Chronic Nasal Congestion Can be cured

Chronic nasal congestion affects the quality of patient’s lives. The problem can hinder people’s concentration during study and work. Operating normal daily activities could be tiring and leads to lack of sleep that results in sleep deprivation throughout the day. One of the factors causing nasal congestion is an inflammation of the lining located inside the nasal cavity (Turbinate) or the nasal septum. Patients often have symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, headache, and difficulty of breathing.

Treatment for Chronic Nasal Congestion

ENT specialist or otolaryngologist will firstly perform a physical examination to diagnose the cause of nasal congestion, then will provide a proper treatment to the patient according to the cause of illness by the following methods: 

• Prescribe allergy medications to control the symptoms of patient who has allergic rhinitis.
• Recommend nasal septum fixation surgery for patient who has severe deviated nasal septum, or prescribe anti-inflammation medications for the patient who has inflammation of the nasal cavity. In case patient does not respond to the medications or has enlarged turbinate, the doctor will then recommend Radiofrequency (RF) treatment.

Radiofrequency (RF) Treatment for Turbinate Reduction

During the Radiofrequency (RF) treatment, the otolaryngologist will insert a special needle into the turbinate and Radiofrequency will convert into thermal energy which will be transmitted to the tissue to cause a reduction of the turbinate, allowing improved airflow of the nose. In addition, Radiofrequency treatment can also reduce itchiness, runny nose and phlegm in the throat. In case the patient has recurrence of nasal congestion due to the enlargement of turbinate, the same method can be used to for treatment again.