Although your nose appears simple, it has numerous structures and specialized cells on its interior. The nasal cavities, mucous membranes, nerve cells, and nostrils are essential in allowing airflow in and out, smell identification, trapping foreign particles, and warming and moisturizing air flowing to the lungs. Another vital structure is the nasal septum, dividing the nasal cavity into left and right sides. When the nasal septum leans to a side or is off center, it is referred to as deviated septum los angeles. The displacement of the nasal septum to one side makes one nasal airway smaller than the other. According to Cleveland Clinic, health experts estimate that a deviated nasal septum affects more than 75% of Americans.
Subsequently, below are a few things you need to remember about the deviated nasal septum.
- Signs of a deviated septum
When you have a deviated septum, you may show signs such as breathing difficulty, frequent nose bleeding, nasal stuffiness and congestion, headaches, and sleeping problems. For instance, you find it hard to breathe normally because one of the sides of your nasal cavity is significantly more constricted than the other. Normally, you may not notice that you have trouble breathing. Still, you may recognize the nasal issue when you try to sleep, exercise, or play sports. During sleep, your breathing will be noisy.
You may experience frequent nose bleeding due to the nasal septum making it difficult for air to pass through your nasal airways. As a result, the moist and mucous membranes lining the interior walls of your nose become dry, which encourages infections that may cause bleeding.
- Causes of a deviated nasal septum
There is a high chance that you have had your deviated nasal septum from birth. But you can also have a deviated septum because of a nasal injury. An injury to your nose can be due to sports, a fall, a car accident, or fighting.
- Complications of a deviated nasal septum
You should go for immediate treatment of your deviated septum so that you can avoid or reduce your risk of its complications. If you have a severely deviated nasal septum that causes nasal congestion (stuffy nose), expect a dry mouth, exertion of pressure in nasal passages, and sleep disturbance.
You can eliminate a dry mouth by keeping your mouth closed and breathing through your nose, which is important for improving saliva flow.
- Treatment and prevention of deviated septum
As long as you do not have symptoms of a deviated septum or the symptoms are mild, you do not require treatment. Still, you can relieve the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum through over-the-counter or prescription medications.
If medications fail to relieve symptoms of a deviated septum, your doctor may recommend a septoplasty. During the surgery, your surgeon will separate the septum covering and surgically remove the deviated nasal cartilage and bone.
The prevention of a deviated septum is possible by avoiding nasal injuries. For instance, wear a helmet with a face mask when playing high-contact sports such as ice hockey.
Contact Dr.Mani H. Zadeh M.D F.A.C.S. today to schedule an appointment with a deviated septum specialist.