Question: I have a serious problem I need to address. I am 34 yrs old and I never breathe through my nose, consistently, always through my mouth. I can’t really smell things without actually trying to smell things. Because of this, my speech is impaired and I sound like I am talking through my nose, and most times I am stuffy. Clearly, I have chronic nasal congestion. I need to address this issue once and for all, cause I want to sound regular. I hope you can help me with my problem.
Answer: Thanks for your note. Unfortunately, what you describe is too common a problem. You describe many of the symptoms one can get from chronic nasal congestion. The nose has many functions. It is a filter to help the body fight off respiratory illnesses. It filters out irritating particles in the air and humidifies the air so that breathing in the air is body temperature and moist by the time it reaches the back of the nose. The smell fibers are located at the roof of the nose and can easily be blocked by nasal congestion. The sinuses serve for resonance in speaking. Many of these functions we take for granted but can cause significant hardship when lost.
There are many different causes of such nasal congestion. This can be from nasal allergies or environmental sensitivities. One can develop congestion with a deviated nasal septum (twisted center wall of the nasal cavity), nasal polyps, chronic sinus infections or weakening of the structural supporting cartilages of the nose. Reflux of stomach acid in some people can go as high as the nasal cavities, causing swelling of the tissues and nasal congestion.
Our role at the NY Sinus Center is not just to blindly treat, but to find the cause of such symptoms for each individual. Treatment then can be readily directed at that cause (or causes) so that each patient can have his or her nose back to doing its job.
Robert L. Pincus MD
NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic nasal congestion often includes symptoms such as persistent stuffiness, difficulty breathing through the nose, impaired sense of smell, and a nasal quality in speech. These symptoms can cause significant discomfort and affect daily activities like speaking and breathing properly.
The nose serves multiple important functions including filtering particles from the air, humidifying and warming inhaled air, enabling the sense of smell, and contributing to speech resonance. Nasal congestion can block these functions, leading to breathing difficulties, reduced smell, and altered voice quality.
Chronic nasal congestion can be caused by nasal allergies, environmental sensitivities, a deviated septum, nasal polyps, chronic sinus infections, structural weaknesses in the nose, or acid reflux reaching the nasal cavity. Identifying the specific cause is crucial for effective treatment.
Acid reflux can cause stomach acid to travel up to the nasal cavities in some individuals, leading to swelling of nasal tissues and resulting in chronic congestion. This is an often overlooked cause of nasal symptoms.
The NY Sinus Center focuses on diagnosing the specific cause or causes of nasal congestion for each patient rather than applying general treatments. This individualized approach enables targeted treatment plans that help restore the nose’s natural functions effectively.
Yes, the sinuses and nasal cavities contribute to the resonance of speech. When congestion occurs, it can cause a nasal tone or sound as if one is speaking through the nose, impairing normal speech patterns.
