A deviated septum occurs when the main part of your nose is off-center, causing one nostril to be smaller than the other. Due to the dryness, this can create breathing problems and nosebleeds. A deviated septum los angeles can be treated with anti-inflammatories or with surgery to repair the septum.
What are the symptoms of deviated septum?
The symptoms of a deviated septum vary, with some people feeling no symptoms at all. However, potential symptoms include difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, nosebleeds caused by dryness, occasional facial pain possibly caused by pressure from a severe deviation, noisy breathing while sleeping, awareness of the nasal cycle (alternating congestion), and a preference for sleeping on a specific side to improve
What causes it?
A deviated septum occurs when the wall between your nasal passages is moved, which is frequently caused by congenital defects or nose traumas. It can be caused by birth-related causes or injuries sustained throughout childhood and adulthood, such as contact sports or accidents. Aging and infection-related edema might aggravate the deviation over time by narrowing the channel.
Are there any risk factors?
Birth-related events or injuries during labor are risk factors for a deviated septum, with common causes after birth including injuries from contact sports or accidents, and not wearing a seatbelt in a motor vehicle.
Can it cause complications?
A significantly deviated septum can cause issues such as chronic mouth breathing, which causes dry mouth, nasal pressure or congestion, and sleep disruption owing to trouble breathing comfortably through the nose at night.
How is it diagnosed?
During your consultation, the doctor will ask about your symptoms before inspecting your nose with a light and, in certain cases, specialized devices. A scope with a light may be used to examine deeper sections of the nose, as well as the effect of a decongestant spray on nasal tissues. Using this information, the doctor can determine the severity of a deviated septum.
Final thoughts:
Medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays are used to manage the symptoms of a deviated septum. Medication, on the other hand, will not fix the aberration. If symptoms persist, surgical treatment, including relocating the nasal septum, may be explored. This surgical technique can relieve symptoms, particularly nasal blockage, but it cannot cure other nasal disorders such as allergies. In some circumstances, septoplasty may be combined with rhinoplasty to modify the nose.
