Frankfort Native Develops World's First Online Quiz To Detect Nasal Obstruction

A Frankfort native, and U of Chicago researcher, has just released the world’s first online quiz to detect nasal obstruction.

 The free two-minute quiz, developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Shah, went online this week at http://www.shahfacialplastics.com/start-now-quiz.html

“We released it at the perfect time,” says Dr. Shah. “This cold weather has caused lots of congestion, but a lot of people sniffling these days don’t realize they’ve also got some nasal obstruction.”

The researcher says nasal obstruction is far more common than most people think. Studies show 80% of people have a deviated septum and a full one-third of those people have significant trouble breathing through their nose as a result.

Besides a septal problem, another cause of obstruction is narrowing of the nostrils’ valves. Our nostrils have two valves, one at the tip and the other within the middle third of the nose. Dr Shah says, “In those cases often the tip-off is the nostrils collapse when patients breathe in or patients pull up on their cheek to breathe better. That’s how a breathe-rite strip works.”

“The fundamental problem,” the facial plastic surgeon continues, “is the vast majority of people with nasal obstruction don’t even realize they have a problem.”

Those people pay a surprisingly high price. Most obvious are excessive mouth breathing and a dry mouth on getting up in the morning. But there’s also another common symptom: anxiety. Throughout evolution mouth breathing has been a critical part of preparing ourselves for the classic “fight-or-flight” response.

Dr .Shah says, “Even today when we breathe through our mouths we activate our autonomic nervous system.  That’s why many of our patients will tell us they often feel anxious, irritable, even fearful for no apparent reason. That’s also why relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga focus on breathing through your nose.”

Dr. Shah has written over 50 scientific papers, operated on 2000 patients with nasal obstruction and evaluated 2000 more. The plastic surgeon noticed some questions were especially effective in detecting an obstructed nose. His staff reviewed patient charts and used them to create a database of questions. Using statistical analysis he then weighted each question and came up with a two-minute 10 question quiz.

At the end of the quiz patients learn if they likely have an obstruction and its possible cause. If appropriate patients are advised to see their own physicians. The assessment is not meant to replace a doctor’s physical examination.

The researcher says, “Right now cold sufferers across the country think they have a congested nose. In fact, millions of people unknowingly have significant obstruction as well. And they’re paying a price as a result. I’m hoping this two-minute test can finally reach those people.” 

For more information about this quiz readers can contact Dr. Shah's office at (312) 944-0117 or visit www.shahfacialplastics.com

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