Breathing Through Your Mouth? Your Nose May Be the Problem

Breathing through your mouth once in a while is normal. But if you regularly find yourself breathing through your mouth during the day or while sleeping, it may be a sign that your nose isn't allowing air to pass through as easily as it should.

Chronic nasal congestion, allergies, a deviated septum, or other forms of nasal obstruction can make comfortable nasal breathing difficult. And when your nose isn't doing its job, you may notice the effects far beyond a stuffy nose.

Why Is Nasal Breathing Important?

Your nose does more than provide a passageway for air. It helps filter, warm, and humidify the air you breathe before it reaches your lungs.

When nasal breathing is restricted, people may naturally compensate by breathing through their mouths. This can lead to dry mouth, throat irritation, noisy breathing, and disrupted sleep.

For some people, nighttime mouth breathing may also contribute to snoring or be associated with other sleep-related breathing concerns.

What Can Block Your Nose?

There isn't always one explanation for chronic nasal obstruction. Some common causes include:

Allergies: Allergic rhinitis can cause inflammation and swelling inside the nasal passages, making it harder to breathe comfortably through the nose.

Chronic congestion: Ongoing inflammation or recurring sinus problems can leave the nose feeling blocked for extended periods.

Deviated septum: When the wall separating the nasal passages is crooked or displaced, airflow may be restricted on one or both sides.

Nasal polyps: These noncancerous growths can develop inside the nose or sinuses and may contribute to congestion and difficulty breathing.

Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, determining the underlying cause is an important part of treatment.

How Can Poor Nasal Breathing Affect Sleep?

You may notice nasal obstruction most when you're trying to sleep. Lying down can make congestion feel worse, while blocked nasal passages can encourage mouth breathing.

Some people may experience snoring, dry mouth, restless sleep, or waking up feeling tired. Persistent snoring or symptoms such as gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing should be evaluated, as they can be associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

If you're consistently struggling to breathe through your nose at night, don't assume it's something you simply have to live with.

When Should You See an ENT?

Occasional congestion is common, particularly during allergy or cold season. But persistent difficulty breathing through your nose deserves attention.

Consider an ENT evaluation if you experience:

• Chronic nasal congestion
• Frequent mouth breathing
• Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
• Recurring sinus problems
• Frequent snoring
• Poor-quality sleep
• Persistent postnasal drip
• Reduced ability to smell

An ENT can evaluate your nasal passages and determine whether allergies, inflammation, structural issues, or another condition may be contributing to your symptoms.

Finding the Right Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Allergy-related congestion may require allergy management, while structural problems may call for a different approach.

Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. provides individualized care for nasal obstruction, congestion, allergies, sinus conditions, snoring, and sleep apnea. The practice also offers minimally invasive procedures, including VivAer, RhinAer, Neuromark and ClariFix, for appropriate patients with certain nasal and airway concerns.

The first step is determining why you're having trouble breathing through your nose so the appropriate treatment can be considered.

Breathe Easier This Fall and Beyond

If you constantly feel like your nose is blocked, mouth breathing may be your body's way of compensating for an underlying problem. Whether allergies, chronic congestion, a deviated septum, or another form of nasal obstruction is responsible, identifying the cause can help you find a better solution.

If you're struggling with nasal congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, or difficulty breathing through your nose, Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. can evaluate your symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment options. The practice is located at 5555 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 125, Atlanta, GA 30342. Call 404-891-6576 to schedule an appointment or learn more about sinus, allergy, and ENT care.

Author

Ramie A. Tritt, MD Ramie A. Tritt, MD, FRCSC, specializes in nasal and sinus surgery as well as snoring and sleep apnea surgery at Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C.’s Sandy Springs location in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Tritt graduated from medical school with honors from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He completed his otolaryngology residency at McGill University and his fellowship in otology and head and neck surgery at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology and a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Tritt is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Tritt has been an instructor at national ENT meetings, a Medical Advisory Board member for computer image-guided sinus surgery, and been recognized by Atlanta Magazine as a “Doctor Who Doctors Go To”.