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Always have a blocked nose!
AfterToday
Posts: 650 Forum Member
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So, I have been getting really bad sore throats in the mornings for about 3-4 months now on and off, and they are very annoying but soon go 1-2 hours after I wake up. When discussing this with my girlfriend, she said she has noticed I only breathe through my mouth when I sleep. She suggested I should try breathing through my nose. Then I realised, I can't and don't think I have ever been able to properly! When I press to block my right nostril, I can just, breathe through my left, however its not easy, but when I block my left, it is impossible to breathe, no air flow at all. Thing is, this is a not a 'new' thing as I actually cannot remember a time when I have been able to breathe though my nose properly!
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this before and any tips?
Thanks
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this before and any tips?
Thanks
0
Comments
My tip is, don't gain weight as you'll end up with sleep apnoea.
The only times I have ever been able to breathe clearly is right after a bad cold, you know when the mucus starts to thicken up and sometimes when you blow, the whole lot comes out in a massive string? After doing that all my passages are clear for a short time until it builds up again.
The one memorable time was at school on a cold crisp morning, walking in the main car park facing out over a hill down into the valley below, suddenly my nose just cleared and I could breathe in all the cold air and smell the countryside. It's stayed with me forever, that memory.
Once nose done doctor said he couldn't do any more
I left it for a couple years hoping it would clear up but it only got worse, I then started using vicks spray which helped for a few months but constantly used it as it unblocked my nose (it basically shrinks your turbines temporarily) , used it for over a year and that made things worse.
I went to a specialist who examined my nose and apparently had a deviated septum which is basically part of your nose is not straight (from the inside) and causes your turbinates to swell which causes the left or right side of your nose to constantly block (mine was left).
I had surgery just over 12 months ago now to straighten the septum and can finally breathe normal
It's really a massive relief, having a constant blocked nose bothh really depressing and annoying. Also I've been told I breathe normally through my nose now when sleeping and don't snore much which is also a plus I guess!
It was only a 30 minute op and was out the same day.
If you've had it a couple of months I'd go see a doctor or ask to see a specialist.
Good luck
How was it after the op, pain and discomfort wise?
Just reading about it makes my eyes water.
They put to sleep of course ;-) the pain wasn't that bad, more that your nose is constantly stuffed than pain after the op because they stuff it with gauze and your meant to breathe through your mouth.
Your nose does bleed for about a week after and they use dissolvable stitches usually after straightening the inside.
Within 2 weeks I was back to work and pretty much back to normal it was a pretty fast recovery, I forgot what it like to finally breathe properly after a few years weird as that might sound
I'd go through it again if I had to and wish I'd done it sooner.
This made me LOL
My useless but Quite Interesting bit of info is amphetamines work well as a decongestant. So should caffeine as well in theory as they are both indirect action adrenergic agonists.
As would Cocaine, but unfortunately if you can't breathe through your nose it would be a little hard to.. er.. 'administer' ;-)
My doctor diagnosed me with Allergic Rhinitus and gave me antihistamines to take every day which i took for several years along with nasal sprays which worked at first. However i think my body got used to them as they stopped helping after a few years use. (As a side note, i used to use antihistamines to help with prickly heat when going abroad. Due to taking them so long they don't even help with this any more even when i have been prescribed much stronger versions of them). My sense of smell also completely disappeared. After seeing my doctor several more times they referred me to a specialist and eventually operated (day surgery) and again only took about 30 mins i believe where they basically used a hammer and chisel (from videos i;ve seen on youtube and way doctor described it) to clear out the cartlidge blocking my one nostril. I was asked if i wanted to be awake or put to sleep for this op - no chance i was being awake after seeing the youtube videos!
Anyway after the op, my nose was quite bloody for a few days and very tender. The first few days were troublesome to eat or drink anything as just to move top lip and chew was very painful. However i'm pleased to say i saw an inprovement pretty soon after and no longer feel like my nose is always blocked and a bonus my sense of smell now works sometimes and seems to still be improving.
http://www.boots.com/en/Sterimar-Isotonic-100ml-100ml_9333/
I recommend you use over a sink, and have some clean tissues I stand by to give your nose a good blow afterwards. I only use for occasional use when I feel I really need to.
Steam is another good natural thing for clearing you nose, have a nice warm bath that should do the trick, just that natural steam from the room does it, if you do the leaning over a bowl of warm water thing don't use boiling water as you can scald yourself.
I'll take it further with my gp when I can be bothered
You mean...
...when it starts to annoy you?
...when it gets really irksome?
...when it becomes a tiresome bore?
...when it starts to get on your wick?