ENT respiratory disorders
Assessment and management of upper airway obstruction: chronic stuffy nose, mouth breathing, and functional issues that affect rest and quality of life.
Your nose is your first respiratory filter
When it stops working well, everything gets harder: you sleep worse, you get sick more often, you perform less, and over time it can affect cardiovascular health and facial development in children.
My practice includes comprehensive evaluation of the upper airway when respiratory difficulty has an ENT origin, with coordination with pulmonology or sleep medicine when joint management is needed.
What we evaluate
- Chronic nasal obstruction from any cause
- Habitual mouth breathing in children and adults
- Turbinate hypertrophy
- Nasal valve insufficiency
- Adenoid hypertrophy in children
- Upper airway compromise associated with asthma or COPD (coordinated management)
- Sensation of poor airflow through the nose without clear cause
Signs that warrant evaluation
- You sleep with your mouth open or wake with a dry throat.
- Your nose has been blocked for months on one or both sides.
- Your child always breathes through the mouth, snores, or sleeps restlessly.
- You exercise and feel no air comes through your nose.
- You live with chronic fatigue that doesn't improve with rest.
How the consultation works
- Targeted anamnesisCharacterization of the respiratory picture, allergic history, sleep quality, daily impact.
- Complete nasal examAnterior rhinoscopy and in-office nasal endoscopy to directly view the airway.
- Functional evaluationNasal breathing test, valve and turbinate assessment, pharyngeal exam.
- Management planPersonalized medical management, sleep study referral if applicable, or surgery when indicated. Coordination with pulmonology/allergology if needed.
Common questions
Is mouth breathing really a problem?
Yes, especially when habitual. It affects sleep, oxygenation, facial development in children, and increases respiratory infection risk.
What's the difference between nasal obstruction and allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is one common cause of obstruction, but not the only one. Anatomical deviations, turbinate hypertrophy, polyps, or valve issues can also contribute.
When is surgery indicated?
When there's significant anatomical obstruction that doesn't improve with well-directed medical treatment, and always with a clear functional goal.
Is this related to sleep apnea?
Yes — nasal obstruction can worsen snoring and apnea. We assess together with the ENT sleep service.