Will Rhinoplasty Help Me Get More Rest at Night?
Struggles with nasal breathing are a clear contributor to insomnia and sleep disturbances. Those with a deviated septum, nasal obstruction, or other structural abnormalities in the nose may not be able to breathe easily, which could affect their ability to eat, sleep, and exercise normally.
Rhinoplasty offers the opportunity to resolve nasal obstructions and other concerns that may affect your quality of life.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Often referred to as a nose job, rhinoplasty changes the shape and structure of the patient’s nose.
While cosmetic rhinoplasty is an aesthetic operation that aims to restore balance to the face and improve the overall shape of the nose, functional rhinoplasty focuses on shaping the interior nasal passages and improving breathing.
What Medical Concerns Does Functional Rhinoplasty Fix?
Those seeking functional rhinoplasty often have nasal passages that may be too narrow, crooked, or misaligned. While some patients suffer from these concerns from birth onward, others develop misalignment or narrowing of their septum due to trauma.
When patients undergo a functional rhinoplasty solely to straighten the septum, the procedure is also called septoplasty.
Another form of functional rhinoplasty is a turbinate reduction. Those with chronic allergies and sinus infections may experience swelling and enlargement of their turbinates. Enlarged turbinates can restrict airflow in the nasal passages, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
Functional Rhinoplasty and Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs as a result of restricted airways during sleep and causes snoring, fatigue, and breathing pauses. Those with chronic nasal congestion are much more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea due to narrow nasal passages.
While the most common treatment for sleep apnea is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping, sleep apnea rhinoplasty is an effective solution for patients with nasal structural abnormalities. For the right candidate, sleep apnea rhinoplasty is more effective than a CPAP for reducing sleep apnea.
Can Rhinoplasty Improve My Sleep if I Don’t Have Sleep Apnea?
If you commonly experience nighttime nasal congestion, sinus infections, sinus pressure headaches, and snoring, clearing your nasal passages through rhinoplasty can alleviate your symptoms and prevent them from progressing into sleep apnea.
Snoring is a common symptom of poor breathing while you sleep, so those who snore regularly and loudly should seek the advice of a healthcare professional to determine whether they have a nasal obstruction.
While there are numerous causes of nighttime breathing issues, a functional rhinoplasty offers an effective solution for people who experience poor sleep because of nasal obstruction.
Can Functional Rhinoplasty Change the Shape of My Nose?
Every rhinoplasty is customized to the individual needs of the patient. A surgeon can tailor functional rhinoplasty to address your specific obstruction type and ultimate aesthetic goals.
Many patients choose to enhance their nose’s function and form in one procedure. A qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon can improve your facial balance and enhance your appearance by combining cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty into one surgery.
The benefits of rhinoplasty extend beyond aesthetics. For those suffering from decreased nasal airflow, functional rhinoplasty can improve their quality of life.
