Nasal Implant (Latera)

Because the nose is the focal point of the face, conditions that affect it must be handled with care and expertise. Preserving both form and function is very important when addressing nasal problems. Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is one of the most common reasons patients visit an ENT physician. Luckily, it is relatively easy to treat. Meet the LATERA® nasal implant solution.

What Is Nasal Airway Obstruction?

NAO occurs when an abnormality of the nose prevents air from passing through the nostrils freely. This creates difficulty breathing, which often leads to other issues such as sleep apnea and chronic fatigue. NAO is usually considered a secondary complication of the following conditions:

• Deviated septum
• Rhinosinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Foreign body in the nose
• Enlarged adenoids
• Allergies
• Nasal injuries

What are the symptoms?

The most prominent and bothersome symptom of nasal airway obstruction is difficulty breathing through the nose, but it is often accompanied by many other symptoms, including:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Reduced sense of smell or taste
• Sinus pressure
• Fatigue

How is it treated?

Along with balloon sinus dilation and turbinate reduction, NAO can be treated with the use of nasal implants. After examining the area with an otoscope, your physician will determine the best solution. Patients who are good candidates for nasal implants typically experience nasal valve collapse. This is less serious than it sounds; it simply means that when you inhale, one or both sides of your nose sink inward, narrowing the nasal passage. The cartilage is weak and cannot provide the stability needed to keep the airways open. A nasal implant will help strengthen the nasal walls and prevent this from happening.

Is a Nasal Implant Right for Me?

Again, it depends on your specific diagnosis, but there are a couple of clues that your nasal airway obstruction may be caused by nasal valve collapse:

Do nasal strips help?

Many people with NAO wear a special kind of band on their noses at night to improve symptoms like snoring and sleep apnea. These adhesive strips work by lifting the nostrils, and the resulting increase in airflow allows you to breathe comfortably in your sleep. Nasal strips can be purchased over the counter at any pharmacy.

Try the Cottle Maneuver

Place your fingers in the middle of each cheek and gently pull outward towards your ears, stretching your nostrils open. If this lessens or alleviates your congestion, that’s another good indicator that your nasal passages need more stability.