All You Need to Know about Deviated Septum

A deviated septum is a condition in which one nasal passage is narrower or blocked due to displacement of the nasal septum, the thin structure that separates the nostrils. This deviation may be present since birth or caused by an injury.

Airflow through the nose may be obstructed by this misalignment, resulting in a number of symptoms like congestion, breathing difficulties, snoring, or recurrent sinus infections.

Symptoms of Deviated Septum

Individual factors, such as the degree of deviation and related symptoms, can affect how severe a deviated septum is. Some people may only experience minor symptoms or occasional discomfort due to a deviated septum.

Ranging from mild discomfort to more severe issues, deviated septum symptoms can affect the individual’s daily life with:

• Snoring
• Difficulty breathing
• Nasal congestion (one-sided or chronic stuffy nose)
• Postnasal drip (excessive irritating mucus drainage down the throat)
• Headaches especially around the forehead and eyes
• Reduced sense of smell
• Recurrent sinus infections
• Facial pain
• Nosebleeds
• Sleep disturbances

In more extreme situations, this condition can have a major effect on breathing, sleep, and general quality of life. Snoring and possibly obstructive sleep apnoea can result from the septum’s misalignment blocking the airway. Obstructive sleep apnoea lowers oxygen levels by causing frequent breathing pauses while you sleep.

Even though a deviated septum by itself might not be the cause of sleep apnoea, it can be a contributing factor and make symptoms worse for some people.

Causes of Deviated Septum

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a deviated septum normally involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, and occasional imaging studies.

• The doctor will ask about symptoms, duration, and any history of respiratory issues or nasal trauma during the medical history evaluation.

• A nasal speculum is used during a comprehensive physical examination to evaluate the alignment of the septum and look for any obvious obstructions.
• A flexible endoscope may be used in certain situations for a closer look at the nasal passages.
• Imaging tests such as CT scans or X-rays can explore how much of a deviation there is and how it affects airflow.
• Allergy testing is occasionally conducted in order to rule out any other contributing factors.

Treatment options

Treatment options for a deviated septum would be chosen according to the degree of symptoms and how they impact the individual’s daily life:

• Medication: The main goal of medication is to help manage related symptoms of deviated septum, as it cannot directly treat the condition. Symptoms such as sinusitis, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion can be temporarily relieved by nasal decongestants, antihistamines, and corticosteroid sprays. Although these medications might help, they do not address the deviated septum’s structural issue.
• Septoplasty: When medication is insufficient in relieving severe symptoms, this corrective surgery is often recommended. A deviated septum can be treated or corrected surgically with a procedure called septoplasty. The procedure involves repositioning the nasal septum by removing or reshaping the deviated parts, which is done by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a surgeon. By realigning the septum, septoplasty can improve a patient's quality of life and restore normal nasal function.

Potential Complications of Deviated Septum

Deviated septum does not go away by themselves. When the nasal septum is misaligned because of injury or congenital conditions, it usually stays that way. However over time, the intensity of symptoms may change, and some people may find that using medications or decongestants relieves their symptoms for a short period.

For long-term symptom relief, medical intervention like a septoplasty surgery, might be required because the structural deviation itself typically persists.

Numerous issues that impact an individual’s health and well-being can result from a deviated septum, including chronic nasal congestion, mouth breathing, regular post-nasal drip causing throat irritation and coughing, aggravation of snoring, recurrent headaches, higher frequency of nosebleeds, and frequent sinus infections and associated facial pain.

Preventive Measures

It can be difficult to prevent a deviated septum, especially if it is a result of natural developmental variances or congenital conditions.

Nonetheless, taking precautions such as wearing protective gear when participating in contact sports and exercising caution when engaging in activities that could endanger the nose, lowers the chance of suffering from nose injuries, hence reducing the likelihood of developing a deviated septum due to trauma.

Early diagnosis and appropriate management can lessen the effects of a deviated septum and its accompanying symptoms. This allows individuals to preserve general nasal health and quality of life, even though prevention may not always be possible.

Schedule an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

For a proper evaluation and advice, see a healthcare provider if you suspect you have a deviated septum and noticeable symptoms.

Contact us to make an appointment today for a consultation, or stop by our ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospitals.