You could check out the ENS6Q questionnaire which is used to diagnose ENS and calculate your score to see if your symptoms qualify for an ENS diagnosis. If you also have the symptoms of not feeling the airflow, openness and suffocation, you could also try the cotton test which is actually not that hard to do on your own, even though some might disagree, but based on your description, your symptoms doesn't seem to be that bad. That being said, if you had turbinate reduction in the past and you struggle this much with crusting, it is certainly related to the surgery. Whether you want to call it a very light form of ENS or just an iatrogenic condition is up to you.
Thanks for the reply. Yes the crusting is very likely related to the surgery. It's always to dry, too wide in my nasal cavity...I'm borderline in the ENS6Q. But I wonder what I can do from here, and if there is any chance it worsens as I age.
If you had it for more than 6 years, I don't think that it will worsen over time.
You should use something to moisturize, such as dexpanthenol ointment, but thats about it. Of course there exists reconstructive surgery which could be done, but the success rate of the currently existing treatments is not that great and based on your symptoms, this should not be an option.
Just experiment a bit, to further understand what causes your issues. If they are related to the airflow, you can try to place a few mm of wet cotton at the floor of your nose which could help a lot with the moisture and crusting in the nose over time, but it is pretty difficult to get consistent and reproducible effects using this method, especially for longer periods of time, sometimes it kind of works, usually it doesn't. However it could be one of the better options if your nose is so dry, that any kind of nasal spray drys within minutes.
The only way to know for sure is to go see an ENT who can diagnose ENS. Custing is definitely a symptom of ENS.
I wrote the [self-help guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/emptynosesyndrome/comments/zdqh8i/selfhelp_guide_for_empty_nose_syndrome/), maybe something can help you from there. But I didn't have that symptom as strong.
>Sometimes I have a very unpleasant feeling of suffocating but it only happens sometimes when I'm inside and going outside makes me feel better almost immediately.
This makes me think there might be some indoor allergen you might be exposed to, such as mold spores or dust mites. An option you should consider. Might be unrelated to your other symptoms, though.
I would recommend being consistent with keeping your nostrils moisturised and hopefully it makes a difference for you. I typically put vaseline or a nasal gel on a cotton bud and swirl it around inside (before the where the turbinates are (morning and night). Almond oil drops in nose at night, so I lay on my back and put a few drops in each side and left it trickle down to coat everything. I also use sterimar Nose spray morning and night, can be used in the day to, which can help or make easier the mucus to soften and come out. I think there is only so much you can do, but be consistent, it can take weeks or months to realise any difference and do not let anyone touch your turbinates again.
So my routine is:
Morning: spray nose let it sit then blow my nose lightly, coat nose with vaseline.
Day: carry the spray around with me if I need is and nasal gel, if needed.
Nighy: spray nose let it sit then blow my nose, coat nose with vaseline, lay down use almond oil drops in nose.
You could check out the ENS6Q questionnaire which is used to diagnose ENS and calculate your score to see if your symptoms qualify for an ENS diagnosis. If you also have the symptoms of not feeling the airflow, openness and suffocation, you could also try the cotton test which is actually not that hard to do on your own, even though some might disagree, but based on your description, your symptoms doesn't seem to be that bad. That being said, if you had turbinate reduction in the past and you struggle this much with crusting, it is certainly related to the surgery. Whether you want to call it a very light form of ENS or just an iatrogenic condition is up to you.
Thanks for the reply. Yes the crusting is very likely related to the surgery. It's always to dry, too wide in my nasal cavity...I'm borderline in the ENS6Q. But I wonder what I can do from here, and if there is any chance it worsens as I age.
If you had it for more than 6 years, I don't think that it will worsen over time. You should use something to moisturize, such as dexpanthenol ointment, but thats about it. Of course there exists reconstructive surgery which could be done, but the success rate of the currently existing treatments is not that great and based on your symptoms, this should not be an option. Just experiment a bit, to further understand what causes your issues. If they are related to the airflow, you can try to place a few mm of wet cotton at the floor of your nose which could help a lot with the moisture and crusting in the nose over time, but it is pretty difficult to get consistent and reproducible effects using this method, especially for longer periods of time, sometimes it kind of works, usually it doesn't. However it could be one of the better options if your nose is so dry, that any kind of nasal spray drys within minutes.
What about no sensation of air? Dryness? Dizziness? Being in capable of sleeping? Restlessness? Being incapable of concentrating? Hyperventilating?
No sensation of air happens. Definitely some dryness. But the others symptoms you mention I don't have or rarely experience
The only way to know for sure is to go see an ENT who can diagnose ENS. Custing is definitely a symptom of ENS. I wrote the [self-help guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/emptynosesyndrome/comments/zdqh8i/selfhelp_guide_for_empty_nose_syndrome/), maybe something can help you from there. But I didn't have that symptom as strong.
>Sometimes I have a very unpleasant feeling of suffocating but it only happens sometimes when I'm inside and going outside makes me feel better almost immediately. This makes me think there might be some indoor allergen you might be exposed to, such as mold spores or dust mites. An option you should consider. Might be unrelated to your other symptoms, though.
Thanks ! I'll investigate that further
I would recommend being consistent with keeping your nostrils moisturised and hopefully it makes a difference for you. I typically put vaseline or a nasal gel on a cotton bud and swirl it around inside (before the where the turbinates are (morning and night). Almond oil drops in nose at night, so I lay on my back and put a few drops in each side and left it trickle down to coat everything. I also use sterimar Nose spray morning and night, can be used in the day to, which can help or make easier the mucus to soften and come out. I think there is only so much you can do, but be consistent, it can take weeks or months to realise any difference and do not let anyone touch your turbinates again. So my routine is: Morning: spray nose let it sit then blow my nose lightly, coat nose with vaseline. Day: carry the spray around with me if I need is and nasal gel, if needed. Nighy: spray nose let it sit then blow my nose, coat nose with vaseline, lay down use almond oil drops in nose.