What Is a Deviated Nasal Septum?
The thin membrane between the nostrils is called the septum. It is made up of cartilage and bone. When that cartilage or bone becomes damaged or broken and the septum is crooked or misaligned, you have a deviated septum. Sometimes a deviated septum is a birth defect that is not fully understood or treated until close to adulthood.
Symptoms
A deviated septum may not give you any symptoms at all, depending on the extent of the deviation. However, some symptoms may be an indicator that you need to get treatment for your deviated septum. Those symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- One-sided nasal congestion
- Frequent sinus infections
- Nosebleeds
- Snoring
- Headache from Post-nasal drip
If you have more than one of these symptoms, you should be examined for a possible deviated septum.
Treatment
The treatment for a deviated septum is surgery. In surgery, the septum is moved back to an acceptable position. This surgery can be done alone or in conjunction with rhinoplasty. If you only get treatment for the deviated septum, it may be covered by insurance.
If you are ready to get treatment for a deviated septum, contact us today for more information or to schedule your consultation.
