Inside the nose is the nasal cavity, which is divided into two passages by the nasal septum. The nasal septum is composed of both bone and cartilage and extends from the nostrils to the back of the nose. Usually, the nasal septum is straight, lying about in the middle of the two nostrils. Occasionally, it may be bent (deviated) because of a birth defect or injury and positioned so that one nostril is much smaller than the other. Most people have some minor deviation of the septum so that one nostril is tighter than the other.
Symptoms of a Deviated Septum
A minor deviation usually causes no symptoms. However, if severe, a deviation may block one side of the nose, causing nasal congestion and making a person prone to inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis), particularly if the deviated septum blocks drainage from a sinus into the nasal cavity.
Also, a deviated septum may make a person prone to nosebleeds because of the drying effect of airflow over the deviation. Other symptoms may include facial pain, headaches, and noisy night breathing.
Diagnosis of a Deviated Septum
A doctor's evaluation
Doctors can usually see the deviation during an examination of the face and nose.
Treatment of a Deviated Septum
Usually no treatment
Surgery
A minor deviation usually requires no treatment. A deviated septum that causes breathing problems or causes troublesome symptoms may be surgically repaired. This usually requires a common procedure called septoplasty (septal reconstruction), most often done under general anesthesia as an outpatient. People with symptomatic sleep apnea may find that septoplasty helps their breathing at night.
