Symptoms of a deviated septum

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 22, 2025
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The symptoms of a deviated nasal septum can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals with a mild deviation might not exhibit any obvious clinical symptoms and are only diagnosed during a physical examination or an endoscopic nasal examination. However, if the deviation is more pronounced, it may cause various symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, nosebleeds, headaches, and dizziness. In some cases, it can also lead to sinusitis, characterized by sudden acute purulent nasal discharge, nasal congestion, headaches, and a reduced sense of smell. Overall, this is a relatively common condition and most patients see good results after timely and standard medical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Manifestations of a deviated nasal septum

Nasal septum deviation is a relatively common otolaryngologic condition, which may present clinical symptoms. The extent of these symptoms largely depends on the degree of the deviation and the individual's personal sensitivity. If the deviation is mild and not severe, it might not show any obvious symptoms and is usually discovered during physical examinations or nasopharyngoscope evaluations. Additionally, it may be accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in the sense of smell. If these clinical symptoms occur, it is necessary to undergo nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans to assess the specific degree of nasal septum deviation. Some patients may require surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Will a deviated septum get worse over time?

A deviated nasal septum generally does not worsen over time, as it is often a congenital condition. From birth, the septum develops in a skewed manner, hence the likelihood of it becoming increasingly deviated is not very high, unless significant trauma occurs during growth or later in life, which could exacerbate the deviation. In the case of normal development, the deviation does not worsen. Moreover, with the physiological development of bodily functions, the nasal septum's deviation might actually improve. However, during this period, conditions such as septal effusion and spurs could potentially lead to more severe deviations.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of a deviated septum

The symptoms of a deviated nasal septum can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals with a mild deviation might not exhibit any obvious clinical symptoms and are only diagnosed during a physical examination or an endoscopic nasal examination. However, if the deviation is more pronounced, it may cause various symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, nosebleeds, headaches, and dizziness. In some cases, it can also lead to sinusitis, characterized by sudden acute purulent nasal discharge, nasal congestion, headaches, and a reduced sense of smell. Overall, this is a relatively common condition and most patients see good results after timely and standard medical treatment.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Does it hurt to remove the stitches from a deviated nasal septum surgery?

Nasal septum deviation is a common surgical procedure in otolaryngology, primarily involving the misalignment of the septal cartilage, which affects the ventilation and drainage of the nasal cavity. This can cause symptoms such as nosebleeds and headaches. Thus, submucous resection of the nasal septum is a routine surgery. Generally, by observing the condition of the wound, if there is no protrusion, tearing, and the alignment is good, it is usually not necessary to stitch. If stitching is done, the stitches are removed after 7 to 8 days. The doctor moistens the nasal cavity with saline, cleaning out any nasal scabs. If pain is a concern, surface anesthesia can be applied using a tetracaine epinephrine cotton swab. Removing the stitches in this way will not be painful. Even without anesthesia, removing stitches feels like a mosquito bite and is not very painful, so there should not be much concern.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with a deviated nasal septum faint?

A simple deviation of the nasal septum generally does not cause people to faint. Common clinical symptoms of a deviated nasal septum include repeated nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds. Some patients may experience headaches, dizziness, and snoring during sleep, but generally, consciousness remains clear without episodes of fainting. If fainting occurs, it is necessary to investigate other potential issues, such as fluctuations in blood pressure, low blood sugar, or problems related to blood vessels or nerves in the head. It is generally advised to first consult with a neurology department to investigate the specific causes of the fainting. If the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, considering surgery might be an option.