Rhinoplasty or Nose Job to Correct Breathing Problems

Did you know that besides being done for purely cosmetic reasons, a nose job, or rhinoplasty, may also be performed to correct certain breathing problems? Basically, the function of a nose is to assist in breathing efficiently as well as comfortably. But, sometimes there are nasal abnormalities that may be something a person is born with, or may be the result of infection, accident or some type of injury and trauma.

For instance, sometimes when a nose is broken, scar tissue that might completely or partially block the nasal airways can form, causing breathing problems. In addition to causing difficulty breathing, scar tissue inside the nose can also cause an embarrassing whistling noise when you breathe, or other noises. Needless to say, this is not ideal.

Scar tissue can also cause other problems. There may be a condition known as rhinorrhea, which is excessive mucous from the nose caused by scar tissue inside the nasal passages. Going through life with a constantly drippy nose isn’t a pleasant prospect.

One of the most common reasons why people have a cosmetic surgeon perform rhinoplasty, besides appearance, is for a condition called deviated septum. The nasal septum is the dividing wall between your nostrils. It extends back into the nasal cavity, and if this wall, or septum, is twisted, crooked, or otherwise not in the position nature intended; it can cause problems.

A deviated septum can result in a smaller nasal passage on one or both sides, which causes problems with breathing. Besides that, a deviated septum can even cause the nose itself to be misshapen or crooked, and may also result in repeated, chronic sinus infections. Luckily, most cases of deviated septum or other nasal problems that result in difficulty breathing can be quickly and easily corrected by a plastic surgeon.

If you always have a stuffy nose, or have breathing problems associated with your nasal passages, you should talk to a cosmetic surgeon about having rhinoplasty to correct the condition.

Ontario cosmetic surgeon Peter Brownrigg, MD, has extensive experience performing blepharoplasty, Thermage, BOTOX injections, and other cosmetic procedures.