Nasal Obstructions

A nasal obstruction occurs when a child’s nasal cavity is partially or totally blocked. The nasal cavity begins at the nostril (opening of the nose) and ends at the back of the throat. Children can be born with a nasal obstruction when the nasal cavity does not properly form while in the womb, or it can develop later.

One specific type of nasal obstruction is nasal polyps, which are tissues that grow and project from the sinus lining and block the nasal passage. Nasal polyps are caused by chronic inflammation due to asthma, allergies, drug sensitivity or recurring infection.

Symptoms of a nasal obstruction, including nasal polyps, include:

Stridor (noisy breathing)
Difficulty breathing
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Chronic (ongoing) runny nose

Diagnosis of Nasal Obstructions

Doctors at Riley at IU Health may use one or more of the following exams and tests to diagnose nasal polyps or any other type of nasal obstruction:

Physical exam. The doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam to check for symptoms of a nasal obstruction.
Upper endoscopy. The doctor may use a small, flexible tube to get a better look at the nasal obstruction.
Imaging tests. The doctor may order imaging tests such as X-ray, a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help determine the location and type of nasal obstruction.

Treatments

Treatment for a nasal obstruction depends on its cause and your child’s specific situation. Your child’s Riley at IU Health specialist may recommend one of the following treatments for nasal polyps:

Nasal corticosteroid spray. The first course of treatment for nasal polyps is usually a spray that can sometimes help reduce or even eliminate the polyps.
Oral corticosteroids. Your child’s doctor may recommend oral corticosteroid medicines to help shrink the polyps.
Surgery. When nasal polyps are large, endoscopic surgery may be necessary to remove them. Usually, this surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and your child should be able to return home the same day.

Treatments for other types of nasal obstructions include:

Septoplasty. If your child has a deviated septum that obstructs his or her nasal passages, the doctor may recommend this surgical procedure to correct the obstruction. Septoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and your child should be able to go home that same day.
Turbinate reduction. If your child has tissue covering the turbinate bone that is swollen, the doctor may operate to reduce the tissue or to prevent it from swelling. If the bone is enlarged, the doctor may recommend this minimally invasive surgical procedure to shave down the bone. Turbinate reduction is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and your child should be able to go home that same day.
Adenoidectomy. The doctor may recommend that your child’s adenoids be removed. Adenoidectomy is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and your child should be able to go home that same day.

Key Points to Remember

A nasal obstruction occurs when a child’s nasal cavity is partially or totally blocked.
One type of nasal obstruction is nasal polyps, which are growths of tissue that project from the sinus lining and block the nasal passage.
Common symptoms of a nasal obstruction are noisy breathing (stridor) or difficulty breathing.
Sometimes, nasal obstructions can be treated with oral medicines and/or nasal sprays. Other times, surgery may be necessary to remove the blockage.

Support Services & Resources

Visit the trusted websites below for more information and support for nasal obstruction.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

American Rhinologic Society

Learn more about septoplasty and turbinate surgery from this professional organization.

MedlinePlus

Read about nasal polyps on this U.S. National Library of Medicine website.

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