About Deviated Septums
A deviated septum is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction and congestion. The nasal septum is the midline dividing wall of the nose. A deviated septum occurs when the septum is not perfectly in the midline, causing the left and right sides of the nose to be divided unevenly. This potentially results in an uneven flow of air through the nose resulting in the sensation of a blockage. The nasal septum is made up of the quadrangular cartilage anteriorly, the vomer bone posteriorly, the ethmoid bone superiorly, and the maxillary crest bone inferiorly. The bony-cartilaginous septum is covered by a mucosal lining. A deviated septum can be a result of crookedness to any or all of these portions of the septum.
Deviated Septum Treatment
Most of my patients with a deviated septum do not need surgery. If my patient doesn’t have symptoms of nasal obstruction, I recommend leaving the deviated septum alone. If there are obstructive symptoms, nasal sprays or allergy therapy may be enough to decrease swelling around the deviated septum resulting in a sufficient airway. However, if there is persistent obstruction despite conservative therapy, septoplasty surgery is often a great option. You can watch a video of Dr. Reddy’s endoscopic septoplasty here.
Deviated Septum FAQs
The sooner a deviated septum is diagnosed, the easier treatment will be. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a deviated septum, it’s a good idea to see a doctor so they can confirm if you have one and start treatment as soon as possible.
The deviated septum itself does not worsen, but the symptoms can become more pronounced and bothersome as time goes on.
Physical examinations, nasal endoscopies, and imaging tests are all ways to diagnose a deviated septum.
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