Causes of Deviated Nasal Septum

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 23, 2024
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A deviated septum refers to the condition where the cartilage and bone structure of the nasal septum are off to one side or both sides of the nasal cavities, resulting in symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. Clinically, the formation of a deviated septum is commonly caused by trauma. Other factors include congenital and acquired reasons. Congenitally, it may be due to compression during childbirth, and acquired reasons may include conditions like rhinitis or enlarged adenoids, leading to nasal dysfunction. This affects the development of the nasal septum, particularly the uneven growth of the septal cartilage and bones, which results in the deviation of the septum, primarily due to these factors.

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How to relieve a deviated nasal septum?

The decision is mainly based on the severity of the deviation. If it is just a simple nasal septum deviation and not particularly severe, and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, then treatment is not necessary. Most patients may not have clear symptoms, and the deviation is often discovered during a physical examination or through a nasal endoscopy; in such cases, specific medication or surgery is not required. However, if the deviation is particularly severe and accompanied by obvious clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, induced sinusitis, headaches, or nasal bleeding, it is advisable to consider corrective surgery under nasal endoscopy. This procedure is minimally invasive, and the general recovery period is about a week, and the overall results are relatively clear.

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Does a deviated septum require surgery?

First, it is necessary to ascertain the degree of deviation, as a normal person's nasal septum is usually somewhat deviated. It is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department to complete relevant examinations to determine the extent of the deviation, and then decide on the next steps. If the deviation is severe and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and nasal discharge, surgical treatment may be considered. However, for those who do not have symptoms and whose breathing is not affected, surgery is generally not considered. Therefore, the decision should be based on clinical symptoms and the degree of deviation. After surgery, it is important to rest, avoid strenuous activity, keep the area clean and dry, and prevent infection.

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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.

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Can nasal septum deviation be treated under general anesthesia?

Nasal septum deviation refers to the deviation of the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum towards one or both nasal passages, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, blood-tinged nasal discharge or nosebleeds, and headaches. After the deviation of the nasal septum, nasal congestion can cause symptoms of snoring. Surgery for nasal septum deviation or other operations can be performed under general anesthesia. The deviated nasal septum does not affect the state of anesthesia. However, due to the presence of a deviated nasal septum, oral intubation should be chosen instead of nasal intubation during general anesthesia. If nasal intubation is desired, it should be performed on the side with a wider nasal passage. Thus, attention should be paid to the choice of intubation location during surgery under general anesthesia.

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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.