Nearly 80% of us have a deviated septum. These deviations range from a slight tilt to a complete hindrance.
The symptoms that you may have will vary based on the degree of your deviation. To learn how to tell if you have a deviated septum, keep reading.
What Is a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum occurs when the wall (septum) between the nasal passages becomes displaced. When the septum isn’t aligned in the center, there is a deviation.
A deviated septum can cause one of the nasal passages to become smaller. If the deviation is severe, it can completely block one of the nasal passages. This can make it difficult to breathe.
Causes of a Deviated Septum
Most deviated septums are present at birth. They’re likely genetic in nature and may not cause any symptoms.
Some deviated septums develop after an injury to the nose. Even if you’ve never broken your nose, you may develop a nasal deviation.
Most of these injuries occur during contact sports, automobile accidents, and similar types of trauma.
Over time, an existing nasal deviation can worsen. Swelling and irritation over time can cause more discomfort.
If someone has told you that you don’t have a nasal deviation, this could have changed in the past few years. It’s worth having another physical exam to examine any symptoms you may be having.
How to Tell If You Have a Deviated Septum?
People with deviated septums may experience a variety of symptoms.
One of the most common symptoms is nasal obstruction. An obstruction/blockage, also known as nasal congestion, can make it difficult to breathe. If you have allergies, this nasal congestion may become unbearable.
If you have awareness of the nasal cycle, you may have a deviated septum. The nasal cycle is when one side becomes congested and then the other side becomes congested. This back and forth isn’t normal and could be a side of a deviated septum.
Noisy breathing and nosebleeds may also be signs of a deviated septum. Additionally, some patients develop facial pain as the congestion pressure builds up.
Deviated Septum Treatment
You can control the symptoms of a deviated septum by taking decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays. However, none of these nasal medications will correct a deviated septum.
The only way to completely fix a deviated septum is by getting a septoplasty. This procedure straightens the nasal septum. With the septal deviation corrected, the symptoms of the deviation should also subside.
If you’re tired of your septal deviation, you should look into nose reshaping today.
Fix a Deviated Septum with a Septoplasty
If you have a deviated septum and you’re tired of dealing with the symptoms, it may be time to invest in a septoplasty. Go ahead and make an appointment with an ENT to get an evaluation for your septoplasty.
The sooner you get the procedure done, the sooner you’ll be able to get relief from your symptoms.
To learn more about other common medical conditions, check out the rest of our blog.