Nose related QnA from a nose specialist Chi-yeol Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. I have difficulty breathing after rhinoplasty. Why is this?

 

A. This is because rhinoplasty narrows the nose

bridge excessively or raises the bridge of the nose, narrowing the breathing passage.

 

The wall that separates the left and right sides of the inside of the nose is called the nasal septum. One of the nose surgery techniques is to remove the nasal septum cartilage. If rhinoplasty is performed in this way, the curved part may become more curved, making life difficult. Since breathing determines the quality of life, even if it is a cosmetic surgery, it is recommended to consider the importance of nasal function so as not to damage the function of the nose that controls breathing, and if possible, perform functional rhinoplasty to improve the function.

 

During rhinoplasty, the nasal septum should not be removed excessively without straining the function of the nose, cartilage shou.ld not be inserted at the tip of the nose to make the nasal column too thick, and the nose should be operated in a way that does not cut the nasal bridge too much

 

Q. What is the classification and treatment of allergic rhinitis?

 

A. Any inflammation that occurs in the nose can be called rhinitis. There are two types of rhinitis: allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis caused by temperature and humidity differences or hormonal changes. Allergic rhinitis can be treated simply and dramatically with antihistamines and steroids, but long-term use is not a good idea. Even if it is a small amount, it is the liver and kidneys, and there is dependence.

 

Therefore, there is no cure for rhinitis, but when it is severe, it is best to manage it steadily in various ways, such as using a short-term rhinitis relief spray or nasal irrigation. In the case of allergic rhinitis, it may be helpful to wear a mask when you go outside.

 

The problem is that chronic hypertrophic rhinitis caused by rhinitis may require immunotherapy or surgical treatment. Usually, when it comes to surgery, we tend to avoid it, but in fact, for patients who live with a runny nose and sneezing every day, the fundamental solution is surgery to modify the structure of the nose. This surgery is called 'lower turbinate resection' and the purpose of the surgery is to reduce thickened nasal swells and prevent nasal congestion and other complications caused by nasal congestion.

 

The surgical method is to use a cobbler laser to necrosis a part of the inside of the nose, and then the mucous membrane is removed so that the nasal septum is stretched without any bend. Although the name is surgery, the advantage is that it is possible to leave the hospital in one day, and in recent years, the skill of the surgeon has improved, and the pain caused by rhinitis can be solved relatively easily.

 

However, not all rhinitis patients need surgery. When considering surgery, you can consider three options and choose if applicable. First, the subjective severity of the symptoms. It is recommended to proceed if the quality of life due to nasal congestion has decreased significantly. Second, if there is a sleep disorder due to nasal congestion. Third, it is necessary to prevent or treat the side effects caused by cosmetic rhinoplasty. The above symptoms can continue to cause problems with nasal breathing for the rest of your life, so it is recommended that you actively consider surgical treatment.

 

Q. What is the difference between rhinitis and sinusitis?

 

A. All inflammation of the air passages in the nose is called rhinitis, and sinusitis, commonly referred to as sinusitis, is a condition in which the sinuses, which are empty spaces in the bones of the face, fill with pus. Therefore, sinusitis, in addition to a runny nose, is prone to additional eye pain, toothache, etc.

 

Rhinitis is usually caused by viruses or allergies, while sinusitis is caused by bacteria or fungi. In the past, surgical treatment of sinusitis was performed through incisions, but recently, drug treatment with antibiotics for 2~3 weeks is the most common and common treatment method.

 

Q. How do I irrigate my nose?

 

A. Humans have a nasal self-cleaning function, but it is better if you proceed with nasal irrigation. It can be of great help if you do it when the weather is dry, especially in winter.

You can prepare a saline solution that is prepared according to the concentration of your body in a lukewarm state. Lower your head and spray your nose outward from the angle where your nose connects to your eyes, and breathe through your mouth and not breathe while you wash to avoid passing into the ear canal, which is the passage that connects to your ears. The water may go down your throat or come out of your nose on the other side, but that's okay if you don't.

 

Q. Is there a solution for nosebleeds in winter?

 

A. If the nasal septum is bent to one side, there is a high probability of frequent nosebleeds. This is because the cold wind blowing in winter continues to blow the nasal septum into the curved side, causing a lot of scab and dryness.

 

In other words, nosebleeds are caused by both structural problems in the nose and the environment of the air in which they live. Paying attention to the moisturizing of the nose may be the solution. It can be very helpful to turn on the humidifier when sleeping and go to sleep, or to apply a moisturizer that does not cause much skin problems such as eye ointment or Vaseline to the entrance of the nose 1~2 times a day with a sterilized cotton swab.