How to Treat a Deviated Septum
Having a deviated septum may not seem like a big deal, but in reality, it can be a serious condition that needs to be treated. If left untreated, it can cause problems with your breathing, which is why it’s important to learn as much as possible about it. The good news is that there are treatments available, which will help you keep your septum in good shape.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a deviated septum may include coughing, snoring, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Most people with this condition have mild symptoms, but some people have severe deviations that cause chronic sinusitis and sleep apnea. If you have one of these symptoms, see a doctor.
A deviated septum occurs when the cartilage that divides the right and left sides of the nasal airway is shifted to the left. It is a common defect. It may result from injury during childbirth or later in life.
When a person has a deviated septum, it causes a blockage in the nasal passage. It may also cause a person to sleep on one side of the bed rather than the other. It can also cause a person to experience frequent sinus infections and facial pain. Symptoms of deviated septum include nasal congestion, breathing problems, and a coughing and whistling sound when breathing while sleeping.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that causes a person to experience headaches, facial pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Inflammation can also lead to post-nasal drip, which can leave a person feeling continually sick. Symptoms of the deviated septum are also more common when a person has allergies or sinus infections.
It is important to know that the nasal septum can be repaired with a simple surgical procedure. In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.
The procedure will involve cutting the septum and removing excess bone and cartilage. This will straighten the nasal passage and allow better breathing. It may take several days for the patient to recover. It is also possible for the patient to be put under local anesthesia.
If the patient has a severe deviation, they may need to have surgery. This may be done to treat chronic sinusitis or sleep apnea.
The doctor will use a long tube-shaped scope with a bright light at the tip. The doctor will also look inside the nose and the outside of the nose to diagnose the condition. They may also use contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) to see the extent of the deviation.
Causes
Having a deviated septum can have a variety of effects on your health. Some of the most important effects include difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, and nosebleeds. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
One of the most common causes of a deviated septum is injury. This can be an accident, such as a fall, or from contact sports. A person’s septum can also be injured through minor accidents, such as a bump or a rubbing of the nose.
Another common cause of a deviated septum is a genetic connective tissue disorder. This is most common in men.
A person may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, loud snoring, sinus infections, and headaches. They may also experience a cough and whistling sound in their nasal passages.
A doctor may be able to diagnose a deviated septum through a physical examination. He or she will examine the nasal passages and use a speculum to look at the septum. An ENT specialist may also take a thorough case history. A doctor may also use a scope to look deeper inside the nose.
The septum is a thin wall that divides the nostrils. It is an easily injured part of the nose. It can be damaged in a car accident, or during sports activities, such as wrestling.
A doctor may also use contrast-enhanced computerized tomography to look at the extent of the deviation. This is a rare procedure but can be helpful in determining the extent of a deviated septum.
A septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the septum and removes excess bone and cartilage. The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting. The patient can go home after a couple of hours of observation.
Using decongestants and nasal sprays can be a good way to manage nasal congestion. If you have severe symptoms of a deviated septum, you should seek medical attention immediately.
A doctor will use a bright light to examine the inside of your nose. You will also be asked about the symptoms that you have.
Treatment options
Getting treatment for deviated septum can help alleviate symptoms, including nasal congestion, breathing problems, and frequent sinus infections. A doctor will evaluate your medical history and physical exam to determine the severity of your deviated septum and whether or not you need surgery. If surgery is necessary, septoplasty, or septal surgery, is the recommended procedure. It is a surgical procedure that straightens your deviated septum.
The septum is a structure inside your nose that helps keep your nasal passages open. It is made of bone and cartilage. It is not uncommon for the septum to deviate, causing a blockage of the airways.
A doctor can diagnose a deviated septum by looking inside your nose with a speculum, or by shining a bright light into your nostrils. If the speculum does not show a problem, your doctor may prescribe medications to clear up nasal congestion and treat nasal obstruction.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays are one type of medication that can help clear up nasal congestion and reduce nasal inflammation. They also have a soothing effect on nasal passages and help ease nasal drainage. These treatments are available by prescription and typically take about one to three weeks to be effective.
In severe cases, decongestant medications can be used to clear up nasal congestion and prevent the nasal passages from getting swollen. However, these medications can also have a stimulating effect on the body, so they may cause jitteriness, dizziness, and other side effects.
Other treatments for deviated septum may include rhinoplasty or nose surgery. A septoplasty surgeon will usually cut away a portion of the septum to make room for the septum to be repositioned correctly. They may also place instruments inside the nostrils to open up the passageway. The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about one to two hours to perform.
The majority of deviated septum patients respond well to surgery. However, a small number of patients choose to undergo a second procedure to improve airflow. A septoplasty is usually performed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Prevention
Among the most common surgical procedures to prevent deviated septum is septoplasty. This surgery involves the removal of extra bone and cartilage from the septum. This will help improve breathing and improve the appearance of the nose. It is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, and the patient can go home the same day.
The septum is a bone and cartilage structure that supports the nose. A deviated septum may cause problems with breathing. In severe cases, the deviation can prevent air from flowing through the nose. It can also cause frequent sinus infections.
A deviated septum may also affect the appearance of the nose. It can change the shape of the nose, making it appear crooked or abnormal. Some of the common symptoms are a blocked nose, snoring, and facial pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
During a visit to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, the doctor will perform a nasal exam. He or she will examine the septum with a speculum, a device that enables the doctor to see inside the nose. The doctor will also ask questions about the symptoms, as well as the health of the sinuses.
The doctor may also use an instrument to spread the nostrils open. The doctor will also check the mucus membranes, the size of the nostrils, and the impact of the septum on the nostrils.
The doctor will also examine the nasal cavity with a CT scan, which allows him or her to better visualize the inside of the nose. The doctor may use special lights or cameras to further examine the nasal cavity.
The doctor may prescribe nasal steroid sprays to help relieve inflammation. It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor, as these sprays can only work to relieve a temporary problem.
A small percentage of patients have the option of having a second surgery to improve the airflow. The surgeon can usually fix the deviated septum. The patient can then resume normal activities.
If you suffer from a deviated septum, you should avoid contact sports, especially those that involve contact with the nose. You should also wear headgear that fits properly.
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