Is your nose deviated too? Let's talk about deviated septum!

Have you ever wondered about the wall inside your nose that separates your nostrils? Sometimes this wall can be slightly tilted or pulled to one side, not exactly in the middle. That's what we medically call a 'deviated septum', or simply a deviated septum. Surprisingly, many of us have this condition, but don't even know it because it doesn't cause any symptoms!

What exactly is a deviated septum?

Simply put, a deviated septum is a deviated septum (a bony and cartilage wall) in the middle of your nose that separates your two nostrils. Think of it like a wall separating two rooms in a house. This wall is why we have two nostrils.

Did you know that about 80% of the population has this nasal congestion to some extent? However, for most people, it does not cause any discomfort or symptoms. However, for some people, this nasal congestion can cause various problems such as difficulty breathing and headaches.

What symptoms can occur if you have a deviated septum?

For someone with a slightly more severe nosebleed, you may notice a slight change in the shape of your nose. But that doesn't happen to everyone. There are other common symptoms as well. Let's see what they are.

• Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils: This is the main symptom. Some people may have one side completely blocked.
• Headaches: Frequent, unexplained headaches.
• Facial pain: Sometimes you may feel pain around the nose and cheeks.
• Nasal congestion: A feeling that the nose is constantly blocked and full of mucus.
• Noise when breathing: Especially while sleeping, sometimes you may hear a snoring sound (also called ``Stridor'') when you breathe loudly.
• Nosebleeds: Frequent nosebleeds are also a symptom.
• Chronic Sinusitis: If you have frequent sinus infections, this may be due to nasal congestion.
• Snoring: Snoring while sleeping at night.
• Sleep Apnea: This is a somewhat serious condition. It is characterized by intermittent pauses in breathing during sleep.

How do you know for sure if you have a nosebleed?

You can do a few small tests at home to get an idea of ​​this.

1. Stand in front of a mirror, tilt your head back a little, and look at your nostrils. (Or take a photo of the underside of your nose.) If your nostrils look uneven, one large and one small, you may have a nose bridge.

2. The other method is this 'self-test' (`(Self-test)`) :

• Close one nostril with the finger of one of your hands.
• Now breathe in through the other nostril. Pay close attention to how easy or difficult it is to breathe.
• Next, close the other nostril and breathe through the previously open nostril.
• If you feel like you have difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, you may have a nasal obstruction.

Important: While these tests can help you get a basic idea, only a doctor can tell you for sure whether you have a nosebleed or not. So if you have any doubts, it's best to seek medical advice.

What are the causes of a deviated septum?

There may be several reasons for this.

• Injuries to the nose: For example, this condition can occur if the nose is broken.
• When playing contact sports (e.g. rugby, boxing).
• Vehicle accidents.
• Falls.
• Exchanges of blows.

Imagine, when you were a child, you fell and hurt your nose while playing, or you got hit by a ball while playing school sports. Even if you didn't pay much attention to it at the time, a nosebleed like this can develop later on.

• Congenital: Some people are born with this nasal protrusion. For example, this condition can occur due to complications during childbirth or certain connective tissue diseases.
• As a result of normal growth: This is the most common cause of a deviated septum. As your nose grows, the septum (wall of your nose) also grows. As this growth progresses, it can sometimes become tilted to one side.

What are the possible complications of nasal congestion?

If you have a small nosebleed, it may not cause any major complications. However, if the nosebleed is severe, you may experience problems such as:

• Chronic Sinus Issues.
• Sleep apnea.
• Snoring or loud breathing while sleeping.
• Frequent nasal congestion.
• Nosebleed.
• Xerostomia - Dry mouth caused by inability to breathe properly through the nose, causing the mouth to become dry.

How do doctors accurately diagnose a deviated septum?

When you go to see a doctor, they will first examine your nose. They will use a small instrument called a nasal speculum. This will gently open your nostrils and look inside your nose. The doctor will then be able to see if the nasal wall is stretched and if this has affected the size of your nostrils.

In addition, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms. For example:

• What are your symptoms?
• How long have these symptoms been present?
• Is it hard to breathe?
• Does it disturb your sleep at night?
• Do you snore while sleeping?
• Have you had sinus problems or nasal congestion before?

A doctor will confirm this condition by asking questions like these and examining your nose.

How is a deviated septum treated?

The treatment for this depends on the severity of your condition. Many people have very few or no symptoms and do not need any treatment. If you have mild symptoms, you can use medications. However, if you can't breathe properly because of nasal congestion, you may need surgery.

Medications

If your nasal congestion is not severe, you may only experience symptoms occasionally. In these cases, you may find relief with over-the-counter (OTC) medications:

• Nasal Decongestants: These are good for nasal congestion. However, do not use nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days. Doing so can cause rebound congestion when you stop taking the medication.
• Nasal Steroid Sprays: These reduce swelling inside the nose and make breathing easier.
• Antihistamines: These can help if your nose is blocked due to allergies.

Septoplasty

The main treatment for a deviated septum is a surgery called septoplasty. If you have breathing problems, frequent sinus infections, or other bothersome symptoms, this surgery may be the right solution for you.

In this procedure, a surgeon realigns the deviated wall (septum) of your nose. This may involve removing or adding new pieces of bone or cartilage.

Typically, septoplasty surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be performed without a hospital stay. It takes between 30 and 90 minutes.

Can a deviated septum be prevented?

Some people are born with this condition. For others, it develops during childhood as the body develops. In such cases, nasal congestion cannot be prevented.

However, if you don't already have a nosebleed, you can do these things to reduce your risk of developing one:

• Wear protective gear (e.g., a midface mask, helmet) when playing contact sports.
• Always wear your seat belt when riding in vehicles.

What should I expect if I have a deviated septum?

In most cases, having a runny nose won't have a major impact on your quality of life. If you have mild symptoms, you can usually control them with over-the-counter medications.

But if the condition is more severe, surgery may be necessary. If you have difficulty breathing, frequent nosebleeds, or persistent nasal congestion, talk to your doctor about surgery.

When should I see a doctor?

If your symptoms are causing you difficulty breathing, trouble sleeping, or are negatively affecting other aspects of your daily life, be sure to see a doctor for advice.

When should I go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you think you have a broken nose, or if you have suffered a serious injury to your nose in a serious accident, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. They can quickly treat a broken nasal septum.

Some frequently asked questions

Can you check with your finger to see if you have a deviated septum?

Most of the time, you can't tell if you have a nosebleed just by touching it with your finger. However, someone with a very severe nosebleed may feel as if the wall of the nose is weighted to one side.

Is it worth fixing a deviated septum?

This is really a decision you need to make for yourself. If your nasal congestion is causing you trouble breathing or causing you to have sleep apnea, you may not need to do anything. However, if it is affecting your quality of life, surgery may be a good option.

In general, the success rate of deviated septum surgery is high, around 85% . However, about 15% of people who have this surgery may not see much improvement in their symptoms.

Can someone with a deviated septum get it straightened out?

Please, never, ever, for any reason try to fix your nasal septum! You could do yourself a lot of harm if you do. If you break your nose or get a torn nasal septum from an accident, such as a car accident or a fight, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Can a deviated septum cause sleep apnea?

Yes, nasal congestion can obstruct the flow of air through your nasal passages. This can cause snoring and sleep apnea.

Finally, this is what I have to say to you (Take-Home Message)

Many people have a deviated septum, but they may not even know it because they have very few or no symptoms. Having a deviated septum does not mean there is something wrong with you. If it is not affecting your life, you may not need treatment.

However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent nasal congestion, nosebleeds, sleep apnea, or difficulty breathing, be sure to tell your doctor. They can then confirm whether you have a nasal polyp and recommend appropriate treatment. Remember, healthy breathing is essential for a healthy life!

` Nasal congestion, Deviated Septum, Nasal congestion, Difficulty breathing, Septoplasty, Septoplasty, Nose surgery, Snoring, Sleep Apnea