Trouble Breathing Through my Nose - Do or Don't Need Rhinoplasty?

There are many reasons that patients experience symptoms of nasal obstruction. These can include structural abnormalities such as a deviated septum, narrowing of the mid-vault, and nostril collapse. Functional causes of nasal obstruction include swelling of the nasal passages secondary to nasal allergies (hay fever), enlarged turbinates, sinusitis, nasal polyps, and tumors.
Rhinoplasty can improve breathign problems that arise from structural problems and can even - in some cases - lessen the effects of the functional issues. However, rhinoplasty alone will not "cure" the functional problems.
Seek one or more second opinions -- preferably from an ENT doctor who specializes in nasal disorders -- to make sure your diagnosis is correct. After the correct diagnosis is confirmed (or made) then choose a rhinoplasty surgeon who you feel comfortable with and understands your goals and desires.

There are many different reasons why a patient may have trouble breathing through the nose. Most commonly, a septal deviation and/or enlarged turbinates are the problem. There are also things such as nasal valve collapse, chronic sinusitis, enlarged adenoids, dry mucosa, etc that could cause nasal obstruction and are often less obvious.
A detailed history and exam would be needed to determine the etiology and proper treatment. A nasal expert like a facial plastic surgeon or ENT surgeon would probably be the best place to start.
All the best,

In general, rhinoplasty is surgery done to re-shape the external nose.  There are other procedures done to improve the internal breathing passages. These include septoplasty and turbinoplasty.  So it can depend on your exam just what needs to be done. For example, a twisted nose may need correction so that you can breathe better.  Your question may more be about the terminology and understanding what treatment is needed to improve your nasal passages.  An otolaryngologist (ENT) should be able to perform a complete exam as assess the causes of your breathing.

Ok so here's what you need to know.  First of all there are many causes of difficulty breathing and not all of them can be corrected with surgery.  For example if you have a allergy component it will NEVER get better with surgery and needs medication.  The things that get better with surgery and WILL help with breathing are:  Correction of a deviated septum and Reduction of the inferior turbinates.  Now be careful because if you have a cosmetic rhinoplasty sometimes peoples breathing gets WORSE. 

Hope that helps

Dr Rahban

Rhinoplasty implies aesthetic and cosmetic changes to the nose. You may need internal and functional surgery, such as septoplasty (straightening of deviated septum), turbinate reduction, and/or nasal valve correction. First and foremost, please see an ENT specialist to determine the functional issues.

Difficulty breathing through your nose can be due to numerous causes.  You may have a deviated septum, valve issues, or turbinate hypertrophy.  If you are seeking correction of any external disproportion to your nose, you should seek a surgeon that can treat both the nasal airway and appearance of the nose.  Good luck.