Nasal Septum Deviation

Difficulty while breathing through the nose is the most noticeable symptom when one has a deviated septum, especially when it is significantly crooked or tilted to one side of the nose. Here are some of the symptoms of a nasal septum deviation:

• Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils: One half of the nose always feels blocked, making it difficult to breathe through the nose—this is more noticeable when the person has a common cold or allergies.
• Nosebleeds: The membranes in the nose dry up as air doesn't pass through the nostrils as efficiently, leading to nosebleeds.
• Repeated sinus infections: Clogged airways and nasal passages are some of the leading causes of sinus infections and sinusitis.
• Loud breathing through the mouth and snoring: Difficulty breathing is also a common reason behind sleeping difficulties as well as sleep apnea among people.
• Headaches: The pressure built up in the head due to the lack of oxygen also leads to headaches.

As mentioned earlier, many people do not even realise that they have been living with a nasal septum deviation unless blocked sinuses or allergies trigger breathing difficulties that lead them to get it checked by a doctor. However, some of the leading causes of deviated septums among people are:

• Congenital: People are known to be born with this defect, or a deviated septum develops during childhood.
• Injury: Sudden injury to the face or directly to the nose has also been known to cause nasal septum deviations among many people. Boxers are known to suffer from broken noses even during training, and some have also been known to surgically remove the cartilage to avoid injuries during professional bouts.

A nasal septum deviation, if it hasn't developed at birth or during childhood, can be prevented by taking precautions for the face. A direct injury or blow to the face can damage the nose and the nasal septum, thus wearing helmets while playing contact sports or while riding a motorcycle, or wearing a seatbelt while driving are some precautions one can take.

If you have been having difficulty breathing for a while and it gets aggravated due to seasonal changes, allergies or blocked sinuses, it is a good idea to get it checked by a doctor who can diagnose any underlying problem. Deviated septums are quite noticeable in most cases, but may also need a doctor to check both the nostrils with a nasal speculum, an instrument specially designed to widen the nostril to be able to look further inside.

The doctor would follow up their examination with some questions regarding the symptoms you have been facing as well as your medical history with regards to sleeping troubles, snoring and sinus problems, besides the breathing difficulties you have been experiencing.

Many people continue to lead normal lives despite having a deviated septum—treatment is usually not required in these cases. For all other patients of DNS, the severity of the nasal septum deviation determines the course of action and subsequent treatment.

There are several other treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms that emerge due to the presence of a deviated septum:

• Decongestants: There are several medicines that can help reduce the swelling in the nasal tissues—swelling in these tissues can add to the breathing difficulties. These decongestants can help keep the airways in the nostrils open on both sides, helping a patient to breathe better. Nasal sprays or pills are often prescribed to deal with stuffy noses or blocked sinuses, but the downside is that prolonged use of these medications may cause dependency. Symptoms are also known to worsen if one stops using these decongestants suddenly.
• Nasal steroid sprays: Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids are helpful in reducing the swelling in the nasal passages and draining out the mucus, leading to improved breathing. However, these must be used only under the strict instructions of a doctor.
• Antihistamines: These medications are useful to prevent symptoms arising out of allergies such as a stuffy or runny nose, or even non-allergic symptoms due to a common cold. However, these medications are also known to have side effects such as drowsiness, which is why it is important to not drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming them.
• Nasal strips: These over-the-counter nasal strips are tiny elastic strips that one puts over the flare of their nostrils—they have adhesive on one side to keep them in place. The bands begin to straighten back to their original shape, thus lifting the sides of the nose up and opening the airways. They are particularly useful for those suffering from sleeping difficulties.
• Septoplasty: Septoplasty is a kind of surgery that is usually prescribed by the doctor if none of the above-mentioned treatment methods works. It is a surgical procedure to straighten the nasal septum and reposition it to the centre of the nose. The level of improvement, however, is dependent on the severity of the deviation in the first place. This procedure can help erase problems such as blocked airways, but other problems such as sinusitis, allergies or other nasal problems that are not there because of your deviated septum cannot be cured.

There are some complications associated with having a nasal septum deviation. They include:

• Sleep disorders: Difficulty sleeping is one of the common side effects of living with a deviated septum, as it affects the airflow while sleeping, resulting in disrupted sleeping patterns. Not being able to breathe comfortably through the night can lead to affected sleep, and it is a common sign of sleep apnea as well.
• Pressure: Congestion in the nasal passages leads to a feeling of pressure in the face and head, leading to headaches and general discomfort.
• Dry mouth: A common fallout of not being able to breathe comfortably through your nose is breathing through the mouth, which results in a dry mouth.

There are complications associated with surgical procedures to correct a nasal septum deviation as well. While on most occasions surgeries go well, there can be some risks that remain, including a change in the shape of the nose, excessive bleeding from the nose, lowered or reduced sense of smell or even septal hematoma, besides the problem arising out of a deviated septum returning despite the surgery.