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Nose Injuries and Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Ear Nose Throat

Nose Injuries and Disorders

The nose plays a vital role in filtering, warming, and moistening the air we breathe, and various conditions can disrupt its function and impact overall health.

Overview

Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your whole body can suffer. For example, the stuffy nose of the common cold can make it hard for you to breathe, sleep, or get comfortable.

Common Nasal Problems

Many problems besides the common cold can affect the nose. They include:

  • Deviated septum - a shifting of the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves
  • Nasal polyps - soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses
  • Nosebleeds
  • Rhinitis - inflammation of the nose and sinuses sometimes caused by allergies. The main symptom is a runny nose.
  • Nasal fractures, also known as a broken nose

Frequently Asked Questions

deviated septum can cause chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, frequent sinus infections, and sleep apnea. Surgery (septoplasty) is typically recommended when conservative treatments like nasal sprays or allergy management fail to relieve symptoms, or when the deviation is severe enough to significantly impair breathing and quality of life.
Nasal polyps are diagnosed using a nasal endoscopy, where a thin camera is inserted into the nose to visualize the growths, or through a CT scan to assess their size and location. Non-surgical treatments include corticosteroid nasal sprays to reduce inflammation, oral steroids for severe cases, and allergy shots or immunotherapy if allergies are a contributing factor. Biologic therapies may also be used for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
llergic rhinitis is triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, and symptoms often include itchy eyes, nose, or throat, and clear nasal discharge. It tends to last as long as the exposure to the allergen continues. A common cold is caused by a virus, often includes body aches, fatigue, and a low-grade fever, and typically resolves within 7 to 10 days without specific treatment.
nosebleed is an emergency if it does not stop after 20 minutes of continuous direct pressure, if the bleeding is heavy and causes dizziness or fainting, or if it follows a significant head injury. It is also urgent if the person is on blood-thinning medication or has a known bleeding disorder. In these cases, seek immediate medical care to prevent excessive blood loss.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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