As winter approaches, the dry, crisp Colorado air can make breathing feel uncomfortable, particularly for those with a deviated septum. If you are struggling with symptoms associated with a deviated septum, our team at AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies can help. Read on to learn more about how a deviated septum can impact your well-being, as well as available treatment options to help you breathe easier this winter.

What is a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum is displaced to one side. This issue can be present at birth or can occur due to an injury to the nose.

To best understand what a deviated septum is, it is important to understand the basic anatomy of the nose. Think of your nasal passages as two tunnels that are separated by a wall (your septum). In a deviated septum, the wall is mishappened or pushed to one side, narrowing one tunnel and possibly widening the other. This unevenness can lead to discomfort and/or breathing issues.

Common symptoms of a deviated septum include:

• Trouble breathing through one or both nostrils.
• Frequent nasal congestion.
• Recurring sinus infections.
• Nosebleeds.
• Facial pain and pressure.
• Snoring.

How Does a Deviated Septum Affect Breathing?

In an ideal nose, the nasal septum will run straight down the center, creating two evenly sized nasal passages. In cases of a deviated septum, this wall is crooked or shifted, resulting in uneven nasal pathways. The smaller of the two passages may restrict airflow, making it more difficult to breathe through one side of the nose. This imbalance can disrupt how air flows through the nasal turbinates (nasal structures that help direct and regulate airflow through the nasal passages), resulting in irritation, dryness, or congestion. Blockages can also affect sinus drainage, resulting in a higher risk of sinus infections.

Treatment Options for a Deviated Septum

The treatment for a deviated septum ultimately depends on the severity of symptoms. When possible, it is recommended that patients try to manage their symptoms through non-surgical treatments. If these treatments are not effective, surgical intervention may be required.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

There are a variety of medications available to help manage mild symptoms associated with a deviated septum. Decongestants can reduce swelling in the nasal tissues, while antihistamines can help alleviate allergy symptoms, which can also contribute to swelling in the nasal passages. Nasal corticosteroid sprays can be taken as well to help reduce nasal passage inflammation.

Furthermore, lifestyle modifications such as using a humidifier while you sleep to keep your nasal passages moist and using saline nasal sprays regularly can help ease uncomfortable dryness and other symptoms.

Septoplasty

If non-surgical treatments are not effective or if your symptoms are severe, a surgical treatment such as septoplasty may be beneficial. The purpose of a septoplasty is to straighten the nasal septum by removing or reshaping the cartilage and bone that is causing the deviation. In some cases, it may also be combined with a rhinoplasty. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is typically performed through the nostrils, resulting in no external scarring.

Because it is an outpatient procedure, patients can return home following treatment to heal. Those with a severely deviated septum can experience dramatic improvement in their breathing following this procedure, upgrading their overall quality of life.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms associated with a deviated septum, our facial plastic surgeons at AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies are dedicated to helping you breathe easier. Contact our Denver, Lone Tree, or Castle Rock, CO locations today to schedule a consultation.