Your septum is a thin wall made of bone and cartilage that separates your two nostrils. If this part of your nose becomes crooked or off center, this is known as a deviated septum. Although most people’s septum isn’t perfectly centered, a deviated septum is used to refer to individuals whose septum is severely shifted away from its midline.

When your septum isn’t in the correct place, one side of your nostril becomes narrower. This can make breathing difficult, illnesses more severe, and cause a variety of other problems.

This condition can be present at birth or develop during growth. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury, broken nose, or other type of trauma. More often than not, a deviated septum has no symptoms. In fact, a large number of people live with a deviated septum and don’t even know they have it! For these individuals, intervention is rarely required since they experience little to no symptoms.

On the other hand, many people who suffer from a deviated septum are at a heightened risk for the following:

• Nasal congestion

• Frequent headaches

• Migraines

• Stuffiness

• Frequent nosebleeds

• Frequent sinus infections

• Chronic post-nasal drip

• Snoring

• Disrupted sleep

• Sleep apnea

Most commonly, people with a deviated septum have difficulty breathing that is usually worse on one side- typically opposite that of the bend.

A deviated septum is an extremely common condition, and can often be treated with medication like decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal sprays. For more severe cases, there are a variety of minimally invasive procedures like Balloon Sinuplasty, Endoscopic Septoplasty, Turbinate Reduction, or Soft Palate Tightening (UPPP). These procedures are performed in-office, usually with minimal recovery time and excellent results.

It’s best to have your condition evaluated by a specialist who can recommend the best course of treatment for your specific case. For more information on deviated septums or other sinus issues, call Marvel at 931-313-2031.