Do adults with nasal airway occlusion and breathing through the mouth need treatment for cognitive symptoms?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have to continuously breathe through my mouth due to nasal airway occlusion, which leads to concentration problems. Will this remain permanent if left untreated in adults? Will adult patients require treatment for managing cognitive or learning symptoms?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Mouth breathing in adults due to obstruction of nasal passages can be treated with medicines or surgical procedures depending on the cause of nasal obstruction. For example, a structural deformity leading to an obstruction like deviated nasal septum or concha bullosa can be managed with surgical procedures. In contrast, other causes like chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps can be managed with optimum medical treatment. Regarding cognitive or learning difficulty, its treatment and success will depend on the extent of impairment, but it is manageable.