Smoking can affect more than your lungs. Tobacco smoke and other inhaled irritants can also affect the lining of your nose and sinuses, which may contribute to congestion, irritation, drainage, and changes in how your nose feels.
If you regularly experience a stuffy nose, runny nose, post nasal drip, or sinus irritation after smoking or being around smoke, the exposure may be contributing to your symptoms.
The lining of your nose and sinuses contains tiny structures called cilia. Cilia help move mucus, dust, allergens, and other particles through the nasal passages.
Tobacco smoke can irritate nasal tissue and interfere with normal cilia function. When mucus does not clear as effectively, congestion and drainage may become more noticeable.
Repeated smoke exposure may also contribute to ongoing inflammation in the nose and sinuses.
Smoking can irritate and inflame the lining of the nasal passages. For some people, this can lead to swelling, increased mucus production, and a blocked or stuffy feeling in the nose.
Symptoms may be more noticeable after smoking, after repeated exposure, or when other conditions such as allergies or sinus inflammation are already present.
Smoking may contribute to post nasal drip by irritating the nasal passages and affecting how mucus moves through the nose and sinuses.
Post nasal drip occurs when mucus drains down the back of the throat. This can lead to:
If post nasal drip is persistent, there may be other contributing factors such as allergies, sinus inflammation, reflux, or another ENT condition.
Smoke can act as an irritant to the nasal lining. In some people, that irritation may trigger increased mucus production and cause the nose to run.
A runny nose that repeatedly occurs after smoking or smoke exposure may be a sign that the nasal passages are reacting to the irritants being inhaled.
Yes, smoke exposure can contribute to nasal swelling and congestion. This may make the nose feel blocked or stuffy even when there is no infection present.
If nasal congestion continues even when you are not exposed to smoke, allergies, chronic sinusitis, structural nasal problems, or another condition may also be involved.
Smoking does not mean that every person will develop a sinus infection, but smoke exposure can irritate the nose and sinuses and may make existing sinus symptoms harder to manage.
If you already have a sinus infection, avoiding smoke may help reduce additional irritation while your sinuses recover.
For more information, read about smoking with a sinus infection.
You do not have to smoke yourself to experience nasal irritation from tobacco smoke.
Secondhand smoke can irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory system and may make congestion, coughing, or sinus symptoms more noticeable in some people.
Vaping aerosols, marijuana smoke, cigar smoke, and other inhaled substances can also contain particles or chemicals that irritate the nose and respiratory system.
The exact effects vary depending on the substance, frequency of exposure, and the individual, but persistent congestion, drainage, or irritation after exposure should not be ignored.
Reducing or stopping exposure to smoke removes an ongoing source of irritation from the nose and respiratory system.
Some people may notice improvements in congestion, coughing, nasal irritation, or their sense of smell after they stop smoking, although the amount of improvement and the timeline can vary.
If you need help quitting, your primary care provider can discuss treatment options and resources that may help.
If congestion, post nasal drip, runny nose, sinus pressure, or nasal irritation keeps returning, an ENT can help determine whether smoke exposure is the main cause or whether another condition is also contributing.
Consider seeing an ENT if you experience:
If smoking, allergies, or chronic sinus problems are affecting your breathing or comfort, Glatz Group can help determine what may be causing your symptoms.
Glatz Group provides sinus care in McAllen for patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Post nasal drip happens when mucus from the nose and sinuses drains down the back of the throat. It can cause frequent throat clearing, coughing, irritation, a feeling of mucus in the throat, and sometimes a sore throat or bad breath.
Many cases improve with simple measures at home, but persistent or recurring post nasal drip may be related to allergies, sinus inflammation, reflux, infection, or another ENT condition.
Post nasal drip can feel different from person to person, but common symptoms include:
These symptoms can also occur with other conditions, so ongoing symptoms may need an evaluation to determine the underlying cause.
Post nasal drip is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a symptom that can develop for several different reasons.
Common causes include:
Because treatment depends on the cause, persistent symptoms should not always be treated the same way.
If your symptoms are mild, there are several simple measures that may help reduce throat irritation and make mucus easier to clear.
Drinking enough water can help keep mucus thinner and easier to clear.
Warm fluids may also feel soothing when post nasal drip is irritating the throat.
Saline can help moisturize the nasal passages and remove mucus, allergens, and irritants.
If you use a nasal rinse, follow the product instructions and use water that is appropriate for nasal irrigation.
Dry air can irritate the lining of the nose and throat. A clean humidifier may help add moisture to the air and make nasal irritation more comfortable.
Keeping your head and upper body slightly elevated may help reduce the feeling of mucus collecting in the throat while you sleep.
If nighttime sinus drainage is a frequent problem, read more about the best sleeping position for sinus drainage.
Warm salt water may help soothe throat irritation caused by drainage.
Tobacco smoke, vaping aerosols, strong fragrances, and other airborne irritants can worsen nasal and throat irritation.
If smoke seems to trigger your symptoms, read more about how smoking can affect the nose and sinuses.
Yes. Allergies can increase nasal inflammation and mucus production, which may lead to ongoing drainage down the back of the throat.
If your symptoms happen during certain seasons, around pets, dust, mold, or other triggers, allergies may be contributing.
Managing the allergy itself can be an important part of reducing post nasal drip.
Sinus inflammation can increase mucus production and affect how mucus drains through the nose.
People with recurring sinus pressure, congestion, or sinus infections may also experience frequent drainage into the throat.
If post nasal drip occurs along with facial pressure, nasal obstruction, or recurring sinus symptoms, an ENT evaluation may help identify whether a sinus condition is contributing.
Home care may be enough for mild symptoms, but persistent or recurring post nasal drip can sometimes signal an underlying problem that needs evaluation.
Consider seeing an ENT if you have:
Treatment depends on what is causing the drainage.
An ENT may examine the nose, throat, and sinuses and consider whether allergies, sinus inflammation, infection, reflux, structural problems, or another condition may be contributing.
Depending on the cause, treatment may involve medication, allergy management, treatment of a sinus condition, reflux management, or another approach based on the individual diagnosis.
If post nasal drip keeps coming back, interferes with sleep, or causes ongoing coughing or throat irritation, Glatz Group can help determine what may be causing it.
Glatz Group provides sinus care in McAllen for patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
If you’ve ever experienced a feeling of pain or pressure in your ear, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Perhaps it went away on its own, but if it has not, you may be wondering what could be causing this discomfort?
Today, your dedicated McAllen sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will present you with all the information you need on Eustachian tube dysfunction.
The Eustachian tubes run from the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. When functioning correctly, the tubes will open and allow air to flow through. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) happens when the tubes will not open properly and in some cases, become blocked. This creates a feeling of pain and pressure in the ear.
There are many different causes of ETD, and for many sufferers, the risk of dealing with ETD increases if they are coping with other existing illnesses. Common causes of ETD include:
Everyone experiences different symptoms, and they can vary due to the severity of your case. Some of the most common symptoms you may experience with ETD include:
If you suspect you are suffering from ETD, it is always best to visit an ENT you can trust to confirm your diagnosis.
There are a wide variety of treatments you can try for ETD, and depending on the severity, it may go away on its own. If that does not happen, here are a few treatment options you can try:
If your symptoms worsen, you develop a fever, or have lost any amount of hearing, it is best to give your McAllen sinus relief specialists a call.
At Glatz Group of Valley ENT, our Physician Assistant (PA) Jonathan Lerma, is certified in treating Eustachian tube dysfunction.
There are many different ways Lerma can diagnose Eustachian tube dysfunction. The first being an exam of your eardrum while you breathe deeply and swallow. He will look at how the eardrum responds and make a diagnosis from that. The second way is by using a tympanometer to measure the pressure inside your ear.
Certified through Stryker, P.A. Lerma is trained in the treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction. He will use a balloon dilation device to target the inflamed mucous and replace it with new, healthy mucous, relieving the pressure in your ear. This procedure has proven to be safe and effective for treating Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Eustachian tube dysfunction can have a variety of causes and treatments. At Glatz Group of Valley ENT, we are fully equipped to handle any case you bring our way!
If you or someone you know is suffering from allergy or sinusitis symptoms, look no further than seeing the Glatz Group for all your ear, nose, and throat relief needs.
Certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma devoted years of working by Dr. Frank R. Glatz’s side, and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have the means to take care of your allergies, sinuses, sleep apnea, and other throat conditions.
Allergy season has been unforgiving this year, but getting sinus relief has never been easier or safer with us. We understand that COVID-19 is still an ongoing health crisis and concern for many, and that’s why we provide telemedicine, online services that address 90-95% of your sinus or allergy problems from the safety of your home.
In-person appointments are also available upon request, and you can rest assured knowing that we are going above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients and staff by taking the following safety measures:
Every patient will be given undivided attention, with an ideal plan for relief sorted out based on their personal needs.
We provide a personalized approach to care and treatment of your hearing health. Our in-house audiologist can conduct same day hearing tests and assessments. Hearing disorders can be identified, diagnosed, and treated in patients of all ages, including infants, where we focus on:
If you sense that something isn’t right, it is best to schedule an appointment as symptoms can worsen and diminish your quality of life.
We can identify, diagnose, and treat nasal and sinus conditions in patients of all ages, including infants. We carefully evaluate patients’ treatment options and offer customized treatment plans for:
It is imperative to go through an examination if you experience any of the following listed above, as it can cause difficulty breathing, sleeping, and lead to serious health problems down the road if not treated.
Our team can detect and treat all kinds of throat, neck, and voice conditions such as:
It is worth noting that the ear, nose, and throat functions are interconnected, making it important to treat to prevent any concerns to further avoid other health issues later on in life.
This minimally invasive procedure is an effective, lasting alternative for patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication. If you suffer from sinusitis, you may want to consider if this is an option for you. We can determine if you are a candidate for this operation.
Our team is committed to resolving your sinus and allergy problems, whatever they may be. In fact, we guarantee it.
If you have trouble breathing, despite taking medication to relieve your symptoms, chances may be that you are actually suffering from a deviated septum. This condition can result in a number of issues that medicine simply cannot fix.
If you're looking to ease sinus-related symptoms caused by a deviated septum, look into having a balloon sinuplasty procedure done.
Today, your certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief specialists here at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT, can help those with deviated septums better understand how it can affect their breathing and sinuses, and what options are available to alleviate those symptoms.
Before understanding how deviated septums can impact your breathing and sinuses, we must first understand what the condition is.
A deviated septum is a physical disorder within the nasal septum, the part of the nose that separates the nasal cavity and forms the nostrils. The nasal septum is primarily made up of bone and cartilage, and is meant to symmetrically separate the nasal openings. When there’s a displacement in the nasal septum, the nasal passageways are no longer symmetrically separated. This creates a blockage in one of the nostrils.
The most common symptom of a deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are typically worse on one side, and sometimes take place on the side opposite the bend. In certain instances, the crooked septum may interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, leading to recurring sinus infections.
In other cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum may experience symptoms only when they are dealing with an upper respiratory tract infection. For these individuals, in particular, a respiratory infection will provoke nasal inflammation that temporarily intensifies airflow issues associated with the deviated septum. Once the cold has passed, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a slightly deviated septum usually resolve as well.
However, for individuals suffering from moderately to severely deviated septums, prolonging treatment will only increase the time you must deal with the symptoms. A deviated septum can result in:
There are several options that may be recommended or prescribed to help you deal with symptoms associated with a deviated septum, including:
It is worth noting that medications only treat the swollen mucous membranes and symptoms associated with a deviated septum BUT WILL NOT correct a deviated septum.
While balloon sinuplasty cannot straighten or correct a deviated septum, it can be used to help individuals obtain relief from sinus-related problems that are exacerbated by the condition.
This minimally invasive procedure does not require any bone or tissue to be removed. It simply uses a balloon catheter to widen the nasal cavity, helping to improve airflow and breathing for the patient. Once the balloon is inserted into the cavity of the affected region, it is slowly inflated to widen and remodel the sinuses.
The risks are small and the benefits can provide a comfortable life without breathing troubles.
As COVID-19 is still an ongoing health concern, we are doing everything in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and patients alike. For the sake of your comfort and peace of mind, we can address your symptoms online via telemedicine services or the phone.
If you need an in-office procedure, that can also be arranged upon request.
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure have several causes, including colds, the flu, and allergies. Regardless of your trigger, the symptoms that affect you can be quite bothersome, and even lead to headaches and other pains.
When you have a cold or are affected by allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passageways become inflamed and irritated, causing that stuffed up feeling. The membranes will then start to develop excess mucus to help flush out the source of the irritation, including any allergens.
With that being said, your certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are glad to offer the following fantastic tips to help you avoid nasal congestion.
While it can be difficult to completely prevent sinus pressure and congestion, taking the following measures can help keep infections and allergies at bay:
When you’re stuffed up, focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Sometimes people believe that dry air may help clear up a runny nose, but in reality, it has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will only irritate them more.
You’ll find that some of the preventative measures are also methods to treat nasal congestion from home. To keep your nasal passages moist, you can:
If you have nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more than seven days, even after using these approaches, it’s better to be proactive and seek options for relief through your local ENT specialists at Glatz Group.
If you have concerns about COVID-19, rest assured knowing that we’ve been following the CDC guidelines to ensure that our office is safe and clean for both our guests and staff. Thanks to telemedicine, we’ve been able to address 90 to 95% of our patients’ allergy symptoms online.
We also offer online consultations, phone calls, and in-person visits.
