Empty nose syndrome, or ENS, is a rare but devastating condition that occurs most commonly as a result of nasal surgery errors.
If you underwent a surgical procedure and subsequently developed ENS, you could be entitled to pursue legal action.
In a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit, you could recover compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages.
Proving medical negligence can be difficult, especially if you have no in-depth knowledge of this complex area of personal injury law. Having an experienced attorney to handle your case can help ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
In New Jersey, the medical malpractice lawyers of O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble have more than 100 years of combined experience. We have helped thousands of wrongfully injured clients, getting them the results they deserve for their injuries and other damages.
We offer a free consultation and case analysis for anyone who believes they may have been the victim of malpractice in New Jersey.
What Is Empty Nose Syndrome?
This oddly named medical malady is characterized by a persistent sense of having constant and continuous nasal congestion, accompanied by the perception that you can’t breathe.
Primary physical symptoms include feelings of suffocation, the inability to breathe through the nose, and shortness of breath. At the same time, sufferers experience the paradoxical symptoms of feeling the nose is too open and the sensation of excessive airflow.
Other symptoms include the following.
- Wheezing;
- Hypersensitivity to hot or cold air;
- Hypersensitivity to volatile compounds;
- Respiratory dryness;
- Tight, asthma-like breathing;
- Dry, irritated eyes;
- Ear pain;
- Chronic nasal dryness and crusting;
- Loss of smell;
- Dry lips;
- Bad breath;
- Heart arrhythmia;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Dizziness; and
- Headaches.
In addition to physical symptoms, sufferers experience profound stress, panic attacks, and anxiety, often becoming unable to work, socialize, or carry out the functions of daily life. Victims often become severely depressed, and unable to concentrate or focus.
What Causes Empty Nose Syndrome?
The specific cause (or causes) of ENS are still being researched. However, ENS sufferers have virtually all undergone some type of nasal surgery involving the sinuses and the turbinates. ENS can also occur after surgery to repair a deviated septum.
Turbinates are small protrusions located inside the nasal cavities. They contain networks of bone and blood and are covered in an exterior layer of mucosa. Turbinates routinely shrink and swell to humidify and regulate the temperature of the air we breathe. If the turbinates are abnormally positioned or if they become enlarged, it can result in chronic breathing problems. If non-surgical treatments are not effective, doctors may recommend surgery to resolve the problem.
Medical researchers believe that some patients sustain damage to their autonomic nervous system during this type of nasal surgery. The autonomic nervous system controls critical body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Damage to these nerves—and the neuropathy and atrophy that can result—is believed to be the underlying cause of ENS.
ENS symptoms can appear immediately after surgery or they can develop slowly over time. Few effective treatments have been identified for ENS, and there is no cure. The known treatments include invasive revision surgery, moving somewhere with a warm, humid climate, and taking prescription ED drugs (e.g., Viagra) to force nasal congestion.
Although researchers are working to identify a cure, ENS sufferers are likely to live with this devastating condition for the rest of their lives.
Did Medical Malpractice Cause Your ENS?
Victims only develop empty nose syndrome after they undergo surgery. Consequently, the actions of the surgeon are the cause of ENS. Although not every surgical mistake qualifies as medical malpractice, this condition should not occur unless the surgery was performed improperly.
If a surgeon or another practitioner failed to deliver an acceptable standard of care and you suffered injuries as a result, you may have a viable cause of action to pursue a malpractice claim. The best way to determine whether your condition developed due to the negligence of a medical treatment provider is to contact an attorney.
An attorney can evaluate your claim and help you explore your options for pursuing a malpractice insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
You could be entitled to recover compensation for medical treatment and care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages you sustained.
Contact Us Today for Legal Representation in a Medical Malpractice Case
If you suspect you are the victim of medical malpractice, filing an empty nose syndrome lawsuit can help get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
The experienced lawyers of O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble assist clients with all types of medical malpractice claims. We fight tirelessly to build the most persuasive case possible on your behalf.
We handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being. We offer a free consultation and case review, and we don’t charge any legal fees until we recover compensation.
Contact us now to speak to one of our award-winning lawyer and discuss your options for pursuing an empty nose syndrome malpractice claim.
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