Typical breathing problems are usually caused by one of two things:

• A deviated septum, the wall that separates the nostrils
• Imperfect turbinates

Turbinates are long, narrow structures made of spongy bone inside the nose. Also known as nasal concha, turbinates have a number of functions, including:

• Good breathing
• Playing a role in immunological defense
• Keeping the olfactory receptors (for your sense of smell) working

But if the turbinates swell too much, your breathing may be blocked. The swelling can be caused by:

• Allergies
• Irritants in the environment
• Persistent infection in the sinuses
• Disease

The actual function of turbinates is to swell and subside many times  during the day to change the size of the air pathway.  Turbinates even cause you to roll over in your sleep!

In some cases, nasal surgery on the turbinates is done. But due to their role in breathing, only small amounts should be removed.

However, if the surgeon is too aggressive, a separate condition known as “empty nose syndrome” can be created.

Results?

Affected patients frequently complain about chronic dryness, stuffiness and a congested feeling in the nose, along with breathing difficulties and, sometimes, a feeling of not being able to get enough air into their lungs.

Others complain of burning, crusting and pain inside the nose.

Difficulties sleeping may crop up, too.

Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS) happens often enough that a self-help website, EmptyNoseSyndrome.org, was created in 2005.

The website offers a forum for Empty Nose sufferers along with information from plastic surgeons who specialize in the condition. And yes, treatments do exist for ENS.

We’ve often said that rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult surgeries for surgeons to learn and master due to the complexity of the human nose.

So checking your surgeon’s training, credentials and certification is more important than ever.

ENS is just one example of why.
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