What is Nasal Airway Obstruction | Nasal Congestion Treatment

Wondering if you have NAO?

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What is Nasal Airway Obstruction (NAO)?

NAO occurs when the nasal passages narrow or become blocked, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. It’s a common yet often undiagnosed condition, affecting an estimated 20 million people in the U.S. and making everyday activities like sleep, exercise, and physical exertion more challenging.¹

While not life-threatening, NAO can significantly impact quality of life. Many people rely on over-the-counter nasal strips or sprays for temporary relief, but these solutions do not address the underlying cause. NAO is also associated with poor sleep quality and may contribute to other sleep disorders.² For athletes, nasal obstruction can impair performance and limit overall potential

Symptoms of NAO

Do you often feel like you can’t breathe clearly through your nose? These common symptoms may be signs of nasal airway obstruction:

Persistent difficulty breathing through your nose or a “blocked” sensation

Poor sleep quality or fatigue due to disrupted sleeping

Shortness of breath through the nose during exercise

Frequent “mouth breathing”

Assess your symptoms in minutes with the NOSE quiz

What Causes NAO?

Nasal obstruction can make it hard to breathe clearly through your nose and can impact your quality of life. Common causes include structural issues, inflammation or swelling, a deviated septum, or enlarged turbinates.

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How is NAO Typically Treated?

Many people start by managing nasal obstruction with sprays, decongestants, or breathing strips. While these may provide temporary relief, those with chronic symptoms may benefit from a more lasting solution that addresses the root cause.

VivAer procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that gently reshapes the nasal airway, helping improve breathing and provide long-term relief from nasal obstruction. It might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

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Not Sure If You Have Nasal Airway Obstruction?

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

Cottle Maneuver

This test helps assess improvement in nasal breathing.

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NOSE Score

This brief questionnaire assesses severity of symptoms.