Nose and sinus care can not only make you more comfortable, it can improve your general health. However, just like any other part of the body, your nose can experience problems that have wide-ranging effects on your daily life.
Your septum is the strip of cartilage down the center of the nose that separates the two nostrils. A septum will ideally create two equally-sized nostrils, but this isn’t always the case. An uneven septum results in nostrils of different sizes. This is actually quite common. Our bodies aren’t always completely even.
However, this unevenness can sometimes be severe and can cause some health complications. This is what’s known as a deviated septum. The good news is that a nose and sinus specialist can help.
Symptoms
The differing sizes of nostrils formed as the result of a deviated septum often create uneven passageways of air. This can create a variety of problems. The first is that it simply makes it difficult to breathe. A constricted nostril won’t leave much room for air to pass through. Think of a hose with a kink in it. This can become even more apparent if there is a sinus issue like allergies or a cold.
This difficulty breathing through one side of the nose puts increased burden on the other nostril, which can lead to dryness and nosebleeds.
Our noses continually cycle between our nostrils. This is known as the nasal cycle. One nostril is obstructed, putting the onus of breathing on the other side. And then it switches. We are not usually aware of this cycle unless there is a problem. A deviated septum will make it quite clear when the uncompromised side becomes obstructed.
Snoring and noisy breathing during sleep is a frequent result of a deviated septum. This leads to a lower quality of rest during your sleep cycles and can often lead to continually waking yourself throughout the night. The difficulty breathing leads people to breathe through their mouths which can create dry mouth or a sore throat.
Sinus problems are a frequent result of a deviated septum. This can lead to facial pain or sinus infections. A sinus specialist can help through some of these issues, but a severely deviated septum will need to be addressed if the problems persist.
Causes
Our bodies grow in unpredictable ways. One frequent cause of a deviated septum is simply the fact that the nose has grown into it. This is why uneven septums are common. People will frequently have slight variance in arm length, or facial symmetry, or a variety of other attributes that seem like they should be even. However, a deviated septum takes this reality a bit further to the point of being detrimental.
Others are simply born with a deviated septum.
However, there are other circumstances that can lead a person with perfectly even nostrils to develop a deviated septum. The piece of cartilage that separates the two nostrils is not particularly strong. Focused trauma on the area can easily break it, which can lead to the development of the above issues.
There are a variety of circumstances that can lead to a broken nose. Car accidents, contact sports, physical altercations, falls, and more can result in damage to the nose.
Treatments
The good news is that these issues can be treated. Severe cases can be directly addressed with surgery. Septoplasty corrects the alignment of the septum. The surgeon cuts into the nose to expose the cartilage. It is then straightened and any excess bone or cartilage is removed. Stitches are occasionally used to hold the septum in place, however putting cotton into the nose can also be used to hold the septum in place as it heals.
Less severe cases can make use of other treatments. Surgery is the only way to truly correct a deviated septum, however these other treatments can help to mitigate some of the symptoms.
Nasal strips are frequently used to open the passageways in the nose. An adhesive strip is fortified with splints to pull at the nostrils to allow for easier breathing.
Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays are also used to lessen the symptoms of a deviated septum. A visit to a nose and sinus specialist can run through these alternative options before resorting to corrective surgery.
Protecting Yourself
Those who either aren’t born with a deviated septum or haven’t developed one over time can protect themselves to avoid creating one. Wear a helmet if you participate in contact sports and always wear a seatbelt when you are riding in a car. Protecting your face from impact will diminish your likelihood of developing a deviated septum.
Visit A Nose and Sinus Specialist in Nashville, TN
Are you experiencing problems with breathing and sleeping? Visiting a nose and sinus specialist in Nashville, TN can start you down a path to a more comfortable life. Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) have been helping patients treat their nose and sinus issues in Nashville, TN for years.
