These symptoms of septal deviation are often not realized

Septal deviation is a condition where the thin wall that separates the two nostrils is not right in the middle. The wall (septum) is made of hard cartilage and bone. In people who experience septal deviation, the nose can be seen to bend, or tend to tilt. Nostrils become not as large, one will be wider than the other nostrils. At first glance, this septal deviation does not seem disturbing. However, there are a number of disorders that may be caused and can affect health.

Recognizing Symptoms of Disorders Due to Septum Deviation

Some people have experienced septal deviation from birth. This can be related to the deviation of fetal development while in the womb, which then causes conditions that are more apparent when the baby is born. However, many also experience septal deviation after adulthood, such as due to an accident or injury to the nose. Interestingly, not everyone realizes that he experienced this. In order to know more about this condition, you can recognize through the following symptoms:

• Always sleep facing one side

That habit might indicate you have a septal deviation. The condition of your nostrils is narrow, so you tend to sleep facing on a certain side. Generally this is done so that you can breathe more freely while sleeping, using a wider nostril.

• Headaches and pain in the face

Nasal septum conditions that are not right in the middle, can affect the inner nasal wall. This might cause headaches or facial pain. So, when you experience headaches accompanied by facial pain that has no known cause, try to see a doctor to ask about the possibility of septal deviation.

• Nasal congestion

Patients with septal deviation often experience complaints of nasal congestion. This blocked part can be one or both nostrils, and makes breathing rather difficult through the nose. This complaint is especially felt when sufferers experience symptoms of flu or colds. Allergy and other upper respiratory tract infections (ARI) can also worsen complaints of septal deviation. The occurrence of tissue swelling in the nose during inflammation due to the causes above, causing the nasal cavity to narrow, so that the flow of breath is disrupted.

• Nosebleed

In patients with septal deviation, the nose tends to be dry. This condition can increase the risk of nosebleeds.

• Sound when you sleep

Deviation of the septum can cause sufferers to make sounds during sleep, such as snoring. This condition is not only experienced in adults with septal deviation, but also infants and children.

Adverse Effects of Septum Deviation

One of the bad effects of septal deviation is the narrow nostril, so that the flow of air in and out changes. The air is blocked from entering and going out through narrow nostrils. This can cause the surface of the septum tissue inside the nose to become dry. In the end, this condition will make sufferers become nosebleed easily. Another adverse effect of septal deviation is blocked sinus openings. This is what can cause sufferers to experience sinusitis. This condition can occur repeatedly and difficult to cure.

How to Overcome Septum Deviation

To confirm the diagnosis of septal deviation, the doctor will ask about your symptoms. Then the doctor will examine the nose with a special tool that is a nasal speculum inserted in the nostril, to expand the field of view of the nose examination. If the facilities are adequate, the doctor may use a fiber optic camera (like an endoscope) to take pictures and assess the condition of the inside of the nose more clearly. Some types of drugs can be given by a doctor to deal with the disturbing symptoms. For example, decongestants which help reduce swelling or antihistamines which can reduce allergic reactions. Other drug choices are nasal spray containing corticosteroids. If the symptoms due to septal deviation do not improve, then a nose surgery can be considered, ie septoplasty. This operation will strengthen the nasal bones and improve the flow of air entering. Septal deviation often appears unnoticed. If there are symptoms that indicate possible deviation of the septum, immediately see a general practitioner or ENT doctor for proper treatment.