The Real Issues of Deviated Septum

Although the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery believes that almost 80% of the population has a displaced nasal septum, a lot of people are blissfully unaware that one of our nostril passageways is larger than the other. The cartilage wall that separates the two nostrils is called the nasal septum. This septum may not lie perfectly evenly between the nasal passages due to a variety of reasons, including birth defects, nose injuries sustained in contact sports, or car accidents. For some people, this isn't a problem, but for others, it may cause unpleasant symptoms, leading them to seek acute sinusitis treatment. You might wonder what issues a misaligned nasal septum could cause. As it turns out, only a few.

• Inability to Breathe

It seems sense that having nostrils that aren't quite as open and welcoming to airflow as usual could cause some difficulty breathing. There are some people who only notice a nasal obstruction when they have a cold or allergies, when their nasal passages expand and restrict even more. Others may experience chronic nasal congestion on one or both sides of the nose. The ability to track the nasal cycle is another prevalent symptom. The nasal cycle refers to the usual switching of an obstruction from a particular side of the nose to the other. You may have to go for nasal septum surgery to get rid of the ailment permanently.

• Infections of the Sinuses

Chronic sinusitis, which is characterized by inflammation and recurrent sinus infections, may be linked to a deviated septum. The sinuses are small, cavities filled with air that can be found all over the face. Because a crooked septum makes it difficult for mucus from the sinuses to drain into the nasal cavity, this can create an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, resulting in recurrent infections and inflammation.

• Disturbances of Sleep

A deviated septum can cause problems for the person who has it, as well as everyone else who shares their living space. Nasal congestion due to a deviated septum can cause snoring, noisy breathing, and sleep apnea. There have been some studies linking sleep apnea, which is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, to having a deviated septum. However not all experts agree that this is the case. Instead, they believe that having a restricted nasal passage exacerbates the already-existing upper airway obstruction that causes sleep apnea, increasing the severity of the condition. Deviated septum correction has been linked to improved sleep quality by alleviating nighttime respiratory problems. Consult a specialist if you think you need nose septum surgery.

• Nosebleeds

The nasal passageways are coated by a thin mucus membrane that is densely packed with blood vessels. A deviated septum makes it more difficult for air to move through the nose, which leads to a drying up of these membranes. Nosebleeds are more likely when you're in a dry environment.

• Asthma

Deviated septum has been linked to asthma, possibly through nasal congestion. Having a deviated septum can result in a restricted nasal path as well as frequent sinus infections, as we've learned. Chronic inflammation and obstruction of the airways are thought to be a cause and trigger of asthma. Studies have revealed that patients who suffer from sinusitis as well as asthma have more severe symptoms of asthma that are harder to manage than asthmatics without sinusitis.

Consult OKOA if you need to go for sinusitis treatment immediately. Check our treatment areas if you have issues such as allergy or ENT.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.