Causes of a Deviated Septum

A deviated septum most commonly occurs after a trauma. An impact such as a blow to the face is a primary cause of a deviated septum. Other causes are congenital disorders as well as difficult childbirth in which the nose becomes compressed.

Sign and Symptoms

The septum of the nose is cartilage and bone that separates the nose into two separate cavities called nostrils. Nasal cartilage is referred to as quadrangular cartilage while the bones of the septum are the Vomer, Ethmoid and the maxillary crest. In a normal presentation, the septum is centrally placed in the nose allowing for the nostrils to appear symmetrical.

With a deviated septum, the top portion of cartilage has a distinct 'lean' together the right or the left. This leaning causes a partial or complete obstruction to the affected nostril. This obstruction often results in poor sinus drainage. Typical patients cite difficulty breathing, bloody noses, headaches and frequent sinus infections as common complaints. More dangerous are the sleep disorders often associated with a deviated septum. Most particularly, sleep apnea in which the patient actually stops breathing for brief periods of time during sleep. This can be fatal in some extreme cases, but mostly lends itself to a difficult and unrestful sleep cycle.

Perhaps the most evident symptom of a deviated septum is snoring. This snoring can be loud enough to wake the patient from a deep sleep and is considering especially aggravating to spouse or partners of snorers. It is important to note that it is not uncommon for the septum to depart from the center line slightly in many people. This is not considered a deviated septum. The shift must be extreme and obstruct one of the nostrils of the patient in order to be considered a deviated septum.

Furthermore a diagnosis of deviated septum must include adverse affects caused by the shift in the septum. Most people that suffer from a deviated septum are unaware of the actual problem. Feeling they simply suffer from sinus infections or snore just 'because' they never seek medical treatment for the underlying cause of their difficulties, a deviated septum.

Treatment

Deviated septums are quite easy to correct with a surgical process called septoplasty. During this procedure, a doctor cuts away and cartiledge or bone matter that is obstructing the nostril. The procedure is done through the nostril, thus no facial incisions are needed. The procedure is short and done on an outpatient basis. In some cases, treatment will consist of managing symptoms as well. For instance, medication to treat a prevent sinus infections or to clear up a 'post nasal' drip will be prescribed to the patient. Through diagnosis and treatment of the deviated septum and its symptoms, the quality of life for the patient and their partners can be increased.

The deviated septum is a difficult condition to diagnose and to deal with. Its symptoms are often dismissed by suffers as just something they have to live with. Upon proper diagnosis of a deviated septum, medical treatment and minor surgery are often able to quickly repair the problem and relieve all the symptoms the patient suffers from.