Is the deviation of the nasal septum severe?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 22, 2024
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Deviated nasal septum is generally not too severe. Overall, its harm to health is not significant. Whether a deviated nasal septum is serious depends on individual differences, and one should primarily examine the specific condition inside the nasal cavity. If the degree of deviation is not severe and there are no clinical manifestations, it generally does not require specific treatment, mainly regular reviews to observe any changes. However, if the deviation is quite pronounced and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, or nosebleeds, it may be necessary to consider surgical correction. Currently, the main approach is minimally invasive surgery using an endoscope, and the overall results are quite definitive.

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

The treatment of a deviated nasal septum primarily depends on the severity of the condition. If it is a minor deviation without noticeable clinical symptoms, most people can simply be observed and may not require specific treatment. However, if the deviation is significant and accompanied by clinical symptoms, such as frequent poor nasal ventilation, particularly blocked nostrils on the deviated side, as well as possible nosebleeds or headaches, surgery might be considered. Currently, corrective surgery for a deviated nasal septum under endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. Although there are certain risks associated with the surgery, the overall risk is not high. After surgical treatment, most patients are able to recover normally.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can a deviated nasal septum be inherited?

Nasal septal deviation is not hereditary. The main causes of nasal septal deviation are due to different growth rates of the nasal septal cartilage in patients during infancy and adolescence, which leads to tension-induced deviation, or due to local trauma caused by impact, resulting in deviation of the patient's nasal septum. For the symptoms mentioned above, they mainly cause nasal congestion, headaches, nosebleeds, and other related conditions. The primary treatment method for patients with nasal septal deviation involves the submucosal removal of cartilage under functional endoscopy, in order to correct the deviated parts of the patient's nasal septum. This is done with the goal of restoring normal airflow in the nasal passages and alleviating contact headaches.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What are the dangers of a deviated septum?

The main harms of a deviated nasal septum include several points, mainly causing uncomfortable symptoms. Firstly, the most common symptom is nasal congestion, which is often unilateral, meaning one side of the nose is blocked depending on the side the septum is deviated towards while the other side remains relatively normal. Severe deviation to one side can cause blocked sensation in the nose, or it can affect both sides leading to bilateral congestion. The type of deviation, such as a simple deviation or an S-shaped one where both the front and back are deviated in different directions, can result in blockage in both nasal passages. Another issue is nosebleeds. Sometimes, the deviated septum can form a sharp edge, making the nasal mucosa fragile or piercing other areas, which can easily cause bleeding. Additionally, it can cause headaches due to the pressure exerted on the concha of the opposite side by the deviated septum. It also leads to conditions like rhinitis and sinusitis because the deviation affects the drainage of the nasal cavities and sinuses, resulting in secondary sinusitis, which causes long-term headaches, discomfort, and a series of sinusitis symptoms.

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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 treated. Firstly, it is necessary to examine the degree of deviation and the clinical symptoms. If it is a simple deviation with mild severity and no related clinical symptoms, this condition generally does not require special treatment and regular follow-ups are sufficient. However, if the deviation is severe and accompanied by corresponding clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, dizziness, and nosebleeds, surgery may be considered to correct the deviation. Generally, after surgical correction, the deviated nasal septum can be cured.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can a deviated nasal septum be manually adjusted by hand?

A deviated nasal septum cannot be manually adjusted, as the site of deviation is deep within the nasal cavity and thus inaccessible by hand. A deviated nasal septum is a common and frequent condition encountered in otolaryngology. It mainly results from abnormal nasal septum development during the embryonic stage or from postnatal trauma to the nasal septum and pressure from nasal tumors causing the septum to deviate to one side. After developing a deviated nasal septum, the patient may experience continuous, progressive nasal congestion, as well as facial swelling, pain, and headaches among other symptoms. In severe cases, the deviation may lead to complications such as sinusitis and nasal polyps, which can be diagnosed with an endoscopic examination and sinus CT scan at a hospital. In terms of treatment, minor deviations of the nasal septum do not require intervention. However, if associated symptoms are present, localized surgical correction may be necessary and can be curative.