Abstract :
Nasal obstruction, which may be described as fullness, congestion, reduced airflow, or being “stuffed up,” is a commonly encountered symptom in clinical practice. Systematic study of obstruction has largely considered it as a component of a disease state. Conditions associated with obstruction include nasal polyposis, obstructive sleep apnea, and anatomic variation; however, most information on the burden of obstruction comes from studies of allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, diseases of which obstruction is the major symptom. Obstruction can be caused by other rhinologic conditions, such as nonallergic rhinitis, viral or bacterial rhinitis, and vasomotor rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects as much as one quarter of the population worldwide and imposes a significant economic burden. Additionally, allergic rhinitis significantly impairs quality of life; congestion causes allergic rhinitis sufferers decreased daytime productivity at work or school and reduces nighttime sleep time and quality. This study is first of its kind in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and focuses on causes of nasal obstruction in this region and its pattern of distribution in various age, sex, religion of population residing in this particular region so that a remedy could be made for burden of disease.
Keyword :
Allergic rhinitis, Congestion, Epidemiology, Obstruction, Sinosinusitis, Deviated nasal septum (DNS), Inferior turbinate, Hypertrophy (ITHT)