Deviated septum

Description

A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall that separates the nostrils, called the nasal septum, is one of the sides. The nasal septum is off-center, called diverted, has one side of the inner part of the nose smaller.

A deviated septum can block one side of your nose. The reduction of the flow of air can make it hard to breathe. A deviated septum can also lead to a nose that looks crooked in some people.

Medications can reduce inflammation in the inside of the nose. Surgery is necessary to correct a deviated septum.

Symptoms

Most of the deviated septum have no symptoms. You might not know that you have a deviated septum. But sometimes a deviated septum can cause the following:

  • Blockage in one or both nostrils. This blockage can make it hard to breathe. This could be worse for colds, or allergies can cause nasal passages to swell and narrow.
  • Nosebleeds. The surface of the nasal septum may become dry. This can increase the risk of nosebleeds.
  • Noisy breathing during sleep. A deviated septum or swefilling of the tissues of the nose can be one of the many reasons for the noisy breathing during sleep.
  • Need to sleep only on one side. Some people sleep on a certain side to allow for easier breathing through the nose at night, if a nasal passage is reduced.

When to see a doctor

Consult a health professional to:

  • A blockage in the nasal fossa that does not improve with treatment.
  • Frequent nasal bleeding.

Causes

A deviated septum is caused by a few conditions. A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall that separates the right and left sides of the nose, called the nasal septum is pushed to one side.

A deviated septum can be caused by:

  • A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum occurs when the fetus is in the uterus. You can see in the birth.
  • Injury to the nose.A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum, to get out of her place. In infants, an injury can occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide range of accidents can lead to injury of nose and deviated septum. Trauma to the nose occurs most often during contact sports, rough play, such as wrestling or motor vehicle accidents.

Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum, to get out of her place.

In infants, such injury can occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide range of accidents can lead to injury of nose and deviated septum. Trauma to the nose occurs most often during contact sports, rough play, such as wrestling or motor vehicle accidents.

Aging can affect the nasal structures. So a deviated septum may worsen with time.

The swelling and irritation of the nasal passages or sinus cavities of an infection can narrow the nostrils even more. The result may be the obstruction of the nose.

Risk factors

A deviation septum can have multiple risk factors. For some people, a deviated septum is present at birth, occurs during fetal development or due to an injury during childbirth. After birth, a deviated septum is most commonly caused by an injury that moves the nasalptum out of place. The risk factors include:

  • Contact sports.
  • Do not use the seat belt while driving a motor vehicle.

Complications

A badly deviated septum that blocks the nose can lead to complications such as:

  • Dry mouth. This is the breathing through the mouth.
  • Sleep disorders. This is not being able to breathe well through the nose at night.
  • Repeated nosebleeds. The air that passes through the nasal passages can dry out the surface of the nasal septum.

Prevention

To help prevent the injury of the nose that can cause a deviated septum:

  • Wear a helmet or a mask half-face when playing contact sports, such as football and volleyball.
  • Wear a seat belt when traveling in a motor vehicle.

Deviated septum

Diagnosis

To diagnose a detourd septum, a health professional will perform a physical examination. An examination involves looking inside the nose using a bright light and, sometimes, a tool to open the spread of the nostrils. A long tube in the form of a scope with a bright light at the tip can show you more back in the nose if necessary.

Treatment

A deviated septum that is causing the symptoms are treated with surgery. Surgery is the only way to correct a deviated septum. A deviated septum that causes no symptoms may not need any treatment.

If allergies or sinus problems are making the symptoms worse, a health care provider may suggest the use of decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal corticosteroid sprays to manage the symptoms.

The surgical repair

The people who still have symptoms after treatment with drugs might think about surgery to correct the deviation of the septum. This surgery is called a septoplasty.

During a typical septoplasty surgeons straightens the nasal septum and puts it in the center of the nose. This may require your surgeon to cut and remove parts of the septum, before putting them in the right place.

The remodeling of the nose

Sometimes, surgery to reshape the nose is called rhinoplasty, is done at the same time as the repair of the deviation of the nasal septum. Rhinoplasty is to change the bone and cartilage of the nose, change the shape or size of the nose or both.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. But you may be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

Make a list of questions to ask during your appointment and be ready for answer questions can help you make the most of your appointment.

By a deviated septum, some of the questions to your health professional can do include:

  • How long have you had a locked out of your nose?
  • How often are you aware that it is blocked?
  • It is more difficult that the brawing through a side of the nose, which is the other?
  • It is the obstruction, mild, moderate, or severe?
  • You've injured your nose?
  • Do you have allergies that affect the nose?
  • He has lost his ability to smell?
  • Do you have problems with sinusitis?
  • Do you have nosebleeds?
  • There is something that makes the lock worst?
  • Is there anything that relieves the symptoms?
  • What medications have been used for this?
  • What medications they are taking for this?
  • What decongestant spray help?
  • Does the use of congestionant spray every day?
  • It makes use of a nasal strip of adhesive help?
  • Is your nasal obstruction worse when you are lying down?
  • He has had nasal surgery?

Some questions you might ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What other actions could try?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • What do I need to restrict the activities?
  • You should see a specialist?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about your condition.

Symptoms and treatment of Deviated septum