Nose conditions and treatments

Allergic rhinitis can be caused by many different triggers, some of which may be seasonal (such as hay fever) and some of which will be present year round. Patients with allergic rhinitis may have symptoms present all year or they may find that their symptoms only occur at certain times of the year. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose or a blocked nose.

Smell and taste are senses so integral to our daily lives that we don't notice how much of an impact they have until they stop working properly. With full access to the diagnosic tests and equipment available at Spire Portsmouth Hospital, our team of ENT consultants will be able to quickly assess and treat the condition where possible.

Nasal congestion makes the nose feel blocked so that breathing becomes difficult. It is often caused by the inside of the nose becoming inflamed or irritated, which makes the nose produce more mucus.

Nasal congestion can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as:

• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Septum deviation.

Various medical and surgical options are available to manage nasal congestion. Speak to your GP or consultant if you are concerned.

Nose bleeds can be a troublesome and frustrating condition that can impact very significantly on a patient’s quality of life. It can also sometimes be a sign of more serious underlying nasal inflammation or, rarely, more serious conditions affecting the nose and sinuses. It is therefore a symptom that should not be ignored.

The sinuses are small pockets of air within the bones of the face. They are connected to the nose via narrow passageways and openings. These channels can become blocked or inflamed for a variety of reasons and this leads to the condition called “sinusitis”.

The main symptoms that patients experience related to sinusitis are:

• Changes in sense of smell
• Excessive catarhh
• Facial congestion
• Headaches
• Toothache

Sinusitis can often be treated through medication, but where medication is not an option or does not work, surgery may be recommended. This can be performed laparoscopically (keyhole) and aims to restore the normal ventilation and drainage of the sinuses as well as allowing better access for topical treatments in the management of certain conditions associated with chronic sinus inflammation.

Snoring is defined by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association as a coarse sound made by vibrations of the soft palate and other tissue in the mouth, nose and throat (upper airway) due to turbulence inside the airway. The turbulence is caused by a partial blockage that may be located anywhere from the tip of the nose to the vocal chords. If the airway blockage is severe, this may result in sleep apnoea.

Snoring is a common problem that can have a significantly disruptive effect on peoples’ lives. It is estimated that up to 50% of the UK population snore from time to time.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is defined as the cessation of airflow during sleep preventing air from entering the lungs caused by an obstruction. When you experience an episode of apnoea during sleep your brain automatically wakes you up, usually with a very loud snore or snort, in order to breathe again.

People with OSA can experience these wakening episodes many times during the night and consequently may feel very sleepy during the day.