Deviated Septum

Your nose's wall, called the septum, separates your nostrils. Sometimes, this wall isn't perfectly straight; it's shifted to one side. This is called a deviated septum. When this happens, one of your nostrils might be narrower than the other.

Many people have a slightly crooked nasal septum (the wall separating the nostrils) and don't experience any problems. A deviated septum often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. However, some people do experience issues.

These problems might include:

• Trouble breathing through your nose. A deviated septum can block one or both nostrils, making it harder to breathe, especially when you have a cold or allergies that swell your nasal passages. This means your nose might feel stuffy.
• Frequent nosebleeds. A deviated septum can make the inside of your nose drier, increasing your chance of getting nosebleeds. Dry air or picking your nose can also contribute.
• Facial pain. Sometimes, a deviated septum can cause pain in the face. While there's still discussion about exactly how this happens, a very severe deviation might cause pressure from different parts of the nose touching each other. This pressure could lead to discomfort or pain, often on one side of the face.
• Snoring or noisy breathing. A deviated septum, or swelling in the nasal tissues, can be one reason why you might snore. Other things that can cause snoring include allergies, sinus infections, and even some sleep disorders.
• Noticeable changes in nasal breathing patterns. Normally, your nose may alternate between being slightly blocked on one side and then the other. This is called the nasal cycle. While this is a common occurrence for many, if you are very aware of this alternation, it could indicate a problem like a deviated septum.
• Sleeping position preferences. If one side of your nose is more blocked than the other, you might find yourself consistently sleeping on one side to help you breathe better. This is a common way to manage nasal blockage at night.

It's important to remember that these symptoms could be caused by other things besides a deviated septum. If you're concerned about your nose or breathing, it's best to talk to a doctor.

If you're having trouble with your nose, it's important to see a doctor. This is especially true if:

• Your nose is blocked, and it won't clear up, even after trying to fix it yourself. This could be a sign of a more serious problem. Things like a cold or allergies might cause a blocked nose, but sometimes it's something else.
• You're getting nosebleeds often. Nosebleeds are usually nothing to worry about, but if they happen a lot or are severe, it's a good idea to see a doctor. This could be related to a medical condition that needs attention.
• You're getting sinus infections again and again. Sinus infections can be uncomfortable and painful. If they keep coming back, you should talk to your doctor. They can help figure out why and recommend the best treatment.

A deviated septum happens when the wall that divides your nostrils (called the nasal septum) isn't straight. It's like a wall in your nose that's crooked.

There are several reasons why this might happen:

• Born with it: Sometimes, the nasal septum develops crookedly while a baby is growing inside its mother's womb. This means the septum is already out of place at birth.

• Nose injury: A bump, hit, or other injury to the nose can push the nasal septum out of its proper position. This can happen at any age.

  • Babies: Injuries during childbirth can sometimes cause a deviated septum.
  • Kids and adults: Many different accidents can lead to nose injuries. For example, contact sports, falls, wrestling, or car accidents are common causes.

• Aging: As we get older, the tissues in our noses can change and potentially worsen an existing deviated septum.

• Infections: If you have a sinus infection or other infection causing swelling in your nose or sinuses, this can make your nasal passages narrower and cause blockages. Inflammation from these infections can also contribute to the problem.

A deviated septum is a common problem where the wall separating the two nostrils isn't straight. Sometimes, this happens while a baby is still developing in the womb, or during birth. More often, a deviated septum results from an injury that shifts this wall. This injury can be caused by several things.

One common cause is participating in contact sports. Activities like football, hockey, and boxing can put a lot of force on the nose, potentially causing the septum to move. Another important factor is not wearing a seatbelt when riding in a car, truck, or other motorized vehicle. Without a seatbelt, the force of a sudden stop or impact can easily injure the nose and lead to a deviated septum.

A deviated septum is a condition where the wall separating your nostrils is crooked. This can cause your nose to be blocked. This blockage can lead to several problems:

• Dry mouth: If you have to breathe through your mouth a lot because your nose is blocked, your mouth will likely dry out. This is because your mouth isn't getting the moisture it needs from the normal airflow through your nose.

• Nasal pressure or congestion: A deviated septum can make your nasal passages feel stuffy or pressured. It's like having a constant, mild feeling of congestion, even when you're not sick.

• Sleep problems: Breathing through your mouth at night, due to a blocked nose, can make it hard to sleep soundly. It can be uncomfortable and disrupt your sleep patterns. This lack of restful sleep can lead to daytime fatigue and other issues.

Nose injuries that lead to a deviated septum can sometimes be avoided. Taking precautions can help.

To protect your nose, consider these simple steps:

• Wear a helmet or face mask when participating in sports like football or volleyball where there's a chance of hitting your face. This will help cushion any blows to your nose. A good helmet or face mask is crucial for protecting your nose and face.
• Always buckle up with a seatbelt when driving or riding in a car, truck, or other motorized vehicle. This helps keep you secure and prevents your body from hitting the inside of the vehicle in case of an accident. This protection is vital for preventing injuries to the nose and other parts of the body.

When you see your doctor, they'll start by asking about any problems you're experiencing.

To look inside your nose, your doctor will use a bright light. Sometimes, they'll also use a tool to gently open your nostrils wider. They might also use a thin, tube-like instrument with a light on the end to examine deeper inside your nose. Your doctor might spray a decongestant into your nose and then look at the tissues to see how they respond. This helps them get a good picture of what's happening.

Based on what they see, your doctor can figure out if your nasal septum is crooked (a deviated septum) and how serious the problem is.

If your doctor isn't a specialist in ears, noses, and throats (an ENT), and you need further care, they may recommend seeing a specialist for a second opinion and treatment.

Dealing with a Deviated Septum: Treatments and Surgery

A deviated septum is a condition where the wall separating your nostrils isn't straight. This can cause problems like breathing difficulties and nasal congestion. Initially, your doctor might focus on managing your symptoms.

Managing Symptoms:

• Decongestants: These medicines reduce swelling in the lining of your nose, making it easier to breathe. They come as pills or nasal sprays. Nasal sprays can be helpful, but using them too much can make your congestion worse when you stop using them. Oral decongestants can sometimes make you feel jittery and raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Important: Decongestants only treat the swelling, not the deviated septum itself.

• Antihistamines: If allergies are contributing to your symptoms, antihistamines can help. They reduce symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, and can sometimes ease congestion from colds as well. Some antihistamines can make you drowsy, so be careful if you need to drive or do other tasks requiring focus.

• Nasal Steroid Sprays: These prescription sprays can reduce swelling and help with drainage in your nasal passages. It takes a few weeks for these sprays to work their best, so it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions.

When Medicine Isn't Enough: Septoplasty

If your symptoms persist despite trying these medications, surgery might be an option. A septoplasty is a procedure to correct a deviated septum. During the surgery, the surgeon straightens the septum and puts it back in the center of your nose. Parts of the septum might need to be cut and repositioned.

What to Expect from Surgery:

The outcome of septoplasty depends on how severe the deviation is. Often, nasal blockage improves significantly. However, the surgery won't fix other problems in your nose, like allergies, which might still cause congestion even after the septoplasty.

Rhinoplasty:

Sometimes, a septoplasty is done at the same time as a rhinoplasty, which is a nose reshaping surgery. Rhinoplasty can change the shape and/or size of your nose.

Important Note: The examples of "before and after" pictures of a rhinoplasty are not included in this rewritten article. The original image would need to be provided to be included.