The nose is the gateway for air into the body and plays a fundamental role in respiration. Its function is not only to allow air to reach the lungs but also to filter, warm, and humidify it before it enters the respiratory system. According to a report accessed by the Argentine News Agency, when this mechanism fails and nasal obstruction occurs—affecting between 30% and 40% of the population—consequences may arise that many people do not associate with the nose: poor sleep quality, morning fatigue, or mouth breathing. "The nose is the first filter of the respiratory system. If a person needs to open their mouth before that time or feels that air is not passing well, there may be some degree of nasal obstruction," states the specialist. It can also happen that the difficulty mainly appears when the person is lying down. Cofré, who adds that detecting and treating nasal obstruction in time can make a significant difference in quality of life. The most common intervention in these cases is videoendoscopic septoplasty, a surgery that corrects the position of the nasal septum and can improve breathing, nighttime rest, and symptoms associated with nasal obstruction. A problem that can also start in childhood. Mouth breathing is especially concerning in children, and according to the specialist, when this habit is maintained for years, it can influence facial and dental development. "Prolonged mouth breathing in childhood can modify facial growth, favor dental crowding, and predispose to respiratory problems in adulthood, in addition to the facial deformity typical in children that we call Adenoid Facies," states Cofré. Therefore, in the face of persistent symptoms such as mouth breathing, snoring, or difficulty breathing through the nose, it is important to have an early evaluation. Occasional nasal congestion is common, especially during colds or allergy seasons. However, when it causes persistent nasal obstruction, it can manifest with: chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, recurrent sinus infections, snoring, and poor sleep quality. "When a deviated septum affects breathing or quality of life, there are medical treatments, and in some cases, surgical options that allow for improving airflow and respiratory function," states Dr. Ana Cofré (M.N.117.124/ M.P.R.N. 8.815), a specialist in Otolaryngology. Mouth breathing can affect sleep. During the day, many people compensate for nasal obstruction without noticing it, but the problem becomes more evident at night. When a person cannot breathe well through their nose, they tend to open their mouth to breathe while sleeping, and in that situation, the tongue falls to the back of the throat and can obstruct the passage of air. "This favors snoring and, in some cases, contributes to episodes of sleep apnea, in which breathing momentarily stops during the night (breathing pause and waking up choking)," warns Dr. Cofré. "When nasal breathing does not work correctly, the body seeks other pathways, such as mouth breathing, which is less efficient and can affect rest," explains Dr. Cofré, who is the director of the Patagonic Center of Otorhinolaryngology. The consequence is usually a less restorative sleep, as sleep becomes more superficial and fragmented, which can lead to fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and decreased physical or mental performance. A simple test to know if the nose breathes well. Many people are not aware that they breathe poorly through their nose, especially if the problem has existed for years or began in childhood. In these cases, the recommendation is to consult a doctor to evaluate the nasal cavity and rule out common causes such as: deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, respiratory allergies, chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa (nasal polyps). The deviated septum: a frequent cause of congestion. The nasal septum is the wall that separates the two nasal cavities. When it is deviated, one nasal passage can be narrower than the other, reducing airflow. Although many people have some degree of deviation, it does not always cause symptoms. "Breathing well through the nose not only improves sleep quality. It also allows air to reach the lungs in better conditions and helps the proper functioning of the entire respiratory system," concludes Dr. Cofré. According to the specialist, there is a simple way to detect it: "A simple test is to close your mouth and try to breathe only through your nose for a minute."
