What Is Nasal Valve Collapse and Why Should You Know About It?

Home | What Is Nasal Valve Collapse and Why Should You Know About It?

Key Takeaways

The nasal valve regulates airflow; even minor changes in this narrow area can significantly affect how well you breathe.
Symptoms like persistent nasal blockage or mouth breathing may not always be due to allergies or sinus issues. Structural problems can often be the underlying cause.
Nasal valve collapse is commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially because its symptoms resemble more familiar conditions like congestion or rhinitis.
Early evaluation by a specialist can help identify the cause of breathing difficulties, allowing for appropriate treatment and long-term comfort.

Introduction

Breathing through the nose should feel natural, but for some, it becomes noticeably harder during sleep or physical activity. While nasal congestion or allergies are common explanations, they are not the only causes. In some cases, the problem may be due to nasal valve collapse, a structural issue that can restrict airflow and lead to ongoing discomfort.

This article outlines the function of the nasal valve, how its collapse can affect breathing, and why the condition is often mistaken for something else. It also explains the signs to look out for and the treatment options that may be considered based on individual needs.

What Does the Nasal Valve Do?

The nasal valve is the narrowest section of the nasal airway, located where the lower edge of the cartilage meets the side of the nose. It plays an essential role in regulating airflow during breathing. Because this area is already narrow, even minor structural changes can further reduce space and make it harder for air to pass through the nose efficiently.

What Happens When the Valve Loses Support?

When the nasal valve becomes weakened or structurally unstable, it can collapse inward during inhalation. This is more likely to occur when breathing deeply, such as during physical activity or sleep. One or both sides of the nasal passage may be affected, and the collapse often becomes more noticeable when the body requires increased airflow.

A range of factors can contribute to this issue, including prior nasal surgery, injury, congenital anatomy, or ageing-related changes. In many cases, the condition develops gradually and is only recognised when it begins to interfere with everyday comfort.

In Context: Individuals who experience breathing difficulty during exercise or disrupted sleep may not realise that structural changes in the nose, rather than congestion, could be playing a role.

What Symptoms Should You Look Out For?

A common sign of nasal valve collapse is a lasting sense of nasal blockage that does not respond to allergy medication or decongestants. Breathing through the nose may feel restricted during physical activity, and some individuals notice waking with a dry mouth due to mouth breathing during sleep. These symptoms often worsen when lying down or taking deeper breaths.

In Singapore, where nasal allergies are widespread, these signs are often mistaken for sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. However, when standard treatments fail to improve sleep quality or reduce mouth breathing, it may be worth consulting a snoring specialist to assess whether structural airway issues are involved.

Pro Tip: If gently pulling your cheek to the side makes nasal breathing easier, it may be a sign that your nasal valve lacks adequate support.

Why Is It Often Overlooked?

Nasal valve collapse is frequently missed because its symptoms overlap with more familiar conditions, such as chronic congestion, rhinitis, or sinus inflammation. As a result, it may be treated as an allergy or infection without addressing the underlying structural issue.

Identifying a collapse typically requires a focused nasal examination. A nasal specialist may perform a physical assessment or use nasal endoscopy to evaluate airflow and determine whether the valve is contributing to the symptoms. This helps distinguish it from other causes of persistent nasal obstruction.

What Are the Available Treatment Options?

Treatment depends on the severity of the collapse and how much it affects daily breathing. In some cases, adhesive nasal strips may provide short-term relief by gently lifting the nasal passages, especially during sleep or physical activity.

If symptoms persist, procedures may be considered to provide more structural support. These can include reinforcing the nasal walls or placing grafts to reduce the degree of collapse. The choice of approach depends on the specific features of the nasal airway and how the collapse presents.

A consultation with a sinus surgeon in Singapore may help determine whether structural changes are contributing to ongoing symptoms and what options are available to address them.

In Context: Some individuals in Singapore may prefer procedures that preserve the natural appearance of the nose, especially when exploring longer-term solutions.

Why It Helps to Seek the Right Support Early On

Ongoing breathing difficulties can affect daily routines, rest, and physical activity. When symptoms do not respond to typical treatments for congestion or allergies, structural causes such as nasal valve collapse may be involved. A thorough examination is often needed to determine whether a physical narrowing within the nose is restricting airflow.

Dr Leslie Koh is an ENT specialist in Singapore who sees individuals with long-standing nasal concerns. If your symptoms have continued without improvement, consider booking a consultation to understand what may be contributing to the issue and discuss suitable management approaches.