What Causes A Deviated Septum
An injury to the nose can cause a deviated septum. Nasal injuries may occur due to:
- Getting hit in the nose during an accident or fight.
A deviated septum may also be congenital, or present at birth. The deviation may be from a difficult birth or connective tissue disease.
It may also be a result of normal development. As the nose grows, the septum also grows and can sometimes grow towards one side. This is typically the most common reason to have a deviated septum.
What Happens In Deviated Nasal Septum Treatment
Medical Management Of Deviated Nasal Septum
Your symptoms may be managed as part of your initial treatment process for a deviated septum. In medical management, your doctor may prescribe nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, antihistamines, or antispasmodics. However, medication only treats swelling in the mucous membranes, and not in the septum.
Surgical Management Of Deviated Nasal Septum
A septoplasty i.e., surgical treatment for deviated nasal septum, may be recommended if you experience problems despite medical management. Septoplasty generally takes 30 to 90 minutes to complete, depending upon the severity of the disease. You will either be under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on what you and your doctor decide. The surgery is performed in the following steps:
Step 1: The surgeon starts by administering anesthesia- local or general.
Step 2: In the next step, the surgeon will make incisions within the nasal cavity or across the columella, the narrow, separating tissues between the nostrils.
Step 3: The surgeon then lifts away the nasal mucosal lining, the membrane that covers the septum from one side. This step is performed very carefully as the lining is quite fragile, and thereâs a risk of tear or perforation. Then, the mucosal lining on the opposite side is lifted away in a similar manner.
How Do You Fix A Deviated Septum Without Surgery
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How do you fix a deviated septum without surgery. If youre having nasal problems, trouble sleeping, are prone to sinus infections and having trouble with smell and taste, you could have a deviated septum. We cover all of those methods below. Septoplasty is the best option for permanently correcting this functional issue and restoring breathing back to normalpermanently. If you get your deviated septum diagnosed and its symptoms can be addressed without surgery, you could opt for one of the following methods:
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What Does Deviated Septum Mean
Theres a wall of cartilage that runs through the middle of your nose. This creates two chambers. Doctors call these chambers the nasal septum. When this wall isnt in the middle, you have a deviated septum.
Although between 70-80% of people have septal deviation, most dont know it. This is because deviated septums dont always cause symptoms. For some people, septal deviation causes trouble breathing and other issues. Most of the time, one side of the nose struggles to breathe more than the other.
Many people with septal deviation are born with the condition. Other times, it develops or gets worse after a nose injury. Less commonly, deviated septums result because of connective tissue disease, like systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Deviated Septum Surgery Risks
No surgery is completely risk-free, and the benefits of undergoing surgery — in this case, being able to breathe better — must outweigh the risks. Septoplasty and septorhinoplasty are common and safe procedures side effects are rare. Still, talk with your doctor about the possible risks of surgery before you make a treatment decision.
Although rare, risks of septoplasty and/or rhinoplasty may include:
- Hole of the septum
- Loss of the ability to smell
If you are having nasal symptoms and think you may have a deviated septum, make an appointment to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT. There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing these symptoms, including chronic sinusitis or nasal allergies. Make sure you get the right diagnosis so that you can get the treatment you need.
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How Does A Deviated Septum Affect My Health
It depends on the severity of your deviated septum and other factors, like whether you have seasonal allergies. People with minor septal deviation may not have any symptoms, or they may have minor symptoms.
The more severe your septal deviation, the higher the chances of having troublesome symptoms in your breathing and other areas of your life. Heres a look at the top ways septal deviation can affect your health:
Hit It On The Nose: Deviated Septum Q& a
Topics in this Post
Your nose is front and center on your face. It serves many functions, including humidifying and cleaning the air you breathe delivering tone to your voice and providing you a sense of smell, which is important for taste, identification and memory. Love or loathe it, your nose is also a key part of your visual identity.
One of the most common nose deformities is a deviated septum. About 70% to 80% of people have a septal deviation that’s noticeable to an examiner. In many cases, the deviation is minor and causes no symptoms. A deviated septum that is moderate to severe can lead to nasal obstruction and require treatment.
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When Is Deviated Nasal Septum Treatment Required
Many people with deviated nasal septum find relief with medication and conservative methods and donât need surgery. Surgery is needed if you have severe problems that dont respond to medicines. The severity of your obstruction is not the only factor that determines if surgery is right for you. In addition, how much relief you hope to receive from treatment can make a big difference even when there is only a moderate deviation.
How Is Deviated Septum Diagnosed
Your doctor will talk to you and examine you. The doctor may use a nasal endoscope a long tube with a bright light at the tip to see further back into your nose.
Conditions other than a deviated septum can cause nasal congestion. For example, you may have a different kind of structural problem inside your nose, chronic sinusitis or allergies. In rare cases, bleeding and blockage can be signs of a nasal tumour.
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How Is A Deviated Septum Diagnosed
A healthcare provider will begin by asking questions about your symptoms. They will perform a physical exam, including a close examination of your nose. They will look at the outside of your nose. They also look inside your nose by shining a bright light into your nostrils. You may see a specialist, such as an ear, nose and throat healthcare provider or a plastic surgeon.
Is My Deviated Septum Causing My Sinus Infections
A deviated septum is an extremely common condition that you may not even know you have. Your nasal septum is a wall of bone and cartilage that gives shape and support to your nose while dividing your nasal cavity in half. In some cases, however, its off center or crooked. This can make breathing difficult and cause congestion to build up, particularly in just one nostril. Your nose may feel stuffy, even when you dont have a cold. In more severe cases, it can make the nose appear crooked.
Some people are born with this condition, and others may develop it from an injury to the nose. The trauma may have been a long time ago and may have been barely noticed at the time.
In this blog, the sinus specialists at DFW Sinus Select will explain the symptoms of a deviated septum.
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How To Prepare For Deviated Nasal Septum Surgery
Your doctor and care coordinator will instruct you to be prepared for your nose surgery so that you can recover without complications. Here are some tips to help you prepare for nasal septum surgery:
- Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or any herbal supplements. Taking these medicines may lead to heavy bleeding during surgery.
- Avoid smoking, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption 2-3 weeks before the surgery.
- Make sure that the surgeon knows everything about your medical history, diet, allergies, etc.
- Avoid wearing makeup, nose rings, or other jewelry before the surgery.
- Avoid eating or drinking after midnight on the day before the surgery to avoid anesthesia-related complications.
- Bring an attendant with you on the day of surgery.
Schedule A Septoplasty With Allergy & Ent Associates
While many cases of deviated septum dont interfere with daily life, you may find that your deviated septum is causing significant breathing issues, sinus infections and pain. If thats the case, the ear, nose and throat specialists at Allergy & ENT Associates can straighten your deviated septum through a surgical procedure called septoplasty. The procedure typically only takes 30 to 90 minutes, and patients leave the same day. Call MY-SINUS to schedule your appointment today!
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The Dangers Of Living With A Deviated Septum
The nose has two nostrils that are divided by a partition made of bone and cartilage, known as the septum. This wall doesnt usually create two perfectly symmetrical nostrils. Instead, it causes a mismatch in size where one nasal airway is bigger. Normally, a deviated septum is no cause for alarm. A deviated septum can be present at birth. Congenital septal deviations are not always progressive, but in rare cases, they can be. A deformed septum can also develop from normal life events, such as car accidents, fights, sports activities, and aging. Deviations that occur early on in life, can become much worse with age or a lack of treatment.
Mild , up to 80 percent of the population has some type of deviated septum, many of which dont require medical intervention, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. A deviated septum can be present at birth. Congenital septum deviations are not always progressive, but in rare cases, they can be. A severely deformed septum can restrict proper airflow through the nostrils. It can also cause significant discomfort while breathing that compromises ones overall quality of life. Fortunately, having a deviated septum isnt a life-or-death sentence. surgery can correct it.
How Does A Deviated Septum Impact Daily Living
To better understand some of the challenges and potential complications that can arise from having a deviated septum, think about how your nose felt during your most recent cold or sinus infection. Can you recall that aggravating and annoying heaviness or fullness in your nostrils? Maybe you can recall the nosebleeds and irritation you felt while struggling to breathe and exhale through your nose. The challenges or issues you experienced are common concerns for individuals with a mild to seriously deviated septum. The only difference is instead of those symptoms eventually clearing up, the discomfort and struggle to breathe persists and never truly goes away.
A deviated septum can make colds, allergies, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory ailments more difficult to manage. For example, a hallmark sign of many respiratory conditions and irritations is swelling. Swelling in the airways is often due to mucus buildup from infection, poor drainage, and inflammation. When that swelling occurs inside of the nose, the nostrils become even narrower. For individuals with a deviated septum, this can be extremely dangerous.
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Snoring And Sleep Apnea
While snoring is often written off as an annoyance to loved ones who live with us, it may actually be a bigger problem than we give it credit for. Snoring disrupts sleep, which then causes daytime fatigue, which can then cause forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. Snoring alone does not typically cause any other medical problems, but it can be quite a nuisance in our lives.
Snoring caused by septal deviation is usually because one side of the nasal passageway is thinner than the other, creating less room for air to move. That being said, anytime there is a narrowing of airways there is also a risk of sleep apnea, which is a more serious condition.
Symptoms
At a minimum, sleep apnea can cause frequent nighttime awakenings, choking or gasping during sleep, and rapid heartbeat. At its worst, sleep apnea can cause labored breathing or even stop-breathing spells. As sleep apnea worsens, symptoms may spill over into the daytime hours and may include fatigue, headaches, and irritability.
Are Treatment Options Available For A Deviated Septum
Yes! Thanks to developments in modern medicine and technology, you can breathe easy even with a deviated septum. Treatment for a deviated septum depends on the severity of the problems its causing.
Dr. Furze will meet with you and review your history to create a treatment plan that best suits your needs. For minor problems, Dr. Furze will start with the least invasive treatments. Nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, or nasal dilators can ease symptoms and provide temporary relief.
These more conservative treatments do not remedy the underlying cause, and further treatment may be required for lasting relief. In more severe cases or for permanent relief, a septoplasty may be required.
A is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum. It straightens the septum, allowing for better airflow through your nose. Dr. Furze has extensive experience performing successful septoplasties, helping more than 15,000 patients to breathe freely.
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What Are The Treatment Options
Symptoms can sometimes be improved with conservative treatments such as decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroid sprays.
If conservative treatments arent effective enough, surgery may be needed to correct your septum. This procedure known as a septoplasty allows a surgeon to remove excess bone or cartilage to straighten your septum.
The procedure is performed entirely through the nostrils, so youll have no swelling or bruising on the outside of your nose. Your nose wont need to be packed with gauze, since bleeding will be minimal, and no nasal bones will need to be broken as part of this procedure.
After your septoplasty, you can usually return to work after 5 to 7 days.
If youre experiencing nasal congestion, make an appointment today with Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute. Dr. Yeung has over 20 years of experience and is double board-certified as an ENT and facial plastic surgeon. If a septoplasty is needed, you can receive all of your care at our office and our on-premise state-of-the-art surgery center.
Infections Of The Sinuses
Chronic sinusitis, which is characterized by inflammation and recurrent sinus infections, may be linked to a deviated septum. The sinuses are small, cavities filled with air that can be found all over the face. Because a crooked septum makes it difficult for mucus from the sinuses to drain into the nasal cavity, this can create an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, resulting in recurrent infections and inflammation.
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It’s Time For Treatment
You don’t have to suffer from the effects of a deviated septum. Treatment can include antihistamines and decongestants, which can help clear the sinus passages and reduce discomfort. We can also prescribe a nasal steroid spray to reduce swelling.
If you have a truly severe case, a form of surgery known as a septoplasty may be indicated. Surgery is a word nobody likes hearing, but it’s effective. Some septoplasties may be performed as a quick, non-invasive outpatient procedure right here in our office. Additionally, enlarged turbinates can be reduced in our office. This process takes just a few minutes but can be very effective in opening the nasal passageways for better airflow.
Sometimes septoplasties will need to be performed in a surgery center or hospital, like any other surgery. We’ll always use the most conservative, effective treatment option.
And we’re keeping our eye on other, cutting-edge technologies. For example, a pain-free, non-invasive alternative procedure recently passed clinical trials.
Of course, headaches, breathing difficulty, nosebleeds, sinusitis, and blocked nasal passages could be caused by any number of ear, nose, or throat conditions. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis so we can find the best way to correct the problem. This may require a nasal endoscopy or CT scan.
In most cases, the only way to stop suffering for good is to make an appointment. And you should! You deserve to breathe the way Mother Nature intended.
What Is Recovery Like After Septoplasty
During recovery from septoplasty, your doctor may give you medication. Taking it can reduce your risk of post-op infection or it can help manage pain or discomfort. Its important to take all the medications your doctor prescribes.
You also want to avoid disrupting your nose while healing. The septum becomes relatively stable by three to six months after the surgery. Some changes can still happen up to a year later. To prevent this, avoid bumping your septum as much as possible.
After the procedure, you can aid healing by following these tips:
- Dont blow your nose.
- Elevate your head when youre sleeping.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, including cardio.
- Wear clothes that fasten in the front instead of pulling over your head.
If left untreated, a severely deviated septum can cause complications. A common complication is the obstruction of one or both nostrils. This can cause:
- chronic sinus problems
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