Nasal congestion on one side? You may have this condition
Are you among the large portion of the population who has a deviated septum? The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone dividing the nostrils. When this isn’t straight, it leads to two different-sized nasal passageways. For some, a deviated septum causes no symptoms. However, other people experience nasal congestion or breathing difficulties.
“In some cases, a deviated septum is visible upon examination,” says Dr. Max Plitt, an otolaryngologist — head and neck surgeon at Advocate Health Care. “But many individuals don’t realize they have the condition, and they may not understand why they’re having trouble breathing out of one nostril, snoring or even experiencing nosebleeds.”
Sometimes a deviated septum is present at birth, while other times it results from trauma to the nose. The most common cause, however, is typical growth and development, during which the septum may lean to one side and narrow the nasal passage.
“We can identify a deviated septum through a physical exam and a nasal endoscopy, a small camera that is placed inside your nasal passages,” Dr. Plitt explains. “In mild cases, symptoms are often manageable with nasal sprays or saline irrigations. For some patients, septoplasty, a surgery involving the reshaping or removal of cartilage and/or bone, along with a turbinate reduction, offers the best relief.”
Dr. Plitt says it’s important to identify other factors that can influence nasal breathing, such as allergies, chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps, during a routine ENT exam, as they can impact the success of surgery. “Having a conversation about goals and placing the patient at the center of decision making is critical when discussing nasal surgery,” he says.
Because most cases of deviated septum develop naturally, there aren’t many ways to prevent it. However, wearing protective gear during sports and avoiding facial trauma can prevent traumatic causes.
Nasal congestion? Allergies? Find the best care for your symptoms: Illinois | Wisconsin
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About the Author
Holly Brenza, health enews contributor, is a public affairs coordinator on the content team at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, Holly enjoys reading, watching the White Sox and Blackhawks, playing with her dog, Bear and running her cats' Instagram account, @strangefurthings.
