Rare Condition Empty Nose Syndrome Leaves Patients Struggling to Breathe
A rare condition, Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), is causing distress for some people. Despite having open nasal passages, they struggle to breathe through their nose. This little-understood condition is now being studied by some ear, nose, and throat specialists.
ENS can be triggered by surgeries that disrupt pressure or temperature receptors on the turbinates, leading to a loss of nasal breathing sensation. Harmful bacteria can also exacerbate the condition due to a loss of beneficial mucus. Diagnosis involves checking turbinate damage on a CT scan and testing nasal passage airflow. However, a low airflow rate can be caused by other conditions, so total respiratory health should be evaluated.
Symptoms include difficulty breathing, sensation of drowning, breathlessness, nasal dryness and crusting, headaches, nosebleeds, low airflow, dizziness, reduced sense of smell or taste, lack of mucus, thick post-nasal drip, heart palpitations, nasal swelling and pain, tiredness, and psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression. Treatments aim to moisturize nasal passages, kill bad bacteria, and increase the size of remaining turbinate tissue to increase air pressure in the nose. Common treatments include using humidifiers, living in a warm, humid climate, using antibiotic nasal applications, applying hormonal creams, taking sildenafil (Viagra), and undergoing surgical implantation of bulking materials. Nasal rehabilitation techniques, such as turbinate reduction or correction of nasal septum deviations, are also used to enhance nasal airflow and function.
While ENS is not yet fully understood and does not have official diagnostic tests or treatments, some specialists are making progress in understanding its causes and pursuing more effective treatments. Current treatments can reduce symptoms, and finding a trusted doctor is key to managing this condition.
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