Medical Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction

Daniel R Cox; Sarah K Wise

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2018.05.004

Medical Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 Oct;51(5):897-908. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2018.05.004. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Authors

Daniel R Cox¹, Sarah K Wise²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, 550 Peachtree Street, MOT 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, 550 Peachtree Street, MOT 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. Electronic address: skmille@emory.edu.

PMID: 29914725
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2018.05.004

Abstract

Nasal obstruction is a common, and potentially debilitating, problem. It is caused by a combination of structural factors and/or mucosal swelling/inflammation. The medical treatment of nasal obstruction is aimed at decreasing mucosal inflammation and edema and is generally guided by the underlying cause. Several different drug classes are commonly used in the treatment of nasal obstruction, each with different indications, and pros and cons to their use. This article discusses the most commonly used therapies for nasal obstruction. Current evidence on the efficacy and side effect profile of each therapy is reviewed.

Keywords: Decongestant; Intranasal corticosteroid; Medication; Nasal obstruction; Pharmacotherapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Administration, Intranasal
Administration, Topical
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
Drug Therapy, Combination
Histamine Antagonists / administration & dosage*
Histamine Antagonists / adverse effects
Humans
Nasal Decongestants / administration & dosage*
Nasal Decongestants / adverse effects
Nasal Obstruction / drug therapy*
Nasal Obstruction / etiology
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Histamine Antagonists
Nasal Decongestants