Trouble Breathing Through Your Nose? How Nasal Valve Treatment Can Restore Airflow

Breathing through your nose shouldn’t be something you notice. When everything’s working right, air just flows in and out without any thought or effort on your part. You go through your entire day without giving it a second thought.

That changes when something blocks that airflow. Instead of easy, automatic breaths, it can feel like trying to suck air through a narrow straw. Simple things like climbing stairs or having a conversation can leave you winded. At night, the problem gets worse and keeps you from sleeping well.

Several things can make it hard to breathe through your nose, such as allergies or a deviated septum. But another common cause that is often overlooked is nasal valve problems. The nasal valve is the narrowest part of your airway. When it’s weak or collapses inward, it blocks your airflow.

If a weak or collapsed nasal valve is causing your breathing trouble, nasal valve treatment can restore normal airflow. However, you need an experienced specialist to figure out what exactly is wrong. Mani Zadeh, MD, an ENT specialist, specializes in diagnosing and treating these problems. 

If you suspect something is wrong with your breathing, his practice is the best place to get answers. Here, he explains what nasal valve problems are, why they happen, how treatment works, and what results you can expect.

What is the nasal valve?

Your nasal valve is a small area just inside your nostrils. It’s the narrowest part of your nose where air passes through. The walls of this area are made of cartilage. When the cartilage is strong, the walls stay open, and air flows through easily. But when the cartilage is weak, the walls can collapse inward when you breathe, blocking your airflow.

Think about drinking through a paper straw. When the straw is new and firm, liquid flows through easily. But if the straw gets wet and weak, it collapses when you try to suck through it. Your nasal valve works the same way. 

What causes nasal valve problems

Aging is a major factor. As you get older, the cartilage in your nose weakens, just like cartilage elsewhere in your body. This causes the nasal valve to weaken over time and become more likely to collapse inward when you breathe. You might notice that your breathing gets gradually harder over the years.

Injuries can damage the cartilage that supports the nasal valve. Even old injuries can cause problems as the damaged cartilage continues to weaken. Some people are born with narrow nasal passages or weak cartilage. If you’ve always had trouble breathing through your nose, this might be why.

Nose surgery can weaken the nasal valve if too much cartilage is removed, which is why choosing an experienced surgeon for any nasal procedure matters. Chronic allergies and inflammation can also contribute. The constant swelling puts pressure on an already narrow space.

How treatment works 

For mild cases, external nasal strips can help. These pull your nostrils open from the outside. Internal nasal dilators work similarly from inside your nose. Both options provide temporary relief but only work while you’re wearing them.

When the structural problem is more serious, Dr. Zadeh may recommend surgery. The most common option is cartilage grafts, where Dr. Zadeh takes a small piece of cartilage from your septum or ear and uses it to reinforce the weak areas. These grafts hold the nasal valve open so it doesn’t collapse when you breathe.

If your nostrils cave inward when you inhale, grafts can be placed along the outer wall to support that area, which prevents the nostril from collapsing. Sometimes the existing cartilage simply needs to be repositioned and reinforced with sutures rather than adding grafts.

These surgeries are usually performed as outpatient procedures. You’re put under sedation or general anesthesia and go home the same day. Recovery takes about a week before you can return to normal activities, though you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks.

Most people notice a dramatic improvement in their breathing. Better breathing leads to better sleep. You wake up feeling rested, and your energy improves during the day. Even your ability to focus can improve when your brain gets proper oxygen.

If you’ve struggled with nasal obstruction for a long time and treatments haven’t worked, nasal valve problems might be the cause. But you can’t diagnose this yourself. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Zadeh today to get to the bottom of your breathing problems.