The nasal septum is the bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. The bone and cartilage are protected by a unique membrane called a mucous membrane, which contains numerous blood vessels and serves as a protective layer.
Ideally, the size of the right and left nasal passages is equivalent. However, it is believed that up to 80% of the population has a nasal septum that is not in the center. This is known as a deviated septum, and it may or may not induce symptoms depending on the severity of the deviation.
It's difficult to breathe through the nose when one side of the septum is substantially deviated or crooked; this difficulty is most common. In some instances, a deviated septum can impede nasal drainage and lead to recurrent sinus infections. You may notice some or all of the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties in one or both of the nostrils
- Nosebleeds
- Nasal infections
- Loud breathing during sleep in newborns and teenagers
- Mouth breathing during sleep in adults
The septum can become deviated or bent as a result of an injury or trauma to the nose. But a deviated septum can happen to people who have grown and developed normally and who have never been hurt or had a broken nose.
Deviated septums can be corrected by septoplasty, a surgical procedure that is the most commonly used. Because of the ongoing process of face growth and development, this operation is rarely practiced on young children unless the condition is really severe. Septoplasty is a surgical technique that is typically performed through the nostrils, resulting in no visible bruising or signs of surgery; however, each case is unique, and special techniques may be needed depending on the patient.
Pros of Deviated Septum Surgery
Surgical correction of a deviated septum is a highly effective way to enhance breathing. A septoplasty, or septal surgery, may be a good option for you if you have difficulty breathing from one side of your nose.
It is crucial to notice that the side of the nostril where the septum turns is oftentimes the side that causes the trouble breathing, despite being the wider side. This is because your nose contains structures known as turbinates. The air in your nose is heated and humidified by these structures, which resemble hot dogs and are positioned on both sides of your nose.Â
Those who suffer from allergies or who reside in cities such as Houston, where the air quality is less than ideal, may notice an increase in the size of their turbinates. Compensatory hypertrophy occurs when the larger side of the turbinate swells to fill in the additional space caused by a deviated septum. If we only move the septum back to the middle, that side of the turbinates will still be broader than the other side, which will make it hard to breathe. In this scenario septoplasty executed along with the turbinate surgery is required to resolve both problems.
Cons of Deviated Septum Surgery
In the majority of individuals with a severely deviated septum, correcting the septum should resolve breathing issues. Even if it does not completely address the problem, we may see a 70 to 80%Â progress to the point where you no longer notice that one side is significantly worse than the other.
The disadvantage of septoplasty is that nasal blockage is a matter of personal preference. Numerous variables affect like our breathing pattern and what we interpret to be obstructed breathing. A patient's level of nasal occlusion may not be directly related to the degree of deviation in the septum.
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