Conditions

Special glands in your nose and throat continually produce about 1-2 quarts of mucus per day to protect and lubricate your nasal membranes. Mucus traps pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, and irritants such as dust and pollen. Normally, the mucus drains from your nose and throat in small enough amounts that you swallow it without noticing.

Your sinuses are air-filled pockets in the bones between your eyes and behind your forehead, nose, and cheeks. Healthy sinuses contain tissues that produce mucus that protects your nose from microorganisms. The mucus then drains through your sinuses. Sinusitis is a sinus infection caused by bacteria, fungus, mold, dust, or other allergens and microorganisms.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. The pauses, referred to as apneas, may last just a few seconds but can extend for minutes. The apneas deprive your body of oxygen and prevent you from getting fully restorative sleep. You may have as many as 30 apneas in an hour.

Sleeping relaxes the muscles of the roof of your mouth, tongue, and throat so much that they may partially block your airway. Snoring is the sound that results when air vibrates against those overly relaxed soft tissues. Most people snore occasionally. Chronic or loud snoring may be the sign of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can lead to serious complications if not treated.

Nasal polyps are benign, soft, tear-shaped growths that arise from the linings of your nasal passages or sinuses. Most of the time, nasal polyps don’t cause symptoms and don’t need to be treated or removed. Large or multiple nasal polyps may block your sinus openings and prevent proper mucus drainage. Polyps can also contribute to sleep apnea and sinus infections or aggravate asthma.

The two sides of your nose are divided by the septum, a structure composed of bone and cartilage that runs right down the center of your nose. Either side of the septum is covered in mucosal tissue. In 80% of Americans, the septum is off-center or crooked (deviated). Most of the time, deviated septums don’t cause any functional problems.

Thyroid nodules are lumps full of fluid which commonly arise within an otherwise normal thyroid gland. You can develop a single thyroid nodule or multiple nodules. Nodules indicate a thyroid neoplasm, meaning a tumor of the thyroid, but only a small percentage of these are cancerous. Thyroid nodules are extremely common in young adults and children.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the fluid that surrounds the brain, which is contained within a lining called the dura. The dura is a tough, inflexible tissue. Despite its toughness, it can suffer from a tear that causes a CSF leak. The structures within the brain cavity are separated from the sinuses by bone. When there is a hole in the dura surrounding the brain in addition to damage to the bone around the sinuses, CSF can leak directly into the sinuses.

Nasal congestion, also known as a stuffy nose, refers to a blockage of the nasal passages that interferes with normal breathing and mucus drainage. It occurs when your nasal tissues become swollen due to an inflammation of the blood vessels. Excess mucus production can cause additional inflammation and worsening symptoms.

Breathing difficulty is a broad term. It can mean you are struggling to catch your breath or feeling discomfort when you breathe. Breathing problems can come on suddenly, or may develop or worsen over time. In some circumstances, being out of breath is understandable. For instance, you may feel out of breath after a hard workout or if you are at a high altitude.

The sinuses are air-filled spaces located behind your forehead, nose, cheeks and between your eyes. Each sinus cavity has a small opening that allows mucus to drain properly, keeping your sinuses working well and keeping you healthy. However, when the lining of one or more of these sinus cavities become inflamed, usually as the result of an allergic reaction or an infection, the inflammation can cause swelling and increased mucus production.