HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Sleep Disorder And Blockage Of Nostrils

default
Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: Dear Doctor,

I am 36 yrs old man, I have sleep related problems. Even after a very tiring day, I don't get good sound sleep, have observed that initially falling asleep takes long time and also maintaining a good sleep is definitely a challenge. I feel that I am aware of surroundings during my sleep since any feeble sound will awaken me. When I sleep one of my nostrils gets closed/blocked and I will be breathing only through the other one. I have seen that the blocking alternates between two nostrils. Is this the reason behind my disturbed sleep? I am very much worried because I am a software engineer and sometimes undergo lot of stress and I don't wake up fresh every morning and it continues in a vicious cycle.

Recently my mother passed away and I got into depression, though I haven't taken any medicine I am slowly coming out of depressive thoughts. I used to be a bright student/engineer, now reduced to a pale shadow of myself. I feel very bad when I think of my condition, it is adversely affecting my family life as I am unable to have regular intercourse with my wife. It is leading to more tensions and worries.
Please help me.
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Blocked nostrils can cause problems

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.

I have read your query and understood your concerns.

Not getting a good night sleep is a big problem. The blockage of the nostrils alternatively may be because of the deviated nasal septum. It can cause disturbed sleep.
Do you snore a lot?
How is your body built? are you thin, fat?

Because snoring and getting difficulty in breathing may be the reason for disturbed sleep. Apart from these, delay in the onset of the sleep and fragmentation in sleep can be due to anxiety and depression. If the cause is Deviated nasal septum then it can be operated and corrected. when a person is stressed a lot, he may have feeling of non-refreshing sleep. He feel that he has not slept though he has slept enough. It can also occur in depression ans anxiety.

The pain of losing someone is very difficult to handle with, but it's intensity gradually decrease with time but if you feel that it is to much to endure than you can have drugs which can help you coming out of this. The grief will take time for disappearance. If your depression is affecting your family and work then you need to consult a psychiatrist in person and get help. Antidepressant drugs will help you face this difficult situation of life. They will make you feel better, improve your mood, increase the positive energy in you.

In my opinion you need to visit a ENT specialist also for nostril problem. If it can be corrected then your sleep will improve. Disturbed sleep may be the reason for excessive lethargy and lack of energy.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help. wish you good health.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (8 hours later)
Thank you very much Doctor for your reply and suggestions, I will definitely follow-up with an ENT specialist and a Psychiatrist.

For your above questions:
1. Do you snore a lot?
Ans. : I do not snore regularly but according to my wife sometimes she hears heavy breathing or kind of snoring for short durations, though I am unaware of that condition.

2. How is your body built? are you thin, fat?
My arms and legs are thinly built and abdomen is slightly stout.

In the past I have tried to hit Gym to improve my Physique, but was getting very tired because of lack of good sleep. I never thought that blocked nostrils could cause so much disturbance to my sleep. I always thought it was natural to have blocked nostrils alternatively based on your sleeping posture.

There is definitely lot of stress and anxiety in my work-life because of various reasons like work pressure, family expectations from my work, peer pressure etc.

Added to these issue I have severe Acne condition, even though I am 36yrs old, I do get lot of nodular acne. Till recently I consulted with lot of dermatologists but was treated only with anti-biotics.

I somehow feel all these issues are interconnected and need to get a holistic solution.

Thanks once again,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This gives me lots of thoughts

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.

According to your answers, I feel that you need to visit a ENT specialist for your nostril problem and I would advise my patient with similar snoring and intermittent heavy breathing condition to have a polysomnography done, that is a sleep study. This can give the idea about the quality and quantity of sleep. If there is problem with your sleep, like obstruction of airway from nose to throat, it can show up as a inability to breath for 5 to 10 seconds as a apnoea, hypopnoea etc. There are other so many parameters we can understand. If the apnoea index is very high and cause you wake up during sleep then it must be corrected by treatment.

Acne has so many cause, stress plays big part. Apart from the stress, nature of skin and sexual activities have also some role. Higher levels of testosterone is also linked to acne. You can go for testosterone level in your blood also. Apart from this taking antibiotics and anti-acne medications will help.

Issues that have cumulative effects are: stress, disturbed sleep, worry about physical health, Acnes, anxiety and depression.
If you are feeling depressed and losing concentration in studies then you need to take drugs. Antidepressants will help.
Before taking any drugs do visit respective specialist person and get advice.

Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ravi Soni

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 538 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Sleep Disorder And Blockage Of Nostrils

Brief Answer: Blocked nostrils can cause problems Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing through HCM. I have read your query and understood your concerns. Not getting a good night sleep is a big problem. The blockage of the nostrils alternatively may be because of the deviated nasal septum. It can cause disturbed sleep. Do you snore a lot? How is your body built? are you thin, fat? Because snoring and getting difficulty in breathing may be the reason for disturbed sleep. Apart from these, delay in the onset of the sleep and fragmentation in sleep can be due to anxiety and depression. If the cause is Deviated nasal septum then it can be operated and corrected. when a person is stressed a lot, he may have feeling of non-refreshing sleep. He feel that he has not slept though he has slept enough. It can also occur in depression ans anxiety. The pain of losing someone is very difficult to handle with, but it's intensity gradually decrease with time but if you feel that it is to much to endure than you can have drugs which can help you coming out of this. The grief will take time for disappearance. If your depression is affecting your family and work then you need to consult a psychiatrist in person and get help. Antidepressant drugs will help you face this difficult situation of life. They will make you feel better, improve your mood, increase the positive energy in you. In my opinion you need to visit a ENT specialist also for nostril problem. If it can be corrected then your sleep will improve. Disturbed sleep may be the reason for excessive lethargy and lack of energy. Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help. wish you good health.