Construction is necessary to keep our roads and highways safe and in working order. But construction also slows things down. We’ve all been stuck in a construction caused traffic jam. Even a small lane change can cause hundreds of thousands of cars on a freeway to step on their breaks–and the whole system slows down.
Now–go with me for a minute on this one–your nostrils are kind of like a highway. Air moves in and out, mucus moves in and out, and both of these functions are necessary to keep you healthy. The left nostril (or lane, if you will) and right are separated by a piece of tissue called a septum.
But when that septum is deviated–when it’s less than straight–backups in your nose can occur. This can lead to, uh, traffic jams of mucus. The point is that when things slow down, problems start to occur–and your nose won’t function as it’s supposed to.
What is a Deviated Septum?
The septum is a small strip of tissue that separates your left and right nasal passages. Ideally, this piece of tissue should be straight. However, sometimes this wall of tissue is moved to one side or another. This is what is known as a deviated septum. (So, you’re thinking: how do I get a deviated septum? Sometimes it occurs due to a traumatic event; in other cases, you might simply be born with a deviated septum.)
A deviated septum can cause some chronic issues, such as frequent (or prolonged) sinus infections or even trouble breathing or sleeping. That’s why, if you think you have a deviated septum, it’s a good idea to talk to your ENT or your healthcare provider about what your options might be.
How Do I Know If I Have a Deviated Septum?
In some cases, a deviated septum can be relatively symptomless. But that’s not true for everyone. In many cases, in fact, a deviated septum will present with definite signs. Some of the most common signs of a deviated septum include the following:
- Nasal congestion: Congestion of one or both sides of your nostrils may make it difficult for you to breathe or smell. Usually, this congestion will be worse on one side than on the other, but it does depend on the nature of your deviated septum. If you find your nostrils are plugged up often, it could be a sign of a deviated septum.
- Frequent nosebleeds: When you have a deviated septum, moisture can’t always get everywhere it needs to go (it’s that traffic jam getting in the way). As a result, your nasal cavities may sometimes dry out. This can lead to frequent nosebleeds.
- Sinus infections: One sinus infection probably does not indicate you have a deviated septum. But a deviated septum can make it difficult for your nasal passages to properly drain. Over time this can lead to chronic or repeated sinus infections. So if you find yourself battling a sinus infection after every cold, a deviated septum may be to blame.
- Headaches: Sometimes, a deviated septum can cause an interruption to the normal flow of air and drainage of your sinuses. This can lead to headaches (especially headaches located in the front of your head).
- Facial Pain: In the same way, your deviated septum can cause facial pain.This is because your nasal cavities and sinuses are experiencing a higher than normal amount of pressure.
- Postnasal Drip: Your sinuses, nose, throat, and ears are all connected. So when your nose is plugged up, mucus will drip back through your throat. This is called postnasal drip. If you experience this sensation often, it might be due to a deviated septum.
- Excess Snoring: A deviated septum can negatively impact your sleep cycle. Or some, this means louder snoring. For others, it might end up causing sleep apnea or other sleep disturbances.
- Noisy breathing: Sometimes your breathing itself can start to become noisy, especially during heavy physical activity or while you are sleeping.
- Reduced sense of smell: Your nose is a delicate instrument. So any disruption or injury to it, such as a deviated septum, can change the way air flows–and reduce your sense of smell as a result.
So… what problems will a deviated septum cause in you individually? It depends–you may experience all of these issues. Or you may only experience a few. Only your provider will be able to properly diagnose you.
How is a Deviated Septum Diagnosed?
Once you start experiencing the symptoms, it’s logical that you’d want to get that checked out! So, when you visit your provider or ENT, what should you expect? In general, most appointments will start with a discussion of your medical history. Your provider will likely ask about when your symptoms started, whether you’ve been snoring, and if you might have chronic sinus infections–that kind of thing. They’ll also likely want to talk about past nasal injuries or surgeries, because each of those can increase the chances that you have a deviated septum.
Your ENT will also perform a physical exam. This usually entails looking up your nose (but with specialized equipment). Your ENT may gently spread your nostrils to get a better look and see if they can identify the condition of your septum. Your ENT will look for obstructions or anything that isn’t the shape it’s supposed to be.
Your ENT may also employ several diagnostics, such as the following:
- Nasal endoscopy: This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end of it into your nose to get a better look at what’s going on.
- Imaging studies: This might include an MRI or a CT scan.
- Allergy testing: Since allergies can contribute to nasal inflammation, allergy tests are often performed to rule out that possibility.
Once your ENT has done all these tests, they’re usually able to diagnose you with a deviated septum (or rule it out if your septum is straight).
How Do You Fix a Deviated Septum?
Of course, once you know you have a deviated septum, the next step is treatment. There are several approaches to deviated septum treatment, including the following:
Non Surgical Approaches
- Medication: This could include over-the-counter nasal decongestants or nasal steroid sprays. However, these typically address only surface level symptoms and not the underlying cause.
- Nasal strips: These can help during sleep or some physical activities. They may be good for borderline cases.
- Allergy management: If your allergies are contributing to your plugged up nose, it makes sense to manage them as much as possible.
Surgical Approaches
- Septoplasty: Sometimes called “deviated septum surgery,” septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to straighten a deviated septum. When performed by an ENT, this procedure can effectively reposition your septum. This is often the most common and effective treatment for a deviated septum.
- Rhinoplasty: This is also a surgical procedure, except this one is designed to change the shape of the nose more generally. Rhinoplasty is often combined with septoplasty when used to treat a deviated septum.
- Turbinate reduction: Turbinates are small structures on the inside of the nose. Sometimes, they can grow enlarged, exacerbating any nasal congestion you may be feeling. In some cases, septoplasty is combined with turbinate reduction in order to help improve nasal air (and mucus) flow.
Get the Help You Need
Unless you’re a construction worker, most road work will eventually go away–or at least stop interfering with your commute. But that’s not the case with a deviated septum. Those traffic jams will keep happening unless you take steps to treat your condition.
So… Think you might have a deviated septum? Find an ENT near you to know for sure.
