A minor deviated septum is a minor medical condition that can cause breathing problems for some people. It happens when the cartilage in the nose grows crooked and blocks air from flowing through it. Many of these minor deviations can be corrected through surgery. Still, there is a lot to know before going under the knife. This blog post will discuss minor deviated septums and what other nose surgery may be performed on them!
What is a Deviated Septum
A deviated septum is a condition where the tissue wall separating the nasal passages is crooked or off-centre. This can obstruct airflow and cause difficulty breathing and other problems. A minor nose issue like this can create a deviation that is not severe enough to cause significant functional problems.
Surgery is not always necessary when minor septal deviations like minor cases of other problems. In fact, a doctor can usually treat minor deviations without surgery using a nasal spray medication.
Deviated Septum Symptoms
People with a minor issue may not experience any symptoms. However, for people with a more severe deviation, symptoms can include:
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Difficulty breathing through the nose is the most common symptom of a deviated nose. Patients with minor deviation may live their whole lives without knowing a nasal obstruction resulting from little deviation.
Snoring or sleep apnea
People with a deviated nasal septum are more likely to snore and have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where you briefly stop breathing during sleep. This can lead to fatigue, morning headaches, and problems concentrating during the day.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is another common symptom of a deviated septum. This happens due to the obstruction of airflow, leading to a buildup of mucus in the nasal passages
Other Problems
People with a deviated septum may also experience other problems such as sinus infections and nosebleeds. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor.
What Causes a Deviated Nasal Septum?
A deviated septum occurs when you have a structural abnormality in the nose and sinuses. A minor deviation may be due to:
- Prior nasal trauma, such as from a fall or an accident
- The growth of bone spurs on the nose after prior nasal surgery
- A minor birth defect that was not repaired at birth
People have minor deviations and do not even know it in most cases. Once you reach middle age, minor deviations often become less common.
Additionally, there are some conditions related to minor septum deviation. These include:
- minor nasal deviation
- sinusitis
- chronic sinusitis
- nasal polyps
- asthma
Minor septum deviation is often the result of minor damage to cells within the nasal lining related to minor trauma. While minor septal deviation can happen because of several factors such as:
- Enlarged turbinates
- A small nasal passage increases airflow resistance, affecting breathing and increasing susceptibility to sinus infections, colds, and allergies.
In addition, a deviated septum can make your nasal symptoms much worse if you suffer from allergies.
How To Diagnose?
An otolaryngologist often diagnoses a nasal deviated issue (ENT, or ear, nose and throat doctor). Also, this doctor will perform a thorough examination of your nasal passages to determine any deviation or damage. A minor deviation may or may not require surgical correction. If you are experiencing minor symptoms affecting your quality of life, minor surgery might be necessary.
Does Minor Septal Deviation Require Surgery?
In most cases, people with a minor deviation do not require surgery. However, if you are experiencing any symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor. For people with a severely deviated septum, surgery may be necessary to improve breathing and prevent further health problems.
Can It Be Fixed Without Surgical Method?
There are a few non-surgical options that may help improve minor deviation. These include:
Nasal strips or decongestants to help open the nasal passages
Nasal sprays such as corticosteroid sprays and allergy medications help prevent congestion and reduce swelling in the nasal passages.
Allergy medications to help reduce inflammation
Allergy medications to help reduce inflammation can help treat minor septal deviation (deviated septum). Allergic rhinitis or hay fever usually appears because of airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and mould spores. Patients may develop allergies at any age but this is most common in patients younger than 19 years old or older than 40.
Exercises to help improve nasal breathing
A few exercises may help improve nasal breathing for people with a deviated septum. These exercises include:
- Pinching your nose shut and blowing your nose
- This exercise helps to clear the nasal passages.
- Sticking your tongue out as far as you can and pressing it against the roof of your mouth
This exercise opens up the nasal passages and can help you breathe better.
A minor issue shows minor structural issues in the nasal cavity. It is usual for the nasal septum to be off-centre. Still, doctor or surgeon can often improve it through surgery if it obstructs airflow. Also, a minor deviated nose may not always require surgery, as a few non-surgical options may help improve the condition. If these do not provide adequate relief, surgery may be necessary.
How is Deviated Septum Treated Using Nose Surgery?
In addition to surgery for a deviated septum, other types of nose surgery include:
Rhinoplasty: This surgery is a popular treatment to improve the appearance of the nose. It can reduce the size of the nose, change the shape of the bridge or tip, and correct other minor cosmetic problems.
Septoplasty: Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that can correct minor deviation by tightening or repositioning the septum. Other nose surgeries that may be performed in septoplasty include turbinate reduction or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
Endoscopic sinus surgery: If you have chronic sinusitis, your doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery to improve symptoms and prevent future infections.
Turbinoplasty: This surgery helps toimprove airflow through the nose. Your surgeon can perform this alone or in conjunction with other surgeries, such as rhinoplasty or septoplasty.
Head and Neck Surgery: Head and neck surgery is a complex combination of procedures. The surgeon may perform this to treat minor structural issues, such as the deviated septum, or improve the nose’s function.
If you consider any type of nose surgery, it is essential to discuss your options with a qualified surgeon. They will be able to recommend the best treatment for your specific needs.
Looking For A Qualified Surgeon
The septum is a thin bone that separates the nose from the sinuses. Sometimes it can be deviated or crooked in its alignment. In fact, this condition may create many issues for people who have it. They should see a trained doctor if they suspect a problem with their septum because treatment options vary depending on the severity of the deviation. If you are looking for a qualified surgeon to fix your deviated septum, feel free to contact our office at (07) 3186 8739. We have plenty of experience in this area and can provide the best care possible.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
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