Skip to Main Content
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates: Visitor Restrictions & More

Safety Measures at Riley Children’s Health

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View safety measures, mask policy and visiting guidelines.

Information on COVID-19

Learn more about COVID-19, information about previously scheduled appointments and what you can do to help protect your child and family. View COVID-19 information.


Free Virtual Coronavirus Screenings

IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings. View screening details.

Actualizaciones del Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Información sobre el COVID-19

Obtenga más información acerca del COVID-19, incluyendo las preguntas más frecuentes y lo que puede hacer para ayudar a protegerse y proteger a su familia. Ver información del COVID-19.


Restricciones para visitantes

Las instalaciones de salud de IU Health han implementado restricciones a los visitantes para ayudar a minimizar la propagación del COVID-19, la gripe y otros virus respiratorios. Ver restricciones para visitantes.


Información sobre citas ambulatorias previamente programadas

Para asegurar la salud y la seguridad de todos nuestros pacientes y empleados durante la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19), estamos haciendo ajustes en algunas de nuestras citas ambulatorias. Ver actualizaciones de citas ambulatorias.


Exámenes de coronavirus virtuales gratuitos

IU Health ha lanzado una clínica virtual para ofrecer a las personas en Indiana, independientemente de la edad, evaluaciones virtuales para la detección del coronavirus (COVID-19). Ver detalles de la evaluación.

Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Health Information
    • Find A Doctor
    • Depts. & Programs
    • Research & Innovation
    • Contact & Locations
    • Refer a Patient
    • Log in to My IU Health
Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
  • My IU Health
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
Book Appointment Online with select physicians.
Request Appointment Online to schedule with one of our coordinators.
1.888.IUHEALTH for
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
  • Health Information
  • Find A Doctor
  • Depts. & Programs
  • Research & Innovation
  • Contact & Locations
  • Log in to My IU Health
  • General Information
    317.944.5000
  • Health Information
  • Find A Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Research & Innovation
  • Contact & Locations
Riley Children's Health

Nasal Obstructions

Nasal Obstructions
  • Find A Doctor
  • Request An Appointment
  • On This Page:
  • Treatments
  • Key Points to Remember
  • Support Services & Resources
  • Locations
  • Departments Treating This Condition
Go back to the top of the page

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

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

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

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.

Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Riley Outpatient Center at IU Health

Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.944.8620

Get Directions

View location information

Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Pulmonology & Respiratory Care
Riley Children's Health Indiana University School of Medicine
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2021 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org

Get Informed

  • About Riley Children's Health
  • Family Support Services
  • Health Professionals
  • Medical Education
  • Newsroom
  • Riley Connections Blog
  • Careers
  • Legal Notices

I Want To…

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Plan My Visit
  • Pay a Bill
  • Make a Donation
  • Volunteer

General Information

317.944.5000

Connect with Riley at IU Health

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • RSS
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2021 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


Non-discrimination Notice

  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Burmese
  • Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch
  • 中文
  • Nederlands
  • Deutsche
  • Hakha
  • 日本語
  • Karen
  • 한국어
  • Русский
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • हिंदी
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Back to top of the page