Nasal airway obstruction is a common problem and can be related to several different factors.  The major cause is a deformity of the midline nasal cartilage - the septum, which can block the passage of air and the openings of the sinuses.  Correction requires elevation of the lining of the nose - the mucosa, and removal or straightening of the area of cartilage in question.  It is frequently part of a rhinoplasty since the operative exposure is the same.

  Another cause of obstruction is enlargement of the small bones -turbinates, on the side of the nose that guard the sinus openings.  They can be enlarged and swollen and reducing them greatly improves the breathing passage.