I have breathing problems, could a nose job fix this?

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It very much depends on what is causing your breathing problems.  There are several potential causes, ranging from allergies to genetic complications, or even benign or cancerous growths.  Sometimes the presence of polyps (small fleshy benign growths) can have an adverse effect on breathing.  Sometimes it is related to environmental or lifestyle issues, such as smoking, exposure to pollutants or carcinogens, or even due to excessive body weight or obesity. 

In any of these instances, a traditional cosmetic ‘nose job’ (or Rhinoplasty) is unlikely to fix the problem.  In the instance of any breathing problems you experience which don’t have an obvious cause, you must contact your GP and seek medical advice.

However, there are two instances where variations on a nose job can help improve problematic breathing. 

One is in the case of a diagnosis of a ‘deviated septum’.  The septum is the section of tissue separating the nasal cavities within the nose.  If the septum is markedly off-centre, an individual may experience various symptoms, such as sinus infections, nasal congestion, sporadic nosebleeds, pain, headaches and difficulty breathing.  If you are diagnosed with a deviated septum and it is causing severe or unmanageable complications, then you may be suitable for a Septoplasty, or operation on the septum, to correct the problem and improve your adverse symptoms.  A Septoplasty is different to a Rhinoplasty in that it is not primarily a cosmetic procedure; although it can have incidental cosmetic benefits, it is usually first and foremost a medical procedure. 

Another potential cause of problematic breathing is a condition known as Rhinitis, which is generally caused by an allergic reaction.  Some of the symptoms are similar to that of a deviated septum, in that you may suffer congestion and infection, but are more likely to present as nasal discharge, sneezing fits and inflammation. 

Although treatment is usually not surgical, relying more on medicines to alleviate the symptoms, some very severe cases may be considered for various surgical procedures to remove or manage distressing symptoms.  In these cases it is vital to uncover the underlying cause ahead of any surgery, as opting for a nasal surgical procedure when it is unnecessary could cause dangerous and undesirable side-effects. 

Read more about Rhinoplasty ('Nose Job')

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