Deviated Nasal Septum
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 234, Word Count: 579,
Deviated nasal septum is a physical disorder of the nose in which displacement of the nasal septum takes place. A deviated nasal septum is basically an abnormality in the partition of the nose which separates the two nostrils. This may take place due to different reasons. Patients with deviated nasal septum are treated with surgery.
Important Aspects of Deviated Nasal Septum
· Nasal septum (partition) is made up of bone and cartilage and covered with the mucous membrane.
· It is normally straight and situated at the center which divides two nostrils into two equal halves.
· In some people, nasal septum is bent or deviated. It can be present from birth or takes place due to any accident or injury to the nose.
· Sometimes, this deviation may be shifted from the midline partially or completely and blocks the nasal passage.
· These deviations are of two types. In one type, the flexible cartilage of the lower side of the septum dislocates and pushes it to one side. This results in lessening of the nostrils. While in the other type, the septum deforms into an S-shape, causing complete blockage of nostrils.
· This blocking of nasal passage due to deviated nasal septum can interfere with the sinus drainage. This results in sinus inflammation and chronic sinusitis.
· Entry of excess airflow from deviated nasal septum can lead to drying of the mucous membrane; in this case one can experience nosebleeds.
· The commonly occurring cause of a deviated septum is accidental trauma. Persons who play sports like karate, football, and boxing without protective headgear are normally at higher risk.
· Deviated septum is also sometimes associated with genetic connective tissue disorders, for e.g. Marfan syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
Diagnosis of Deviated Nasal Septum
Most importantly the diagnosis takes place using the following methods:
History
The patients report a history of injury to the face or nose. The most common symptom of deviated septum is trouble in breathing. Depending on the severity, the patient may report sinusitis, repeated ear infections, headache or nosebleeds. If a patient is a scuba diver, he /she may experience difficulty in equalizing the pressure in the ears.
Physical Examination
Visual inspection may identify the inequality in the size of the nostrils. Along with this, a deformity of the external nose can give the sign of a deviated nasal septum. Doctors properly examine the nasal cavity, noisy breathing and swelling of cavity walls or irritation in the nose before concluding the disorder.
Treatment of Deviated Nasal Septum
· There is no such specific medicine that can straighten your deviated nasal septum. The only solution to correct this defect is surgery. The surgery that corrects the deviated nasal septum is known as septoplasty.
· Doctors perform septoplasty through a small incision made inside the nose. It is followed by lifting the lining of the septum or mucous membranes from the cartilage and bone.
· After doing this, the cartilage and bone get sculpted and repositioned.
· This takes place within 30 - 45 minutes by giving sedation, anesthesia or general anesthesia to the patient.
· Before surgery, doctors perform fiberoptic analysis of the nose, so as to point out the exact problem and solution.
· Nowadays, this is an easy treatment which is more effective and safer.
From this we can conclude that the deviated nasal septum have the definite solution, so consult your doctor as to make the deformed septum better.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
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