TL;DR:
- Nasal Septum: Divides the nose into two parts; a crooked septum can restrict airflow and cause symptoms like headaches, snoring, sleep apnea, and breathing difficulty.
- Causes: Congenital, trauma, prior surgeries, or diseases. Mild deviations are common but only treated if symptomatic.
- Diagnosis: ENT specialist uses a rhinoscope or CT scan; symptoms decide treatment need.
- Symptoms: Headaches, impaired breathing, nasal obstructions, sleep issues, reduced sense of smell, nosebleeds, and nasal speech.
- Surgery (Septoplasty): Corrects deformities under general or local anesthesia. Benefits include improved breathing, reduced snoring, and fewer infections. Recovery involves limited activity, hydration, and ointments.
- Other Procedures:
- Rhinoplasty: Aesthetic nose reshaping.
- Conchoplasty: Improves nasal airflow by altering nasal conchae, often combined with septoplasty.
The nasal septum is the lamina located in the middle of the nose. It divides it into two parts and is covered by a mucous membrane. A curved nasal septum can be a congenital or acquired ailment. Its correction is one of the most common nasal interventions. Although, curved nasal septum can be lived with, patients usually complain of a number of unpleasant symptoms caused by it. Find out what can be done about a crooked nasal septum.
What does a crooked nasal septum look like?
A normal nasal septum consists of cartilage and two bony parts and a movable part. It is a straight sheet that divides the nasal openings into two equal or nearly equal parts. **In people with a crooked septum, it is angled or has an unusual shape. Sometimes other types of lesions can also be seen on it, which can impede breathing and restrict airflow through the nose, which is particularly troublesome for patients who present with this problem. The nose has the task of pre-cleaning, warming and moisturizing the inhaled air. When there is a feeling of labored breathing or a drastic reduction in airflow, Patients experience very great discomfort. crooked nasal septum
What are the causes of crooked nasal septum?
A crooked nasal septum can be a congenital ailment, when its development is not normal, or when genetic factors have influenced its appearance. It also happens that curved septum can be acquired as a result of various injuries, trauma or perinatal complications. It is also often the result of improperly performed previous nasal procedures and complications afterwards. It can also be associated with the presence of various diseases. It is one of the most common and treated ENT ailments. It is found in both children and adults. A mildly crooked nasal septum can be observed in most of the population, but only the presence of any symptoms that negatively affect the quality of life qualifies it for treatment.
Symptoms of crooked nasal septum
Some of the common symptoms that affect people with a crooked nasal septum include headaches, breathing discomfort, prolonged runny nose, difficulty clearing nasal secretions, sleep apnea, snoring, among others. Particularly the last two mentioned symptoms prove to be troublesome for patients. Sleep apnea leads to awakenings during the night, and snoring is sometimes loud. This makes it difficult to rest and reduces the quality of sleep both for the person suffering from a crooked septum and for their companions. Often Patients try to treat snoring or apnea on their own, without being aware that a crooked septum may be the cause. In addition, in a crooked septum one can encounter symptoms such as a weakened sense of smell, talking through the nose, nosebleeds and blocked ears.
Diagnosis of a crooked septum
To diagnose a crooked nasal septum, one must visit an ENT specialist, who will take a thorough history of the patient and most likely perform an examination using a rhinoscope. In addition, he or she may also order a CT scan, which sometimes proves helpful in making a diagnosis. Whether a patient is eligible for septal straightening surgery is decided not only on the basis of tests, but largely on the symptoms he or she reports. This is because it is often the case that a slight curvature of the septum produces bothersome symptoms, while a significant curvature does not significantly impede daily functioning.
Indications for surgery
Among the indications for septal surgery are difficulty breathing, discomfort during daily functioning, as well as:
- significantly reduced nasal cavity lumen,
- chronic sinusitis and infections of the nose and ears,
- changes in the anatomical structure of the septum caused by diseases,
- severe or frequent nosebleeds,
- difficulty and fatigue when speaking and speaking through the nose.
It also happens that nasal septum surgery is considered as preparation for other procedures performed in this area. The surgery is always qualified by the doctor, and the external appearance of the nose can also be improved during the operation. Before correcting a crooked septum, a set of tests must be performed. Currently, the procedure can be performed on people of virtually any age, if there are no contraindications. Examples of restrictions include blood clotting disorders, acute sinusitis, infections and problems with the nasal mucosa. However, most of these are only temporary, so once the disqualifying conditions have subsided or healed, the procedure can be performed.
Nasal septal surgery – what is worth knowing about it?
A crooked nasal septum is an anatomical abnormality of the nose, which occurs in principle in most adults. Whether there are indications for surgery is determined by the presence of troublesome symptoms that impede daily functioning. When the nasal septum surgery is performed and the altered tissues healed, the patient begins to experience the positive effects of its performance. Among them are, for example, easier breathing, a reduction in the risk of inflammation in the respiratory tract or a solution to the problem of snoring. This significantly improves the comfort of life for most Patients, who previously struggled, for example, with a constantly blocked nose. A crooked nasal septum is such a troublesome ailment that perioperative issues are not so troublesome for Patients. On the day of surgery, you should appear for surgery on an empty stomach, without applying any cosmetics to your skin first. It is advisable to take the medications you are taking with you. After the procedure, it is usually advisable to perform irrigation with sea water, as well as to limit physical activity so as to create comfortable conditions for healing. In addition, it is necessary to use special ointments prescribed by the doctor, designed to prevent dryness of the nose. Patients also take the proposed anti-hemorrhage and painkillers. Having problems with nasal discharge, breathing and snoring? Nasal septal surgery can help!
Septoplasty – what is it?
Septoplasty is performed on the internal part of the nose. Its purpose is to straighten the crooked septum or remove deformities, growths and other abnormalities from it. ** During the procedure, excess tissue is cut out, its alignment is recomposed and a normal septum is formed. The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia, but in some cases it is possible to perform it under local anesthesia alone, especially when there are contraindications to anesthesia, but not to septoplasty.
The operation begins with the administration of anesthesia. Next, the doctor makes incisions in the nasal area to be able to separate its cartilage from the mucous membrane. He then cuts out the abnormal parts of the septum and places sutures, which may or may not be dissolvable. If regular sutures are used, they will have to be removed at a later follow-up. The patient goes home the same day. Reconvalescence is not overly strenuous. In 48h after the procedure, the dressing should be removed from the nose. The stabilizing plates, if used, are removed after 7-10 days.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is often performed when there is a need for nasal septum correction. It consists of improving the aesthetic qualities of the nose, especially the external. It may be based on the removal of a hump, potential bumps, reducing the tip of the nose, improving its symmetry or turning it slightly upward. A distinction is made between rhinoplasty performed by an open or closed method. The first gives the doctor much greater access to the operated nose, but is more invasive. The second is used when the lesions are to cover only the dorsum of the nose.
Conchoplasty
Conchoplasty is a procedure that aims to improve the nasal conchae. Combined with septoplasty, it can produce a great many positive results. It improves nasal patency, can reduce unpleasant discomforts associated with allergies or runny nose, and can eliminate snoring and sleep apnea. Conchoplasty is performed under local anesthesia. There is usually no need for general anesthesia.
It can be performed with the help of laser or radiofrequency waves, which allow to reduce the oversized auricles. A tamponade is not used after the procedure, as the potentially bleeding that can occur after the procedure is not that serious.
Conclusion
A crooked nasal septum can affect comfort and health significantly. It may cause breathing issues, snoring, or frequent headaches. While mild cases might not require treatment, severe symptoms often justify surgical correction like septoplasty. This procedure not only eases breathing but also improves sleep quality and overall well-being. If your nasal issues disrupt daily life or rest, addressing the root cause with expert consultation is essential. Modern treatments are safe, effective, and can lead to considerable improvements in quality of life. Don't ignore persistent symptoms—they might signal the need for professional care.
