Like breathing out of a straw is how some people describe living with a deviated septum. For those with this condition, it can cause disruptive sleep, trouble breathing, facial pain, and even nosebleeds. Typically, the best course of action for a severely deviated septum is surgery. But rumors have circulated like urban scary stories; a deviated septum can return! Let’s see if this is true or not.
Brief Overview of Deviated Septum: Causes, Symptoms, Surgery
Before getting into the aftermath post-surgery, let’s go over just what a deviated septum is exactly.
A deviated septum refers to the thin wall of cartilage and bone between your nasal passages being diverted to one side or another due to force trauma or genetic conditions.
You can typically tell if you have a deviated septum through these symptoms:
- Obstruction of one or both nostrils
- Nosebleeds
- Facial pain
- Noisy, ‘snore-like’ breathing during sleep
- Being unable to sleep unless sleeping on a particular side
- Recurring sinus infections
- Fatigue (due to poor sleep)
Surgery to fix a deviated septum is called ‘septoplasty,’ a medical procedure intended to fix nasal obstruction. It is not cosmetic surgery, and the only way to ‘see’ the results of a septoplasty is through the look of relief on a patient’s face. A trained doctor will first use a scope to detect airflow obstruction. Then, if there is adequate obstruction, perform a septoplasty, a minor procedure with minimal recovery time.
Can a Deviated Septum Return?
As a deviated septum can happen due to external trauma, a repeat injury could cause a septum to deviate. However, the chance of a septum fixed through septoplasty becoming re-deviated on its own is less than 5% and even less when you have an experienced, board-certified doctor like Dr. Daneshrad.
Looking to Sleep and Breathe Soundly?
Are you tired of being tired? Wondering if your nose just makes that noise, or if it may be something deeper? Recently got tackled hard, and now your nose whistles? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a deviated septum. But why be unsure when you can be certain? Call to make an appointment with Dr. Daneshrad at 310-453-6500. He’s happy to help!