Deviated Nasal Septum
While a deviated septum is commonly associated with symptoms such as excessive snoring, it is also not unusual that nosebleeds, sore throats, and other problems can also result from this condition. Our providers provide the level of expertise, skill, and knowledge you need for effective septoplasty/deviated septum treatments.
How can Septoplasty treat nasal blockage and a Deviented Septum?
Your nose has what is called a nasal septum, which is a thin cartilage and bone wall that separates the nostrils. Typically the nasal septum is straight, but when it deviates, the wall between the nostrils becomes crooked. The net result is very often a high degree of pain and discomfort for those patients afflicted with this condition, and sleep apnea, snoring, breathing problems and other issues are the result. Septoplasty, or submucous resection of the septum, is a form of septal reconstruction surgery, which is conducted to straighten the septum, so it is no longer deviated or crooked, and so a patient’s nasal airways are no longer obstructed. It is not uncommon for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis to undergo this procedure, which allows for nasal polyps to be removed.
Can a Deviated Septum affect my health?
Nasal obstruction can be caused by a crooked septum, also known as a deviated septum, and depending on the severity of the deviation and its location, symptoms such as a sore throat, snoring, sinusitis, nasal pain, dry mucous membranes, postnasal drip, decreased taste and smell, headaches, nose bleeding and difficulty breathing can all lower your overall quality of life as a result of nasal obstruction. Turbinates that are enlarged can often be the cause of septum deviations, and your symptoms can worsen due to infections, allergies or smoke. If you suffer from nasal obstruction symptoms, then schedule a consultation with Michigan ENT and Allergy Specialists to have your upper airway expertly examined.
How is a Deviated Septum treated?
When treating a deviated septum issue non-surgically, the improvement of your symptoms is the main objective. The use of saline sprays to promote nasal humidification, antibiotics, nasal steroids that are inhaled, decongestants, as well as limiting contact with allergens, in addition to the use of ointments and steroids, are all non-surgical treatment methods. The goal of deviated septum surgery is straightening your cartilage and bone so that the wall between your nostrils is straight. In addition, the only way to make your nose look better if you have a cosmetic deformity caused by a deviated septum is by straightening your septum through deviated septum surgery.
What is Septoplasty?
Sometimes it is necessary to alter the nasal septum’s shape with septoplasty, which is a surgical procedure designed to relieve problems and symptoms caused by nasal obstruction. Depending on your unique symptoms, septoplasty can be done as an open procedure by utilizing tiny incisions inside your nose with either general or local anesthesia. It is typically performed on an outpatient basis. We perform septoplasty endoscopically so we can open up your nasal airway without breaking the nasal bones themselves, although if it is required, it is possible to perform sinus surgery at the same time. Patients experience minimal pain or discomfort, and “black eyes” don’t occur as a result of your procedure. Because enlargement of the turbinates often occurs when you have a septum deviation, we will also reduce turbinates in size when your septoplasty is performed.
You may experience a certain amount nasal congestion and swelling following your surgery. For blockage prevention and to allow the straight healing of the newly shaped septum, packing of the nasal cavity might be required. This is also done to prevent bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin or drugs and herbs that could result in excess bleeding should be avoided prior to your surgery. Complications resulting from this procedure are uncommon; however, it is important for you to go over any possible side effects with our providers. Your nasal airflow should improve during the three to six weeks following your surgery. Schedule a consultation now with Michigan ENT and Allergy Specialists, and we will discuss your options for nasal obstruction and deviated septum treatment.
Benefits of Septoplasty
Do you have a deviated septum or are you chronically suffering from any of the following conditions? If so then the benefits of septoplasty may be right for you, particularly if you experience:
- Snoring
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent Nosebleeds
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Sinus headaches and facial pain.
- Airway blockage affecting breathing
- Topical steroid sprays or topical antihistamines generally provide only temporary relief from these symptoms, and while infections can be treated temporarily with antibiotics, septoplasty is a very effective and simple way to eliminate symptoms attributable to a deviated septum.
Is Septoplasty right for me?
Septoplasty can help you if you’re having trouble breathing due to a deviated septum you’ve had since birth, or due to a septal trauma event. If you believe your overall quality of life will be improved, then septoplasty may be right for you when it comes to fixing aesthetic and breathing problems with your nose.
Even if you do not snore, a deviated septum can induce symptoms of a sore throat, postnasal drip, nosebleeds and other challenging issues. Since a deviated septum is debilitating to regular breathing, you may also be experiencing lower energy levels overall. Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists offers septoplasty/deviated septum treatments to help. Contact our office today to schedule your personal consultation.