Table of Contents
- What is a Deviated Septum?
- Deviated Septum Symptoms
- Deviated septum snoring
- Deviated septum sleep apnea
- Deviated Septum Causes
- Deviated Septum Pictures
- Deviated Septum Treatment
- Deviated Septum Surgery
- Deviated septum surgery recovery
- Deviated septum surgery risks
The nasal septum is the bone and cartilage that divides the nasal cavities into two separate chambers. It is normally located at the midline making the nostrils symmetrical. Deviated nasal septum, therefore, is the improper alignment or displacement of the septum either to the left or right. Slight deviation does not cause any problems and does not necessitate treatment. There is even an estimate that 80% of the population have deviated nasal septum and most of them are going on with their lives without experiencing any inconveniences. It is only when there is too much deviation that certain health risks are involved.
A severe deviated nasal septum can obstruct one section of the nose and lessens the flow of air into that cavity. This would result to the most common symptoms of a deviated septum: shortness of breath, frequent nosebleeds, nasal congestions and recurrent sinus infections that would lead to sinusitis. There are times when headaches, facial pain and recurring postnasal drips. Young children and infants with severe septum deviation would have noisy breathing while asleep.
Individuals with mild deviation would manifests symptoms of a deviated septum only when they are experiencing upper respiratory tract infections (common cold). The infection would cause inflammation of the nasal passages that would briefly amplify minor airflow obstructions.
Deviated septum snoring
Snoring is one of the most frequent consequences of a deviated septum since the obstruction of the nasal airflow would cause individuals to breath through the mouth. When asleep, the body muscles would relax, including the tongue, soft palate, uvula and the throat – causing these parts to collapse. During respiration, the air movement would cause these parts to vibrate resulting to loud noises or snoring.
Deviated septum sleep apnea
Snoring, when is untreated and ignored for long, it can lead to one of the more serious symptoms of a deviated septum – sleep apnea. This is a chronic condition where an individual recurrently stops breathing for at least ten seconds during sleep. When this problem occurs thirty times or more in a 7-hour sleep period, it is considered as obstructive sleep apnea. The frequent pauses would lead to mild to severe hypoxemia and would eventually lead to ischemic heart disease or other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems that may be fatal.
A deviated septum can develop because of congenital malformation or a traumatic birth. But most of the time it is due to postnatal trauma such as a direct blunt blow to the nose that would cause a fracture to the thin nasal bones that holds the septum together, causing it to be deviated from the midline. Anything that can cause trauma to the nose can lead to septal deviation and this would usually occur during automobile accidents, rough play or playing any contact sports.
A deviated septum can also be connected to Marfan syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, considered to be hereditary tissue disorders.
Picture 1 : Deviated nasal septum
Image source : dyndns.org
Picture 2 : Image of Bony nasal septum deviation
Picture 3 : Deviated nasal septum midline
Picture 4 : Deviated Nasal Septum Diagnosis
Image source : ent.com.hk
There are no known medications that can set straight a deviated septum. Repair is focused on surgically correcting it. Medical treatment is directed to symptomatic management for nasal congestion or postnasal drips. The physicians would generally prescribe decongestants, antihistamines and nasal sprays to relieve these symptoms. In extreme pain caused by the inflammation of the sinuses, mild pain relievers are given.
Permanent deviated septum repair is needed to relieve the individual from the recurrent symptoms and prevent complications in the future.
Significant obstruction of the airway would require surgical intervention. Surgery for deviated septum is called septoplasty. This is done by making a small incision on the internal portion of the nose where the mucous membrane lining the septum is removed from the bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage are then shaped and repositioned. In some cases, a portion of the cartilage or bone is removed in order to properly align and position the septum (rhinoplasty). Once this is done, the mucous lining is sewn back using absorbable sutures.
The surgery for deviated septum would normally take about 30 to 90 minutes to finish and is carried out under general anesthesia or sedation anesthesia. Following the surgical procedure the nose is quickly flushed with saline water of Plain NSS to remove blood clots and other debris. A nasal pack is then placed inside the nose to prevent post-operative hemorrhage and hold the tissues in position during the healing process.
Deviated septum surgery cost would depend on the skill of the surgeon, where the procedure will be done and how complex and severe the individual case would be. A simple deviated septum surgery cost around $1800-$2200 but if rhinoplasty (a cosmetic surgical procedure) is involved, then the operation charge would be greater. Since the medical problem is related to breathing difficulties, the deviated septum surgery cost is included in most insurance plans but the accompanying rhinoplasty is not covered.
Deviated septum surgery recovery
How fast one can recover from the surgical procedure would depend on how severe and complex the septal deviation is. A regular septoplasty would require five days to a week of recovery time before going back to work. However, if more procedures were done (rhinoplasty), then a longer time for rest is required.
During the healing process, preventive the nasal packs placed inside should be changed as often as possible to avoid the infection. It is normal to have mild pain, minor inflammation and bleeding during the first few days following the surgery. Make sure that the nose is not rubbed or the nasal packs removed before schedule as this would cause further inflammation and bleeding. Since the nose is packed, the patient need to breath through the mouth. This would be quite inconvenient and difficult to do during meal times.
Deviated septum surgery risks
Any surgical procedure has possible risks for bleeding and infection. Septoplasty also bears a slight risk of septal perforation but this would not necessitate treatment unless an infection would develop. Decreased sensation or numbness at the nose tip and the upper portion of the mouth especially the front teeth may also occur but would usually dissipate after a month or so. What is unusual is the impairment of the sense of smell.
Be sure to ask the health care provider about how the procedure is done, the length of time needed to recovery and the possible complications and risks that might occur before the surgical procedure in order to make an informed consent.
Similar Posts:
- Study Finds Too Many Surgical Breast Biopsies Performed
- Blocked Nose – Causes, Associated Symptoms and Remedies
- Get scluptured look by doing plastic surgery
- Weighing Risk, Benefit Of Live-Donor Transplant
- Getting Used to Baby’s Inconsistent Sleep
Tags: Deviated Septum, Deviated Septum Symptoms, Septum Symptoms, Treatment