Deviated Nasal Septum

One of the most common findings of an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist is a “deviated nasal septum”. The nasal septum is the separating wall between the right and left air passages of the nose. It is rarely perfectly straight in anyone, but some people it bends, bows, or projects into the air passages causing problems. The most common problem caused is blockage of breathing on that side. Severe deviation can leave one side blocked all or most of the time allowing the person to breathe only through the opposite side. In less severe cases the blockage can come and go with variations in nasal stuffiness but usually affects one side worse. Sometimes it can obstruct the sinus openings into the nose leading to increased infections on that side. In the front part, which is cartilage, deflected air currents can dry and crack the tissue leading to recurrent bleeding. In the back part, which is bone, severe bony deviations sometimes press against the outer wall of the nasal passage causing headaches, which are usually felt behind the eye. These kinds of headaches are usually felt when the nose is swollen from allergy or cold symptoms. Also bending over or lying down increases head congestion and makes the headache worse. Headaches from sinus blockage or infection are usually worse with head down positions as well.

Deviated septums can be inherited or caused by injury. Childhood injuries can cause growth to progress crookedly and injuries later in life can actually fracture bone and cartilage in the septum to one side without changing the outside appearance much. Adults with broken noses visibly tilted to one side of the face externally usually have the septum titled and partially blocking the opposite side internally.

Most people with problems from deviated septums have some degree of allergy and can be helped with decongestants, antihistamines or other allergy treatments. When all else fails, out patient septoplasty surgery can correct the problem usually with tremendous improvement. Some people elect to improve the outside appearance of the nose at the same time with a rhinoplasty procedure. Most people take off a week from work or school with surgery. This is usually an easy problem for Ear, Nose & Throat specialists to fix, so if you are having problems, go see one.