Breathing Problems Due to Deviated Septum

Breathing Problems Due to Deviated Septum

There are ENT related problems that cause breathing difficulties. When your nostrils and your adenoids are enlarged, you are likely to have sleep apnea. Nasal polyps can also trigger breathing problems. One of the least known activator of breathing difficulties is deviated septum.

What is a Deviated Septum?

The septum is a part of your nose that is made of cartilage and bones. It divides your nostrils evenly. If your septum is deviated, it means there is misplacement in the walls of your nostrils. Thus your nostrils are uneven.

Medical authorities in the United States estimate that around 80% of the population has uneven septum. However, this condition becomes a problem only when the deviation is very significant. If the misplacement of your septum is significant, you will have a constant feeling of stuffiness.

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

The most common cause of a deviated septum is sudden blunt trauma. Any sudden impact on your nose area can detach the plate of your ethmoid bone from your nasal septum wall. This can cause the septum to deviate from one side to the other.

If your nose is broken because of the impact, your septum may not heal evenly. When this happens, there will be an excess of bone on one side of your septum, which can obstruct the normal flow of air. You may experience breathing problems thereafter.

Another event that may cause a deviated septum is genetic or congenital disorder. During the exit of a child out from his mother’s womb, his skull flexes to enable him to pass through the birth canal easily. When there is extreme pressure placed on the child’s nose, the septum is pushed out of place before his skull bones are able to set and mature.

Symptoms of a Deviated Septum

Some of the symptoms of a deviated septum include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Facial pain
• Post nasal drip
• Congestion
• Sinus infection
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Headache

How a Deviated Septum is Treated

It is important to consult with an ENT specialist for the ENT services and treatment of your deviated septum. After diagnosing your condition, he may recommend one of the two modes of treatments discussed below.

1. Managing the symptoms

The initial treatment for a deviated septum includes administering decongestants which are designed to reduce nasal tissue swelling. Antihistamines may also be given to help prevent allergy symptoms. The ENT specialist may also prescribe a nasal steroid spray to reduce the inflammation in your nasal passage.

2. Surgical procedure

If your symptom persists, your ENT doctor may recommend surgery. The surgical procedure for correcting a deviated septum is called septoplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will straighten and reposition your nasal septum so that it will be located at the center of your nose.

Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk