Block Nose

Blocked nose may be partial or complete. It may be constant or intermittent. Common causes of blocked nose are sinus allergic (a.k.a. allergic rhinitis), deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal polyp and sinus infections. Blocked nose causes mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep and sleep apnoea, and sometimes bruxism.

The red flags are one-sided blocked nose or when it’s associated with blood-stained mucus or phlegm. Nose tumour and nose cancer need to excluded. Early assessment via a nose scope is recommended if blocked nose is associated with epistaxis,  ear block or headaches.