Breathing should be effortless, your nose and airways working together to filter, warm, and deliver air to your lungs. When it isn’t, many people blame “allergy season” or sleeping with the AC on, but these symptoms can signal deeper issues. At Louisiana ENT Specialists, the largest ENT network in Louisiana, we find the exact cause and use advanced, minimally invasive treatments to restore clear, healthy breathing.
1) Everyday Congestion and Its Underlying Causes
If your nose feels blocked most days, ongoing inflammation from allergies is often the culprit. Congestion disrupts breathing, sleep, and daily comfort. We identify triggers through comprehensive allergy testing and create a plan that treats the root cause—not just the symptoms.
You may notice:
- Persistent mouth breathing
- Waking with a dry mouth or headache
- Lingering postnasal drip
- Reduced sense of smell
Our ENT doctors uncover environmental, food, or medication triggers and develop personalized plans that may include immunotherapy, such as allergy shots or drops, and targeted medical treatments to control inflammation, prevent flare-ups, and restore easy breathing. In some cases, nasal obstruction results from structural issues rather than allergies, requiring a different approach.
2) Deviated Septum and Airflow Problems
A crooked septum, the wall dividing your nostrils, can block airflow, cause sinus infections, and worsen snoring. Many cases trace back to an old injury.
Signs include:
- One nostril consistently harder to breathe through
- Recurring sinus pressure or infections on the same side
- Difficulty catching your breath during exercise despite good fitness
We confirm septal deviations using nasal endoscopy and imaging, then correct them with outpatient septoplasty. This precise procedure straightens the septum, restoring airflow and allowing patients to breathe clearly, often with a quick, smooth recovery.
3) Swollen Turbinates and Narrowed Airways
Turbinates are small, bony structures inside your nose covered by mucous membrane. They help warm, humidify, and filter the air you breathe before it reaches your lungs. Allergies or chronic irritation can cause them to swell, narrowing the airway. If medications provide relief for only a few hours, this may be the cause.
Look for:
- Blockage that shifts sides when lying down
- Short-lived relief from sprays, followed by quick congestion return
- Snoring that worsens with allergy flare-ups
Our team starts with medical therapy to reduce swelling. When needed, we perform turbinate reduction procedures that open the airway while preserving the nose’s natural ability to warm and filter inhaled air.
4) Nasal Polyps and Persistent Sinus Blockage
Long-term sinus inflammation can cause swelling, infections, and polyp growth that obstruct breathing. Symptoms may also include brain fog, facial pressure, and a reduced sense of taste and smell.
Look for:
- Congestion lasting 12 weeks or more
- Repeat sinus infections despite treatment
- Lingering loss of smell or taste
We treat these conditions with evidence-based medical therapy to reduce inflammation and shrink polyps. For more complex cases, we may recommend biologic treatments or advanced, image-guided procedures, such as balloon sinuplasty or functional endoscopic sinus surgery, to restore healthy airflow and drainage.
5) Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Breathing pauses during sleep reduce oxygen levels and disturb rest, leading to fatigue, irritability, and increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cognitive decline. Snoring can be an early warning sign.
Warning signs:
- Loud, nightly snoring or gasping
- Morning headaches or daytime fatigue
- Bed partner notices breathing pauses
We perform a thorough airway and sleep evaluation, supported by home or in-lab sleep testing when appropriate. Treatment plans are customized to your airway anatomy and overall health, and may include lifestyle guidance, medical therapies, custom-fitted oral appliances, or surgical solutions.
Your Path to Better Breathing Starts Here
Breathing problems are common but never routine. Whether the cause is allergies, structural blockage, chronic sinus inflammation, or sleep apnea, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward lasting relief. LENTS combines advanced technology with a patient-first approach to restore clear, comfortable breathing.
If congestion, blocked nasal breathing, or snoring is affecting your life, schedule an evaluation. Our team will explain your options, answer every question, and guide you from diagnosis to results with warmth and skill.
