Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is nasal septal deviation?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs and symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of septal deviation?
- 1. Blockage of one or both nostrils
- 2. Headache
- 3. Nosebleeds
- 4. Sleep disturbances
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What are the causes of septal deviation?
- 1. Abnormalities at birth
- 2. Heredity
- 3. Injury to the nose
- 4. Certain health conditions
- Diagnosis and treatment
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for nasal septal deviation?
- Drugs
- Operation
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat nasal septal deviation?
Definition
What is nasal septal deviation?
Nasal septal deviation, also known as nasal septal deviation, is a nasal disorder that occurs when the septum moves away from the midline of the nose. The septum is the soft bone that divides the nasal cavity in half.
A normal nasal septum is located exactly in the middle, separating the left and right sides of the nose into two passages of the same size. This displaced or bent (deviation) septum can cause the flow of air in and out of the nose to be obstructed, resulting in disruption of breathing.
Symptoms usually feel worse on one side of the nose, and sometimes even occur on the opposite side of the bend in the septum. In some cases, a crooked septum can interfere with drainage of the sinuses, resulting in recurrent sinus infections (sinusitis).
How common is this condition?
Septal deviation is a fairly common condition. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck, an organization of ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists in America, 80% of the nasal septum has some degree of deviation.
It is estimated that 80 percent of all human nasal septum is not right in the middle. However, this condition is usually not recognized or does not cause severe enough symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of septal deviation?
Most septal deformities cause no symptoms, and you may not even realize that you have an deviated septum. However, some septal deformities can cause the following signs and symptoms:
1. Blockage of one or both nostrils
This blockage can make it difficult to breathe through one or both nostrils.
This condition may be more pronounced when you have a cold, upper respiratory tract infection (ARI), or allergies that can cause your nasal passages to swell and narrow.
2. Headache
Since air is not able to get in and out of your nasal congestion smoothly, you may experience a sharp headache. The pain may also radiate to your face.
3. Nosebleeds
A bent septum or nasal bone causes air not to enter the nasal cavity properly. As a result, the surface of the inner wall of the nose can become dry, thereby increasing the risk of nose bleeds, aka nosebleeds.
4. Sleep disturbances
The nasal passages that are compressed by a bent septum will become blocked, making it difficult for you to breathe while sleeping. This condition is called sleep apnea.
In addition, you also tend to snore more often snoring while sleeping due to obstruction of the respiratory tract.
When should I see a doctor?
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent worsening of nasal septal deviation and prevent other medical emergencies, so consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent this serious condition.
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body experiences various symptoms. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.
Cause
What are the causes of septal deviation?
Nasal septal deviation can be caused by:
1. Abnormalities at birth
In some cases, crooked nasal bones occur during fetal development and are evident at birth.
Crooked nasal bones that occur at birth usually look like the letter S or C. The extent of the deviation or bending may naturally increase or change with age.
2. Heredity
According to experts, the shape of the nose can be passed from parents to posterity. That is why usually in one family it is possible that the nose shape of all family members is similar.
However, that does not mean that if parents have a hooked nose, their children must have the same condition.
3. Injury to the nose
Septal deviation can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to move out of position.
In babies, this kind of injury can occur during childbirth. Meanwhile, in children and adults, religious accidents can be the cause of nose injuries and lead to crooked nasal bones.
These injuries to the nose most commonly occur during contact sports (such as boxing), hitting hard objects, or traffic accidents.
4. Certain health conditions
Certain diseases or health conditions, such as sinusitis and rhinitis, also have the potential to cause crooked nasal bones.
In addition, in some cases, a cold can also be a temporary cause of crooked nasal bones. People who have a cold may trigger temporary inflammation of the nose.
Colds cause minor airflow disorders associated with a person with a crooked nasal bone. However, after a cold and nasal inflammation subsides, the symptoms of crooked nasal bones will also disappear.
Diagnosis and treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is this condition diagnosed?
During the examination, the doctor will first ask what signs and symptoms you may be experiencing. Next, the doctor begins to examine the inside of your nose using a nasal speculum, a device equipped with a flashlight to open your nostrils wider.
If necessary, your doctor may examine your nasal passages more deeply scope hose shaped length. Before and after this test, you will be given a decongestant nasal spray.
What are the treatments for nasal septal deviation?
After examining the condition of your nasal bones, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment method for your condition.
Drugs
The first option for treating septal deviation is prescription drugs, such as:
- Decongestants, to relieve swelling of the tissues in the nose. This medicine aims to open your airways wider, so that you can breathe freely.
- Antihistamines, for septal deviation associated with a runny nose due to allergies. Antihistamines will reduce allergic reactions in your body, so you can breathe better.
- Steroid nasal spray, to reduce inflammation and swelling inside the nose.
Operation
If you still feel symptoms even though you have used medication from your doctor, you may need to consider the next treatment method, namely surgery or septoplasty.
Septoplasty is an effective way to completely heal a crooked nose bone. With a septoplasty procedure, the surgeon will straighten and reposition your nasal bones to center back.
Septoplasty is generally a safe procedure. However, like any medical procedure, there are still risks that need to be aware of. The risk of this procedure is the emergence of disorders of the nose, such as:
- change in nose shape
- excessive bleeding
- decreased sense of smell
- temporary numbness of the gums and upper teeth
- hematoma (buildup of blood outside the blood vessels) of the septum
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat nasal septal deviation?
You can prevent injuries to your nose that can cause septal deviation with these steps:
- Use a helmet or a special mask when playing sports with body contact, such ashockeyor boxing.
- Use a safety harness when driving a vehicle, such as a seat belt when driving a car and a helmet when riding a motorbike.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor to find the best solution for you.
