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Deviated Septum Symptoms and What to Do About Them

Do you constantly struggle to breathe through one side of your nose? Wake up with a dry mouth because you’ve been breathing through it all night? Experience frequent sinus infections that never seem to fully resolve? You might be dealing with a deviated septum.

A deviated septum is one of the most common nasal conditions. While many people live with minor deviations without issue, a significantly deviated septum can cause persistent symptoms that impact quality of life, sleep, and overall health.

What Is a Deviated Septum?

Your nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into two separate chambers. Ideally, this wall sits in the center, creating two equal nasal passages. However, when the septum is off-center or crooked, it’s considered deviated.

A deviated septum can range from mild (slightly off-center) to severe (dramatically blocking one nasal passage). The more severe the deviation, the more likely you are to experience bothersome symptoms.

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

Most deviated septums result from one of two causes:

  • Congenital: Many people are born with a deviated septum or develop one during childhood growth
  • Injury: Trauma to the nose from sports injuries, accidents, or falls can shift the septum out of position

Sometimes, aging and normal wear on nasal structures can also contribute to or worsen an existing deviation.

Common Deviated Septum Symptoms

Not everyone with a deviated septum experiences symptoms, but when they do occur, they can significantly affect daily life. Here are the most common signs:

Difficulty Breathing Through Your Nose

This is the hallmark symptom of a deviated septum. You may notice that one nostril is consistently more blocked than the other, or that breathing through your nose requires more effort than it should. Many people find themselves unconsciously breathing through their mouths, especially during physical activity or sleep.

Chronic Nasal Congestion

If you feel perpetually stuffed up despite not having a cold or allergies, a deviated septum could be the culprit. The blocked nasal passage makes it difficult for mucus to drain properly, leading to persistent congestion.

Frequent Sinus Infections

When your nasal passages can’t drain effectively due to structural blockage, mucus builds up and creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. People with a deviated septum often experience recurring sinus infections that seem to appear out of nowhere.

Nosebleeds

The altered airflow caused by a deviated septum can dry out the nasal lining on one side more than the other, making that side prone to frequent nosebleeds, especially during dry winter months.

Facial Pain or Pressure

Blocked drainage and chronic inflammation can lead to pressure and pain around your nose, cheeks, forehead, and between your eyes. This discomfort often worsens when you bend forward or lie down.

Loud Breathing and Snoring

The restricted airflow through your nose can cause noisy breathing during the day and snoring at night. Your sleeping partner may have noticed this more than you have.

Sleep Problems

Many people with a deviated septum struggle with sleep apnea or poor sleep quality because they can’t breathe properly through their nose. This leads to mouth breathing, frequent waking, and feeling unrested in the morning.

Postnasal Drip

When mucus can’t drain properly through your nose, it drips down the back of your throat instead. This causes that annoying sensation of constantly needing to clear your throat and can lead to chronic cough.

Preference for Sleeping on One Side

Do you always sleep on the same side? People with a deviated septum often unconsciously favor sleeping on one side because it allows the more open nasal passage to be on top, making breathing easier.

How Is a Deviated Septum Diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, it’s worth getting evaluated by an ENT specialist. Diagnosis typically involves:

  • Physical Examination: Your doctor will use a bright light and nasal speculum to look inside your nose and assess the position of your septum.
  • Nasal Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera may be inserted into your nose to get a detailed view of your nasal structures and identify the severity of the deviation.
  • Imaging: In some cases, a CT scan may be ordered to see the full extent of the deviation and check for other contributing factors like polyps or chronic sinusitis.

Treatment Options for a Deviated Septum

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and how much the deviation affects your daily life.

Conservative Management

For mild symptoms, your doctor may first recommend:

  • Decongestants: Temporary relief from nasal congestion
  • Antihistamines: If allergies are contributing to inflammation
  • Nasal steroid sprays: Reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Saline irrigation: Helps keep nasal passages clear
  • Nasal strips: Can temporarily improve breathing during sleep

While these approaches can help manage symptoms, they don’t correct the structural problem and won’t provide permanent relief.

Surgical Treatment: Septoplasty

For moderate to severe deviated septums causing persistent symptoms, septoplasty is the gold standard treatment. This surgical procedure straightens the septum by trimming, repositioning, or removing the deviated portions.

What to Expect:

  • Usually performed as an outpatient procedure
  • Done under general or local anesthesia
  • Takes about 60-90 minutes
  • Recovery typically takes 1-2 weeks
  • Most patients experience significant improvement in breathing and symptom relief

Many people who undergo septoplasty wish they’d done it sooner, as the improvement in quality of life can be dramatic.

Complementary Procedures

Sometimes, a deviated septum occurs alongside other conditions that can be addressed simultaneously:

At the Ear & Sinus Institute, we specialize in comprehensive evaluations to identify all factors contributing to your breathing difficulties and create a personalized treatment plan.

When Should You See a Specialist?

Consider making an appointment if you’re experiencing:

  • Chronic nasal obstruction affecting your daily activities
  • Frequent sinus infections (three or more per year)
  • Sleep disturbances due to breathing difficulties
  • Persistent facial pain or pressure
  • Regular nosebleeds
  • Symptoms that don’t improve with medication

You don’t have to live with constant congestion and breathing difficulties. A deviated septum is a treatable condition, and addressing it can dramatically improve your comfort, sleep, and overall health.

Get Relief from Your Deviated Septum Symptoms

If you’re tired of struggling to breathe through your nose or dealing with recurring sinus problems, it’s time to get answers. The specialists at the Ear & Sinus Institute have extensive experience diagnosing and treating deviated septums and related nasal conditions.

Ready to breathe easier? Contact the Ear & Sinus Institute to schedule an appointment. Serving Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, and surrounding areas, we’re committed to helping you find lasting relief through advanced, minimally invasive treatment options.

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Call Us to Schedule an Appointment: (817) 332-4060
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