Deviated Septum: Symptoms & Causes

Overview

• A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum, the thin wall between the nasal passages, is off to one side.
• It causes one nasal air passage to be smaller, possibly blocking a side of the nose.
• This can reduce airflow, making breathing difficult and sometimes make the nose appear crooked.
• Treatments include medication for swelling and surgery to correct the septum.

Symptoms

• Many have no symptoms and may not realize they have a deviated septum.
• Possible symptoms include:
  • Blockage in one or both nostrils, worsened by colds or allergies.
  • Nosebleeds due to dryness in the nasal septum.
  • Noisy breathing during sleep.
  • Sleeping on one side to ease nighttime breathing.

When to See a Doctor

• Consult a healthcare professional if:
  • A blocked nostril does not clear up with treatment.
  • Frequent nosebleeds occur.

Causes

• Causes include:
  • Condition at birth: Present during fetal development or seen at birth.
  • Injury to the nose: Can result from childbirth, contact sports, rough play, or car accidents.
  • Aging can worsen a deviated septum over time.
  • Swelling/irritation from infections can lead to nasal blockage.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors include:
  • Playing contact sports.
  • Not wearing a seat belt in vehicles.

Complications

• Complications from a severely deviated septum include:
  • Dry mouth from mouth breathing.
  • Disturbed sleep due to nasal breathing difficulty.
  • Repeated nosebleeds from nasal septum dryness.

Prevention

• To prevent nose injuries:
  • Wear a helmet/midface mask in contact sports.
  • Use a seat belt when in a vehicle.

For further reading, consult the Mayo Clinic source directly or related medical publications.