What happens if you have a deviated septum

We'll always use the most conservative, effective treatment option. And we're keeping our eye on other, cutting-edge technologies. For example, a pain-free, non-invasive alternative procedure recently passed clinical trials. Of course, headaches, breathing difficulty, nosebleeds, sinusitis, and blocked nasal passages could be caused by any number of ear, nose, or throat conditions.

It's important to get an accurate diagnosis so we can find the best way to correct the problem. This may require a nasal endoscopy or CT scan. In most cases, the only way to stop suffering for good is to make an appointment. And you should! You deserve to breathe the way Mother Nature intended. Same Day Appointments: Request Appointment. If you were born with a deviated nasal septum, you might not know what it feels like to experience trouble-free breathing.

The condition seems minor enough, but it can cause a domino effect of symptoms and trouble capable of impacting your total-body health. What is it? It's a condition occurring when the wall between nasal passages tilts to one side.

This makes one nostril larger than the other. The smaller nostril can become blocked, leading to reduced airflow, difficulty breathing, headaches and a host of other problems. You can be born with a deviated septum or it could be the result of trauma, such as a car accident or a sports injury.

Typically, a deviated nasal septum has no relevant health implications; however, if the nasal septum is significantly crooked or off-center, this may necessitate a deviated septum repair Los Angeles.

A deviated nasal septum may manifest as frequent nosebleeds from the nasal septum because its surface is frequently dry. This is common, especially when the nasal septum deviation overexposes a portion of your nose.

Nasal septum deviation may be associated with one-sided facial pain, especially if the deviation leads to increased pressure on one of the nostrils. Another common indicator of nasal septum deviation is nasal obstruction, especially at night. Nasal obstruction leads to difficulty in breathing. The nasal obstruction is exacerbated by a cold and may cause one to sleep facing a particular side to optimize breathing. Milder forms of nasal obstruction may manifest as a nasal obstruction cycle where the blockage occurs alternately between the two nostrils and depends on the supine position one lies.

Snoring when sleeping can be linked to a deviated nasal septum. A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum — the thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passages — is displaced to one side. Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to be moved out of position. In infants, such an injury may occur during childbirth.

In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, rough play such as wrestling or automobile accidents. Swelling and irritation of the nasal cavities or sinus cavities because of an infection can further narrow the nasal passage and result in nasal obstruction.

For some people, a deviated septum is present at birth — occurring during fetal development or due to injury during childbirth. After birth, a deviated septum is most commonly caused by an injury that moves your nasal septum out of place. Risk factors include:. You may be able to prevent the injuries to your nose that can cause a deviated septum with these precautions:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. When half of your nose is blocked, the result is often nasal congestion and inflammation that makes it hard for your sinuses to drain. This can lead to repeat sinus infections and other symptoms, such as postnasal drip, that may be mistaken for colds or allergy-driven issues.

And if you have allergies, a deviated septum can significantly worsen your nasal symptoms. The congestion associated with a deviated nasal septum can cause stuffiness and often debilitating headaches related to the pressure building in your sinuses. A deviated septum can cause loud snoring and make it difficult for you and your household to remain asleep. It can also contribute to sleep apnea, a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep.

At Houston Sinus Surgery, when conservative treatment with nasal sprays and other medications fail, we offer septoplasty to correct the alignment and function of your nasal septum. Yeung and requires no external incisions.