Can a deviated nasal septum cause nosebleeds?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Deviated nasal septum refers to the fracture of the cartilage of the nasal septum, deviating toward one or both nasal cavities. Patients with a deviated nasal septum are prone to bleeding, and this bleeding tends to recur. This is because after the cartilage of the nasal septum deviates toward one side of the nasal cavity, continuous breathing causes the airflow to rub against the protruding nasal mucosal tissue of the deviated side. Additionally, after the deviation, the nasal mucosal tissue itself becomes thinner. Under these conditions, the thinner mucosal tissue at the deviated part is more likely to rupture and get damaged, making it prone to erosion and bleeding, and the blood vessels are also more likely to rupture, leading to bleeding. In summary, a deviated nasal septum can lead to nosebleeds.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum?

Nasal septum deviation refers to the condition where the cartilaginous and bony tissue of the nasal septum leans to one side, affecting one or both nasal cavities. Clinically, it primarily presents as nasal congestion. This congestion is unilateral and persistent, or it can be persistent on both sides. Additionally, nosebleeds occur because the mucous membrane on the deviated side is very thin, making it susceptible to bleeding due to friction from the airflow during breathing. Furthermore, the deviated nasal septum can irritate the turbinates, leading to nerve reflex pain and resulting in headaches. Thus, the main symptoms of nasal septum deviation include the ones listed above.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is the deviated nasal septum bone removed directly?

A deviated nasal septum refers to the cartilage or bone of the nasal septum being skewed towards one or both sides of the nasal cavities, leading to a series of symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. Surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum is usually carried out under nasal endoscopy. The surgery involves the removal of the deviated cartilage and bone tissue while preserving the mucosa. Since the mucosa is straight, this corrects the deviated nasal septum, thereby clearing the nasal passages. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches can be effectively alleviated through surgery, so for severe cases of deviated nasal septum, surgical removal is often adopted.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to correct a deviated nasal septum?

Currently, the correction of a deviated nasal septum is mainly done through surgery. However, for some patients, if the deviation is mild and without symptoms, surgery may not be necessary. Surgery for deviated nasal septum is considered only if the deviation is severe and accompanied by significant clinical symptoms. Presently, minimally invasive surgery under endoscopy, which may involve partial removal of cartilage or septal cartilage reshaping, is a common procedure in otolaryngology. The results are generally reliable and, although there are risks, they are not considered excessively high. Typically, tertiary hospitals with an otolaryngology department can perform this surgery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can a deviated nasal septum be cured?

A deviated nasal septum can be cured. Firstly, a deviated nasal septum generally arises congenitally or from trauma, leading to the deviation. Most patients have cartilage deviation, and a small portion have bony deviation. In terms of treatment, firstly it is necessary to evaluate the degree of deviation and the clinical symptoms. If it is just a minor deviation without significant clinical manifestations, treatment may not be necessary, and regular check-ups will suffice. However, if the clinical symptoms are noticeable and the degree of deviation is severe, then surgical correction should be considered. Currently, considering endoscopic septoplasty can achieve a cure.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Deviated nasal septum has symptoms such as:

Symptoms caused by a deviated nasal septum vary widely, with some people experiencing predominantly one symptom, while others may have several symptoms simultaneously. The most common symptom is nasal congestion, which can be unilateral or bilateral, depending on the type and degree of the septal deviation. If the deviation affects both sides of the nasal cavity, bilateral congestion occurs; if it affects only one side, unilateral congestion occurs. Another symptom is recurrent nosebleeds, which may be related to a protrusion formed by the deviation, causing the mucous membrane at that location to be thin and prone to erosion and bleeding. Additionally, headaches can occur due to the nasal septum deviation irritating the nasal nerve. Other symptoms include those of secondary conditions such as a runny nose and mouth breathing.