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What Causes Nasal Block While Breathing With Deep Inspiration?
Question: Hello,
About a year and a half ago I discovered cocaine and slowly but surely became addicted to it. I snorted cocaine regularly for about a year. In terms of quantity, we're talking anything from 1 or 2 grams to 4 grams a week - I would have a "session" 1 - 3 days a week in the evenings. I have no idea what quality the cocaine was.
During a session a few months ago, I inhaled and my right nostril closed up as I breathed in. This freaked me out and I immediately stopped. It has now been 91 days since I last took any cocaine and I have absolutely no desired to snort cocaine or any other drugs ever again at risk of causing more damage to my nose. I also noticed that my septum on the right side seems to be deeper than it should be. I mentioned this to an ENT specialist who briefly took a look a few months before I stopped and who told me there was a little bit of tissue damage but that would repair itself in time if i stopped. While I may not have been a super heavy user of cocaine, I do pick my nose and so i think I prevented my nose from repairing every time it got damaged from cocaine use.
My nose looks fine and i can breathe in through my nose without any problems now but if I breathe in hard, the right nostril closes up. It also appears that the right nostril is slightly smaller than the left. I'm worried I have done permanent damage to my nose and was wondering what course of action I should take. It's been three months and it doesn't appear like it is repairing itself. Is it possible that damage can continue even after I've stopped snorting? Could there be an infection or something that is leading to more damage that will worsen over time? I am in no pain whatsoever and can breath fine / smell fine. My right nostril is pretty much always clear. When I put my finger up my each nostril the bit that prevents your finger going up further into your nose is sturdy in the left nostril but in the right nostril it is very flimsy (almost useless) and is often crusted over. Will the nose repair over time or should I seek more advice / treatment? What is the best course of action?
I have attached photos of my nose normally and when i breathe in hard. If i breathe in normally it doesn't happen.
Thanks.
About a year and a half ago I discovered cocaine and slowly but surely became addicted to it. I snorted cocaine regularly for about a year. In terms of quantity, we're talking anything from 1 or 2 grams to 4 grams a week - I would have a "session" 1 - 3 days a week in the evenings. I have no idea what quality the cocaine was.
During a session a few months ago, I inhaled and my right nostril closed up as I breathed in. This freaked me out and I immediately stopped. It has now been 91 days since I last took any cocaine and I have absolutely no desired to snort cocaine or any other drugs ever again at risk of causing more damage to my nose. I also noticed that my septum on the right side seems to be deeper than it should be. I mentioned this to an ENT specialist who briefly took a look a few months before I stopped and who told me there was a little bit of tissue damage but that would repair itself in time if i stopped. While I may not have been a super heavy user of cocaine, I do pick my nose and so i think I prevented my nose from repairing every time it got damaged from cocaine use.
My nose looks fine and i can breathe in through my nose without any problems now but if I breathe in hard, the right nostril closes up. It also appears that the right nostril is slightly smaller than the left. I'm worried I have done permanent damage to my nose and was wondering what course of action I should take. It's been three months and it doesn't appear like it is repairing itself. Is it possible that damage can continue even after I've stopped snorting? Could there be an infection or something that is leading to more damage that will worsen over time? I am in no pain whatsoever and can breath fine / smell fine. My right nostril is pretty much always clear. When I put my finger up my each nostril the bit that prevents your finger going up further into your nose is sturdy in the left nostril but in the right nostril it is very flimsy (almost useless) and is often crusted over. Will the nose repair over time or should I seek more advice / treatment? What is the best course of action?
I have attached photos of my nose normally and when i breathe in hard. If i breathe in normally it doesn't happen.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Narrow nasal valve in the right nostril...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query.
I have examined the images posted by you thoroughly. I am of the opinion that the nasal valve region of your right nostril seems to be narrow and weak compared to that of the opposite side. This is one of the reason for the nasal block when you try to breath-in with deep inspiration.
Secondly, with the elaborate history you have mentioned, I do presume, you could be having septal deviation to the right, causing narrowing of the right nostril.
Snorting does damage the nasal mucosa making it dry and sore. As you have already stopped snorting, the nasal mucosa will definitely regenerate to its normal strength.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water, this keeps the nasal mucosa moist.
2. Use saline nasal spray and saline nasal ointment to keep the nasal mucosa moist and repair the damaged tissue.
3. Avoid nose picking and smoking.
Hope with the above measures you should be getting better. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Narrow nasal valve in the right nostril...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query.
I have examined the images posted by you thoroughly. I am of the opinion that the nasal valve region of your right nostril seems to be narrow and weak compared to that of the opposite side. This is one of the reason for the nasal block when you try to breath-in with deep inspiration.
Secondly, with the elaborate history you have mentioned, I do presume, you could be having septal deviation to the right, causing narrowing of the right nostril.
Snorting does damage the nasal mucosa making it dry and sore. As you have already stopped snorting, the nasal mucosa will definitely regenerate to its normal strength.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water, this keeps the nasal mucosa moist.
2. Use saline nasal spray and saline nasal ointment to keep the nasal mucosa moist and repair the damaged tissue.
3. Avoid nose picking and smoking.
Hope with the above measures you should be getting better. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
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