Can Rhinoplasty Fix Breathing Problems?

Introduction

Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping indeed, is mainly done for aesthetic purposes, but with breathing as one of the reasons for performing the operation. Some people suffer from various problems related to the nose, making it hard for them to breathe, including chronic nasal congestion, crooked septum, or physical deformities of the nose. Functional rhinoplasty can be a great option for those cases. Let us see the ways rhinoplasty helps with breathing, what are the causes of nasal blockage, and what the surgery entails.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is the method of changing the nose to make it look better or to cure a problem with its function. The nasal bone, cartilage, and soft tissues can be altered to restore the original shape or fix the structural defect. Though mostly performed skin-deep, rhinoplasty does, in some cases, improve breathing through the nose, which is called functional rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasties are mainly of two kinds:

• Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Working towards the enhancement of the nose in terms of its shape, symmetry, and overall looks.
• Functional Rhinoplasty: Repairing of the structural defects that cause poor airflow through the nose, such as a crooked septum or weak nasal valve.

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Can Rhinoplasty Improve Breathing?

Absolutely, one of the main benefits of rhinoplasty is that it can help individuals with blocked or narrowed nasal passages due to internal deformities to breathe much better. By the surgery, anatomic structures of the nose are brought back to their normal state, so the airflow is then smooth and the symptoms of mouth breathing, snoring, and congestion are all lessened.

If you are experiencing persistent nasal blockage or have a hard time breathing from one or both nostrils, you should consider having a functional rhinoplasty to get rid of your breathing problems. It does not directly make you more comfortable physically, but it also can indirectly improve your sleep quality and overall health.

How Rhinoplasty Improves Breathing

Functional rhinoplasty changes the form of or reconstructs the different parts of the nose and hence solves the trouble breathing problems by treating the structural cause that is the most basic of all. The operation mainly improves the flow of air in the following ways:

• Correcting a Deviated Septum: The septum of the nose, which is made of cartilage that partitions the nostrils, can either displace or curve towards one side which is termed a deviated septum, and this is among the major factors that lead to nasal blockage. One can do septoplasty and rhinoplasty (septo-rhinoplasty) for the purpose of septum correction so that both nostrils will be open to good airflow.
• Repairing Nasal Valve Collapse: The nasal valve is the point in the nasal airway where the least space is available. If this area collapses or becomes less strong due to age or an injury, the person will have a hard time breathing through that nostril. Rhinoplasty can either strengthen the area or create a new one using cartilage grafts to keep the right shape and support.
• Reducing Turbinate Size: Turbinates are tiny, bone-like formations in the nose that perform the function of purifying and heating the air before it goes to the lungs through the nose. When they grow larger (this condition is known as turbinate hypertrophy), they can cause blockage of the nasal passages. Rhinoplasty may involve the reduction of turbinates as part of the process aimed at improving airflow.
• Removing Nasal Obstructions from Trauma: Sometimes, old injuries or fractures can make the nose deviate to one side or block the passage inside the nose completely. Rhinoplasty can change the position of the nasal bones and fix the internal problems that are causing difficulties in breathing.
• Restoring Nasal Symmetry: The unevenness of the nasal cavities might be the cause of inadequate air flow. By redefining the nose to a more symmetrical shape, rhinoplasty ensures that the air inhaled through both nostrils is of the same quantity and is thereby uniform and equal.

Causes of Breathing Problems

There are different reasons for breathing difficulties through the nose of a structural or environmental nature. Knowing these reasons can help in deciding if rhinoplasty is a suitable option or not.

• Deviated Septum: This condition is the most common cause of nasal obstruction due to the structure and misalignment of the septum hinders airflow on one side thus making a person to breathe abnormally.
• Nasal Valve Collapse: A nasal valve that is weak may close off during taking in air particularly if there has been trauma or previous nasal surgery. The consequence of this is blocking the airflow and causing a person to feel stuffed up all the time.
• Enlarged Turbinates: When one has allergies or suffers from chronic inflammation the turbinates may swell which eventually leads to breathing problems that are not alleviated by the use of medication.
• Nasal Polyps: The presence of soft, non-cancerous growths in the nasal cavity can restrict airflow and thereby make one feel as though their nose is always blocked.
• External Deformities or Trauma: External factors like accidents, injuries from sports, or even congenital deformities can alter the shape of the nose and its functionality, thereby diminishing the airflow.
• Chronic Allergies or Sinus Conditions: Chronic inflammation or infections are not always classified as structural but they may aggravate the nasal blockages thus making the surgical correction more effective in providing long-term relief.

Benefits of Rhinoplasty for Breathing Issues

Rhinoplasty, apart from improving the look, surgery to nose has health and lifestyle benefits as well when done for functional reasons:

• Better Airflow: Rhinoplasty aims to open the nasal passage to allow free flow of air which means better oxygen intake.
• Greater Quality of Sleep: A lot of people with chronic nasal blockage suffer from snoring or sleep apnea. Thus, treating such conditions leads to sleeping more soundly and with fewer interruptions.
• Less Nasal Congestion: When the healing phase is over, it is not uncommon for patients to describe a very noticeable decrease in congestion and/or pressure in the nostrils.
• Improved Performance in Athletics: Performing activities like running, cycling, or yoga while only breathing through the nose is simply easier and more enjoyable.
• More Symmetrical Nose: Not only does the procedure address the functional disorder; it also removes the aesthetic defect, resulting in the contribution of a more balanced face.

Who Can Benefit from Functional Rhinoplasty?

 Rhinoplasty is suggested for those who suffer from:

• Chronic nasal obstruction as a main problem in their life.
• Having suffered from nasal injuries or fractures before.
• Septal deviation or breathing problem through the nose.
• Uncontrolled nasal congestion by means of medication.
• Insomnia caused by nasal blockage.

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Recovery and Results After Rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty recovery is done, usually it lasts a few weeks but complete healing of the nasal tissues takes several months. There will be swelling and congestion after the operation which will go away but not completely at once as it will be a gradual process.

A majority of the patients get to see good breathing and nice looking face in just a few weeks. It is really important to stick to post-operative care instructions, keep away from heavy workouts during the first month, and go to all the follow-up visits to make sure the healing and the outcome are the best.

Conclusion

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that can effectively correct breathing difficulties that are a result of structural misalignment such as a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, or enlarged turbinates. The treatment not only leads to better nasal airflow but also improves the general aesthetics of the face and the self-esteem of the patient. Functional rhinoplasty thus provides a major breakthrough for individuals desiring both beauty refinement and the improvement of their breathing.

If you are facing issues with nasal blockage or have chronic problems with your breathing, then Kalpana Aesthetics is the right place which offers exceptional assessment and cutting-edge rhinoplasty treatments that will not just enhance the appearance but also the functionality of your nose. Their professional team is dedicated to providing gentle and customized care that guarantees not only the effectiveness of the treatment but also the safety of the patient in the long term, resulting in a very natural outcome.