What is a Deviated Septum?
The septum is the thin wall separating your nostrils. When this thin wall is not straight, you have what is known as a deviated septum. One nostril is typically smaller than the other nostril.
Causes of a Deviated Septum
There are several causes of a deviated septum, including a developmental bone abnormality, trauma or injury to your nose, or a broken nose.
Complications of Having a Deviated Septum
A deviated septum may not cause problems. Unfortunately, a deviated septum may also result in difficulty breathing through your nose. When you can’t breathe well through your nose, you may experience:
- More severe respiratory symptoms when you have a viral infection from a cold or the flu
- Louder and more frequent snoring or sleep apnea
Professional Treatments for a Deviated Septum
Your ENT specialist may begin with non-invasive treatment solutions to help you breathe better. Non-invasive treatments include:
- Saline flushes
- Decongestant medications
- Antihistamine medications
- Nasal steroid sprays
For severe deviated septum issues, surgery, known as septoplasty, may be advised. Septoplasty corrects the alignment of the nasal septum.
More about Septoplasty
Septoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure to straighten the nasal septum. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and can take 25 to 45 minutes. Recovery from sedation requires additional time.
Recovery from Septoplasty
Septoplasty is completed internally through the nose. Unlike rhinoplasty, septoplasty doesn’t change the appearance of the nose. Nasal splints are inserted to hold the septum in place while it heals. Septoplasty requires about 5 to 7 days of healing time. The splints are removed during a post-operative visit one week after the septoplasty procedure.
Want To Know More About a Deviated Septum?
To find out more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of a deviated septum, including septoplasty, call Drs. Peter Kaiser, Michael Gutman, and Joseph Chiara at North Valley Ear, Nose & Throat. You can reach them in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, by calling (602) 688-6500, so call today.