however. We generally just shrink them down – removing them makes the nasal air less turbulent, and difficult to sense airflow. TL;DR it make look like you can drive a semi truck through the nose, but people will feel like they cannot breathe at all. People have killed themselves over this.

        • Nmill11b@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          It can happen, but the way most ENTs train these days, unlikely. I’ve seen it twice that I recall off the top of my head, but very rare these days.

          Most ENTs, including myself, are overly cautious. You’re at a higher risk for symptom recurrence because of under resection.

          That being said, I wouldn’t let an oral surgeon or general plastic surgeon touch my family member’s nose (unless they had a very very good reputation). Nothing wrong with their work, I’m just not sure they had the same training and respect for the nose.

    • x4740N@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Also fun fact: don’t follow medical advice given by strangers on the Internet that claim they are an expert

      You can never verify that claim

      • Nmill11b@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        True; I, and I’m sure most other physicians would not provide identifiable data in a public forum. If you are having issues with nasal obstruction, alternating or otherwise., best advice is to follow up with your pcm for treatment, possible referral.

    • Pulptastic@midwest.social
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      7 months ago

      I wish it was that easy. Flonase did nothing for me other than cause my nose to bleed. Azelastine helped some though and that makes sense for me, my congestion is likely caused by dust mite allergy.

      Affrin is amazing for what it is. A few weeks ago I had a sinus headache so bad I threw up. Affrin cleared it up in 30 seconds, and I was able to maintain it without affrin after that.

      • Nmill11b@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Nosebleeds can happen and certainly do for some. Nasal hydration helps (for instance, ayr gel in combination with saline spray or irrigations). Ultimately, a good portion of patients that don’t tolerate or fail nasal steroids get surgery.

        Azelaetine is fantastic - there’s a lot of patients I prescribe it in conjunction with Flonase. Allergic rhinitis or even just excessive secretions is common in patients with inferior turbinate hypertroph/nasal obstruction, and both meds have a function. They sell it as a combination, actually, but often insurance doesn’t cover the combo.