Can Rhinoplasty Help with Medical Conditions?
When you think of rhinoplasty surgery, chances are good that you associate it with the term “nose job” and its associated cosmetic improvements. However, the truth is that nose surgeons who perform rhinoplasty can improve far more than just the way your nose looks; an experienced and talented surgeon can also improve certain medical conditions, too.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep. It may last for seconds, but it can also last for minutes. It can interrupt your sleep cycle and leave you feeling exhausted, even after sleeping eight hours or more. It can cause numerous health issues, too, including high blood pressure, morning headaches, stroke, and even heart failure. An experienced nose surgeon can use rhinoplasty surgery to open your airways and make it easier for you to breathe at night. Results include a more restful sleep and decreased risk for other health conditions.
Deviated Septum
The septum is the cartilage that runs down the bridge of your nose and separates your nostrils. When you receive a diagnosis of “deviated septum”, this simply means that your nasal passage is being narrowed because your cartilage is not in its correct position. Fortunately, experienced nose surgeons can correct a deviated septum, but the procedure has its own name – septoplasty. There are cases in which a septoplasty can be performed at the same time as cosmetic rhinoplasty, so ask your nose surgeon if you are a candidate.
Rhinophyma
Rhinophyma is a relatively uncommon condition, and it is also known as phymatous rosacea or “bulbous nose”. It makes the nose appear larger than normal, and in some cases, it may also look bumpy and red. The symptoms may develop over many years, and for many people, those same symptoms come and go. Your doctor may use medication if your rhinophyma is caught early on, but surgery may be the best choice if you’ve experienced facial disfiguration. It’s important to remember, though, that while rhinoplasty involves restructuring the nose, rhinophyma is focused on the skin.
Chronic Sinus Infections
The medical term used to describe chronic sinus infections is chronic rhinosinusitis, and it’s estimated that some 5% of the population of Canada struggles with it every day. Although different things cause this condition, the majority of cases are linked to some sort of blockage in the sinuses. Rhinoplasty can certainly help resolve chronic rhinosinusitis if a blockage is the culprit. Unlike a traditional rhinoplasty, though, which usually calls for restructuring, nose surgeons will perform this surgery with an endoscope, instead.
If you’re suffering with any of these medical conditions and medications or other treatments just don’t seem to help, you may be a candidate for rhinoplasty surgery. Dr. Kristina Zakhary, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon located in Calgary, Alberta has the experience and talent to help you resolve these issues once and for all.
