I always have nostril congested, even at sleep.

[king_alvaro]

Ever since I can remember, I have always had one nostril congested. It is usually my right one. I thought at first it probably was an allergy but I am not sure now. I have taken Zyrtec and benadryl at the same time, and have not noticed a difference. I use normal saline and it only clears them just a bit. But I am still congested in at least one nostril. Afrin does not help completely. I finally want to do something about it.
My AHI, is always below 0.5. I sleep 8 hours and low leaks. I usually wake up tired. I have been thinking probably my sleep apnea is under control but there is difficulty in getting the air to my lungs since I am congested. Could be congested make cpap therapy less effective?
I am always congested 24/7. There is not one time of the day were I can say I my nose is clear. I have been thinking of seeing an ENT. I have been trying to avoid this since I dont have insurance. But I think I will have to see him soon.
From what I described here might I have deviated septum or something like that?

[cosmo]

Ever since I can remember, I have always had one nostril congested.... I finally want to do something about it.

Get it operated on. I plan on doing something drastic about my chronic congestion this or next year. I can sleep fine with my nasal pillows even with congestion.

[Pualani]

Deviated septum was what my ENT diagnosed last fall and wants to do the out patient surgery. I also have very swollen turbinates so makes me wonder if the surgery will do any good - just swell up again? have you tried an elimination diet to see if eleminating any of the common allergens would help? milk in particular. I had one good day last week where I could actually breathe through both sides and it was amazing. My ahi was 0. I can't figure out what I did that helped. Nothing different. I do feel like I am suffocating sometimes. I had hoped the humidity and heated hose would help but no. it is such a chore to do something that is supposed to be so natural - just breathe.

[n0hardmask]

Deviated septum was what my ENT diagnosed last fall and wants to do the out patient surgery. I also have very swollen turbinates so makes me wonder if the surgery will do any good - just swell up again? have you tried an elimination diet to see if eleminating any of the common allergens would help? milk in particular. I had one good day last week where I could actually breathe through both sides and it was amazing. My ahi was 0. I can't figure out what I did that helped. Nothing different. I do feel like I am suffocating sometimes. I had hoped the humidity and heated hose would help but no. it is such a chore to do something that is supposed to be so natural - just breathe.

I agree wholeheartedly with the first part of what Pualani said. I had deviated septum surgery before CPAP: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69252&p=642295&hili ... es#p642295 I have the turminates and won't do the surgery again.. and again.
I'd sure like to know how to beat this issue.

[qmx]

It would seem to me that if you have chronic nasal congestion, you should try a full face mask to deliver most of the air through your mouth. DEAN

[SmilingSharon]

If anyone can travel to the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, they have an incredible ENT. His name is Dr. Brent Senior. He is incredibly brilliant and has even developed some procedures to help patients breath better. Actually, at UNC they have "E" doctors (Ears), "N" doctors (Nose) which is what Dr. Senior is.. and "T" doctors (Throat). So, the doctors are extremely talented in their specialties. Another thing I like about Dr. Senior is that he does not like to rush everyone into surgery. I thought I might need surgery but he discouraged it. Quite refreshing to find a doctor who truly cares about each individual. Here's a link to his information. http://www.med.unc.edu/ent/faculty/clin ... or-md-facs

[mcpascaln]

Right now, one of my right nose is not working properly but the effect is generally negligible when it comes to overall breathing. I think, chemical exposure like those ones found in dish washer as instances when you either hand wash or machine wash dishes and you exposed to hot steam mixed with dish soap.

[mamagoober]

I had a badly deviated septum. One nostril was ALWAYS feeling congested. If someone would have covered my mouth and plugged my good nostril, I couldn't have lasted 5 minutes. I had it surgically corrected 12/11 and it was the smartest thing I have done in a long time. I always wondered how people breathed with their mouths closed! Now I know!!!

[herefishy]

Have you tried one of the nasal dilators that open up the nostrils from the inside?

[patrissimo]

If your AHI is basically zero, but your sleep is unrefreshing, rather than working on airway/breathing issues, have you considered other possibilities? For example, how much REM & deep sleep do you get in your PSGs (perhaps your titration study)? How much do you wake up during the night? Could you be habituated to poor quality sleep from years of untreated OSA?

Or perhaps it's another condition, for example have you checked thyroid levels?

[chunkyfrog]

Have you ruled out allergies or tried a nasal rinse?
These are not expensive things to try, and you might check them out first, if you have not already.

[king_alvaro]

I don't have any symptoms of hypo and hyperthyroidism. I have the zeo and it indicates I have good rem and good deep sleep. I average around 85 on score per night.

[cosmo]

How many times a night do you wake up?

[RogerAN]

I had major sinus congestion for many years (dating back to the early 1960's) which involved sinus polyps. I had surgery 5 or 6 times over the years to remove the polyps. I have breathed through my mouth for the past 50 years because when both nostrils are nearly 100 percent blocked because of the polyps, one has little choice. This has been a problem with every type of CPAP mask I have used, even with a chin strap, although just three days ago I received a new Respironics Deluxe chin strap (the wide white one) and my leakage rate dropped immediately to zero on my daily readings. Needless to say, I am thrilled that I have finally found a solution to leaks from my mask. I don't know if your problem is polyps, but I would seek out a good ENT specialist to have a checkup. Best wishes to all in this new year.

[Pualani]

I am reading up on nasal congestion. It can be one sign of LPR - a type of acid reflux in which you don't have the usual heartburn but nasal congestion, mucus, sore throat are some of the symptoms. I am beginning to think this is my problem for various reasons.

Jan. 6 I had a small dinner of plain foods (roasted chicken), 1 glass of wine, and stayed up until 11 p.m. watching Downton Abbey. We were staying at a hotel. I used my saline rinse before the show started. I sat up and watched the show and then layed down with CPAP on. I was shocked that the machine was not blowing little puffs of air at my like usual and discovered that my nose was clear! SHOCKING I wore the CPAP 2 hours, awoke at 5 a.m. to go skiing (only 6 hours of sleep) and discovered that my nose was still clear. My AHI was 0!!! And I was totally energetic and ready to jump out of bed. I must have gotten some good sleep in those 6 hours.

I have not been able to replicate this little experiment. I thought it might be using the saline solution earlier. Now I am beginning to suspect LPR. Tonight I am not going to over eat or drink, stay up to 11 and see what happens.