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UNDERSTANDING NASAL AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION

Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from this common condition?

Think you may have NAO?

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What is Nasal Airway Obstruction (NAO)?

NAO occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage in the nasal passage, making it difficult or nearly impossible to breathe through your nose. It’s a common condition that often goes undiagnosed, leaving many people silently struggling. In fact, 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from constant nasal congestion and blockage due to NAO, making it especially hard to breathe during sleep, exercise, or physical exertion.1

While NAO isn’t life-threatening, it can greatly reduce your quality of life. Many rely on over-the-counter nasal strips or sprays for temporary relief, but these don’t address the root cause. NAO can significantly affect sleep quality and be a contributing factor to other sleep disorders.2 For athletes, nasal obstruction can hinder their performance and limit their potential.

Symptoms of NAO

Does it regularly feel like you can’t breathe clearly through your nose? These common symptoms might be signs of nasal airway obstruction:

Trouble breathing through your nose or a “blocked” feeling

Difficulty sleeping, leading to fatigue

Struggling to breathe through your nose during exercise

Frequent “mouth breathing”

Take the NOSE Score quiz to assess the severity of your symptoms

What causes NAO

Nasal obstruction can make it difficult to breathe clearly through your nose, which can greatly affect your quality of life. This can be caused by structural issues, inflammation or swelling inside the nose, a deviated septum, or enlarged turbinates.

Find additional information and answers on our FAQs page.

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How is NAO Typically Treated?

Many patients begin managing nasal obstruction with nasal sprays, decongestants, or breathing strips. While these can provide temporary relief, those with chronic nasal obstruction may benefit from a more lasting solution by addressing the root cause.

VivAer® procedure is a non-invasive treatment that gently reshapes the nasal airway, providing long-term relief from nasal obstruction. It might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Discover VivAer

Not sure if you have Nasal Airway Obstruction?

Try the Cottle Maneuver or take this brief questionnaire to assess your symptoms.

References:
  1. Stewart M, Ferguson B, Fromer L. Epidemiology and burden of nasal congestion. Int J Gen Med. 2010 Apr 8;3:37-45. doi: 10.2147/ijgm.s8077. PMID: 20463822; PMCID: PMC2866547.
  2. Sall Edward. Nasal Airway Obstruction and Precision Oral Appliance Therapy in the Treatment of OSA. Dental Sleep Practice. 2022 May: https://dentalsleeppractice.com/nasal-airway-obstruction-and-precision-oral-appliance-therapy-in-the-treatment-of-osa/

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