A Deviated Septum Guide: Deviated Septum FAQs
what is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum is a condition that affects the nasal septum and affects our breathing. Our nasal septum is the dividing wall between the left and right sides of our nose and is made of bone and cartilage.
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In someone with a deviated septum, the septum is crooked or off center (usually significantly). it can be diverted to the left, to the right or in an s-shape. this usually results in a number of complications that can range from annoying to life-altering. Some imbalance in the size of our airways is completely normal, but severe imbalances (especially those that cause breathing problems) are cause for concern.
can a septal perforation cause a deviated septum?
Not really. a proper septum piercing pierces the fleshy membranous piece between the nostrils, not the actual cartilage of the nose.
Is a deviated septum painful?
could be! more than anything, deviated septa are uncomfortable, they can make your daily life difficult.
what causes a deviated septum?
A deviated septum can have several causes. in some cases one is born with a deviated septum as it forms during fetal development, but in many other cases a deviated septum can develop during an injury such as a fall, sports injury, car accident, or blow as a child, adolescent, or adult . .
Anyone at any age can experience an injury causing a deviated septum. Babies, for example, can be injured during childbirth, and their injuries cause a deviated septum. Adults are at risk for a wide range of traumatic accidents (such as falls, violent assaults, and car accidents) that can cause a deviated septum.
- A deviated septum can worsen over time as a person ages; normal aging processes affect the nose, including the septum and nostrils.
- medications to reduce swelling:
- intranasal steroids (i.e. flonase, nasacort, etc.)
- antihistamines (i.e. claritin, zyrtec, etc.)
- decongestants (i.e., sudafed or phenylephrine-based pills)
- nasal dilators or breath-rite strips to open the nostrils
- nasal rinses
- new procedures are under development; some people can have balloon septoplasty or partial septoplasty in the office and avoid the actual surgery
- Most patients make a full recovery in 2-3 weeks and return to work 3-5 days after surgery; additionally, there is no external bruising or swelling with simple deviated septum repair
- Septorhinoplasty patients heal in 3 to 6 weeks but return to work in 7 to 10 days after surgery; external bruising and swelling may last up to 3 weeks
- some patients may experience numbness near the tip of the nose and mild loss of smell; this always returns to normal within 1-2 months
- Exercise after septoplasty is fine after 7-10 days and after septorhinoplasty after 3 weeks.
- Can a deviated septum cause a runny nose? yes, it can cause a runny nose and postnasal drip, which are common symptoms of a deviated septum. deviated septa also tend to cause nasal congestion and shortness of breath
- can a deviated septum cause nosebleeds? yes; when the surface of the nasal septum dries out, it can lead to nosebleeds
- Can a deviated septum cause plugged ears? deviated septa can cause the ears to fill and negatively impact middle ear ventilation
- Does a deviated septum cause bad breath? can! especially if your breathing patterns are affected where you are constantly mouth breathing
- can a deviated septum cause headaches? yes, usually on one side
- Does a deviated septum cause snoring? often, yes. it is common for deviated septa to cause snoring. Many people experience noisy breathing and snoring while sleeping with a deviated septum; but remember, just because you don’t snore, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a deviated septum
do nasal strips help with a deviated septum?
they can! it depends on your individual circumstances. Many people benefit from using nasal strips to lift and open inflamed nasal and sinus passages.
what is deviated septum surgery?
deviated septum surgery is formally known as septoplasty. A surgeon works through the inside of a patient’s nose to create a small incision in the septum. Once the incision is made, the surgeon can remove or reshape excess cartilage or bone to level the breathing spaces in both the nostrils and nostrils.
More often during deviated septum surgery, your surgeon will also address any turbinate swelling, valve collapse, or sinus issues that may be present to maximize your breathing through both nasal passages.
Some patients may also choose to change the external appearance of their nose or repair any cosmetic deformities during deviated septum surgeries. this is called rhinoplasty. You may have heard that rhinoplasties are known as nose jobs. These help improve the outer appearance of the nose. the entire procedure is known as a septorhinoplasty.
can a deviated septum return after surgery?
In the hands of the most skilled and excellent surgeons, the chance of rerouting the septum is less than 3-5% without subsequent trauma to the nose. however, up to 25% of patients report that nasal congestion or obstruction develops again after deviated septum surgery. This is because congestion can often be due to causes other than structural problems associated with the nose. these causes include severe allergies and/or severe inflammation due to irritants (ie, smoking, vaping, vapors, etc.) or chronic sinusitis. therefore, it is not that a deviated septum can return after surgery, but rather that one’s symptoms may persist (or return) after surgery.
how much does deviated septum surgery cost with insurance?
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Deviated septum surgery without insurance coverage typically ranges from $4,000 to $6,000, if one does not also have rhinoplasty. With insurance, one’s copays and deductibles decide the actual cost to the patient; therefore, it could be completely free or a nominal cost of $500 to $2,500.
how long does deviated septum surgery take?
Septoplasties generally last from 30 to 60 minutes. They are not especially long surgeries. if a rhinoplasty is combined with the procedure, it can take between 90 and 180 minutes in total.
how long does someone’s nose bleed after deviated septum surgery?
You will receive a drip pad to help collect blood that drips from your nose after deviated septum surgery. it may ooze up to 2 or 3 days after surgery, but heavy bleeding should prompt you to call your doctor.
how long does it take to recover from deviated septum surgery?
Recovery time after deviated septum surgery depends on a few factors.
Can a deviated septum be corrected without surgery? How can a deviated septum be helped without surgery?
There are some alternatives to septoplasty that can help someone relieve the symptoms of a deviated septum or nasal obstruction. nasal steroids and allergy medications may help some people; others use nasal strips or nasal irrigation to try to open their nostrils.
can a deviated septum cause snoring or sleep apnea?
It is a very common cause of snoring and snoring can definitely be relieved in volume and severity with deviated septum repair. however, it is unlikely to cure sleep apnea. This is a common mistake. What a deviated septum can do is make your sleep apnea worse or more difficult to treat.
What other problems does a deviated septum cause?
People have a lot of questions about the effects of a deviated septum, so…
dr. alen cohen of the sinus institute of southern california can help you with your deviated septum
if you have a deviated septum and want to relieve your symptoms, dr. alen cohen of the sinus institute of southern california can help. Contact us today to speak with someone about your circumstances.
dr. Cohen is recognized year after year as one of the best deviated septum surgeons in Los Angeles. He is the founder and director of Los Angeles’ premier nose and sinus center, the Sinus Institute of Southern California serving the greater Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and Ventura County areas. the sinus institute of southern california was founded in 2009 by dr. cohen and specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of patients with all nasal and sinus disorders, including nasal obstruction, deviated septum, hypertrophic turbinates, environmental allergies, acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and of the paranasal sinuses, recurring severe and debilitating sinus infections, and sinus headaches.
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how do you know if you have a deviated septum?
You may notice certain signs or symptoms that indicate you have a deviated septum. Below, we’ve addressed some of the more common symptoms that a deviated septum can cause. you can refer there to learn more about the signs of a deviated septum.
You may also experience increased facial pain and awareness of the nasal cycle. Our noses regularly alternate being clogged to one side or the other, but with a deviated septum, this process (called the nasal cycle) can become very obvious.
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here’s the problem: many septal deformities do not create symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, most of them don’t. this can make it difficult to recognize a deviated septum when it occurs.
can a deviated septum make it worse?
For some people, a deviated septum changes over time. The natural aging that occurs on our faces and noses has the potential to make a deviated septum worse. Even if someone’s literal deviated septum doesn’t get worse, they may experience changing or worsening symptoms.
Does insurance cover deviated septum repair?
Yes, most insurances will cover deviated septum repair if it involves changing the interior of the nose solely for functional or breathing reasons without changing the exterior or cosmetic appearance of the nose. however, the best way to find out the answer to this question is to contact your insurance provider. however, septoplasty is one of the most commonly covered procedures by many insurances. It is often considered medically necessary due to its ability to cause sleeping and breathing problems, sinus infections, and sinus headaches. for insurance to cover the procedure, patients generally must have failed use of intranasal steroid sprays (i.e., flonase, nasacort, etc.), antihistamines (i.e., claritin, zyrtec, etc.), nasal rinses, and decongestants (ie sudafed, etc.). /p>
how can a deviated septum be fixed? Can a deviated septum heal on its own?
It is impossible for a deviated septum to heal on its own. however, treatment for a deviated septum varies depending on the circumstances and the severity of the deviated septum. Depending on the severity of the deviated septum, they may be candidates for a minor in-office procedure to repair it, often called a partial septoplasty, which can be performed under local anesthesia. For more common and severe cases, a small outpatient surgery is the best way to repair it under general anesthesia.
Other steps most doctors recommend patients take before undergoing surgery include:
