COMMON COLD IS NOT THE ONLY COMMON PROBLEM THE NOSE FACES

Color paint, cement, daycare centers, and several other everyday elements can cause nose diseases. ENT specialist, Dr. Srinivas Kishore Sistla of Star Hospitals, discusses the various conditions that can affect the nose.

Ear, nose, and throat come under a common specialty. Why?

Ear, nose, and throat are connected because these organs share the same skin lining. If one gets affected, the other two also get impacted. A disease that may start with the nose may lead to a throat infection. Sometimes, problems that arise in the ear lead to the nose...because they are derived from the same skin. That is why, when we suffer from throat issues, there is an ache in the ears as well, and the nose could also catch cold.

When we speak of nose/nasal problems, it is only the common cold that comes to mind. Is that the only problem that affects the nose?

Not really. Nose diseases are one of the most common problems in the human body. Nose allergies are quite common. Nose and sinus cancer are high in number. In fact, nose cancer is the third most common cancer in the neck region.

Since the focus of this piece is on the nose, what usually causes nose problems?

There are several factors that cause nose diseases. Pollution is one of the reasons. Nose is the entry point for what we breathe. Therefore, there is a heavy association with asthma. 60 percent of those who have asthma also complain of nasal allergy and sinusitis.

If we take various age groups, babies have lots of nose blocks. When the babies arrive in the world, they often face blocks which lead to difficulty in breathing. The condition is often termed as no-specific allergy.

As the babies get a little older, they go to daycare centers (in urban setups). The kids at the day care center have eight times more propensity to develop any upper respiratory infection. These kids contract colds very frequently, which also affects their ears. The underlying cause is their stay in daycare centers and the exposure they have to the atmosphere there.

In the teenage group, there are tissues behind the nose called adenoids that become enlarged. As the tissue grows, it leads to perpetual mouth breathing. Mouth breathing is a consequence of complete nasal obstruction which in simple terms mean that the nose is unable to function. Therefore, the body uses the mouth to breathe.

In pregnant women, there is condition termed Pregnancy Rhinitis. Here, because of the hormonal changes in the body, the nasal skin keeps getting discharged. That is one form of nose issue.

Amongst the older group, the nose skin becomes very brittle. Scratching it vigorously or blowing the nose hard can cause continuous bleeding. The nose is supplied by several blood vessels, so that once the bleeding starts it could be stopped only at the hospital.

How to keep the nose healthy?

Regular check-ups are necessary. In a lot of cases, your job is your enemy. One’s profession also leads to nose allergies. For instance, if a Civil Engineer visits construction sites frequently, he could contract nose allergies from cement and other construction material such as asbestos, etc. Those who work with Plaster of Paris may develop recurrent sinusitis. A painter is always exposed to lead content, so there is an increased chance of developing nose cancer. In India, patients come late for a check-up; usually at a stage at which it is difficult to control diseases as severe as cancer. That is why it is advisable to keep getting yourself checked every few months.

Besides these reasons, can nose diseases be hereditary?

Yes, they can be.

Since the nose is connected to ear and throat, when one suffers from a nose condition are other parts also included?

Nose is close to the eyes. In the case of a bad sinus infection, it can spread to the eyes and brain as well.  

For Appointment: Dr. Srinivas Kishore Sistla, Consultant ENT/Otorhinolaryngologist of Star Hospitals.