Nasal Congestion
A stuffy nose can be uncomfortable and make it hard to sleep.
This page explains one cause of stuffy nose: a deviated septum.
In severe cases, surgery can dramatically improve the condition.
This article was written by a specialist who performs approximately 60-80 nasal surgeries per year (over 600 cases in total).
If you wish, you can schedule surgery from overseas. International patients will be required to undergo an examination for general anesthesia at a nearby hospital to determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Online consultations with overseas patients and surgery reservations available
A must-read for anyone suffering from persistent nasal congestion.
Good sleep starts with good nasal breathing.
Nasal airway congestion is closely related to snoring and sleep apnea.
Clear nasal breathing improves sleep quality (although AHI does not improve significantly, quality of life improves).
This is one of the few surgical treatments for sleep apnea whose effectiveness has been recognized in sleep medicine.
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In recent years, UPPP (Udophalangeal Palatoplasty) has become less recommended due to its limited effectiveness and potential complications.
What are the causes of nasal congestion?
There are many factors that contribute to nasal congestion.
One common cause is when the nasal septum, the wall between the left and right nostrils, is extremely curved, a condition known as "deviated septum."
It is said that approximately 90% of Japanese people have this condition, and even if there is a slight deviation, it is not pathological as long as there are no symptoms of nasal congestion.
If the deviation is severe and causes chronic nasal congestion, it may be a candidate for treatment.
The nasal septum is made up of a combination of cartilage and bone.
During growth, the two components grow at different rates, and it is thought that because cartilage grows more quickly, the curvature becomes more pronounced and the shape becomes irregular.
What are the symptoms?
One nostril, either the right or the left, is always blocked (this is called alternating nasal congestion).
Unable to breathe through the nose, you end up breathing through your mouth.
Mouth breathing causes morning sore throat and dry mouth.
Unable to breathe through the nose, you end up snoring.
Sleep apnea.
Smell is slightly blocked, causing headaches.
Difficulty smelling.
Recurrent nosebleeds. etc
Explanation using CT images
What treatment should I get?
If oral medications and nasal drops are ineffective,
Surgery can improve symptoms.
Nasal congestion is often caused not only by a deviated septum, but also by allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.
Conservative non-surgical treatments (oral medications and nasal drops) are first attempted, but if symptoms persist,
For those with a severely deviated septum, surgery can dramatically improve symptoms.
We perform septal correction and submucosal inferior turbinate resection (the latter as needed).
There are also a significant number of patients who do not have allergic rhinitis or sinusitis,
whose primary cause of nasal congestion is a deviated septum.
For patients with allergic rhinitis, posterior nasal neurectomy, which can potentially relieve allergic symptoms, may also be performed at the same time.
This is an endoscopic procedure performed entirely from inside the nostrils (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).
No external scars are left.
There is little to no postoperative swelling. (The inside of the nose will swell, causing nasal congestion for about a week after surgery.)
Pain is very mild to the point that it can be controlled with oral pain medication.
Patients in Japan who are eligible for surgery can be treated under health insurance. Patients coming from overseas will be eligible for elective care. Please inquire about costs.
Using an endoscope, we will address complications (nasal septum perforation, saddle nose, bleeding, infection, orbital complications, intracranial complications, etc.).
We have made every effort to ensure that even those with high anxiety can undergo treatment with peace of mind.
Treatment is usually scheduled
for a short stay of one night and two days. Patients coming from overseas will be required to arrive in Osaka the day before surgery and will be required to fast from midnight the day before. We recommend staying at a nearby hotel for at least two nights after discharge. (Route Inn Kishiwada Izumi)
We understand that some people are a little scared of surgery.
However, surgery is performed under general anesthesia and is completed while you are asleep, so it is not particularly frightening.
Of course, there is no pain during surgery. Our surgeons are highly skilled in this field, and the procedure takes so little time that a urethral catheter is not inserted.
For nasal surgery, postoperative pain is not severe, so oral pain medication is sufficient.
To control bleeding immediately after surgery,
A sponge-like hemostatic material that gently spreads inside the nose is used.
When you are discharged from the hospital (usually the day after surgery), your nasal tampon will also be removed before you go home.
To reduce resistance when removing the tampon, a sheet is wrapped around the sponge-like hemostatic material to prevent wound adhesions.
Since it does not stick to the wound, it comes out easily and with minimal pain.
We sometimes receive treatment requests from patients from far away, including overseas.
We provide individual support before your appointment and are flexible to ensure smooth treatment.
Even if you think the distance is a little too far, please feel free to contact us.
For patients who live far away, we can also arrange accommodation at a nearby business hotel for postoperative follow-up.
Some people may be interested in this treatment but hesitate because it's a bit far away, but
If done properly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure. Please feel free to contact us even if you just want to discuss it.
"If I knew it would be this much easier, I wish I had done it sooner..."
We often hear this comment.
Operated by experienced Japanese specialists
Being able to breathe comfortably through your nose is important for good sleep.
Nasal treatment improves sleep quality and extends healthy life expectancy, making it a significant part of health management.
We reshape the inside of your nose with sleep in mind. We will also work with you to consider lifestyle improvements such as weight management.
I have treated over 20 patients for surfer's ear, and have accepted surgery from overseas.
For treatment requests from overseas, the doctor himself will personally interview them online to confirm eligibility and provide individual guidance.
If you are suffering from nasal congestion, please contact us using the form below.
Haruka Nakanishi MD. PhD
E-Mail: n.rider@hotmail.co.jp
Facebook: Haruka Nakanishi
Instagram: earsurgery.surf
594-0041 Izumichuo station 2F 5-5-1 Ibukino Izumi Osaka Japan.
Tel 0725-50-3333
The surgery will be performed here.
Oiki Ear and Nose clinic
594-0061
2-14-13 yayoi-cho, izumi-shi, Osaka, Japan
Tel (＋81) 725-47-3113
Before coming Japan
For safe general anesthesia, we have to check the exams below within 2 month before operation in Japan.
Therefore, I would like you to be tested the exams list below once again for this operation.
These tests are standard for pre-operative exams.
Please show this list to your physician and ask him to check the result is OK for general anesthesia (usually about 3hrs).
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Spirometry (if possible)
Blood type (ABO&RH)
Blood test (CBC with platelet, total protein, albumin, urinary acid, BUN, creatinine, NA, K, CL, T-cho, TG, T-Bil, GOT, GPT, ALP, γ-GTP, CHE, LDH, CPK, AMY, BloodSugar Coagulation test (PT, aPTT) Infection test (HBsAg, HCVab, TPHA)
Chest X ray-picture
Urine-test