How Do I Know I Have a Deviated Septum?

Imagine lying wide awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because of a stuffy nose. Most people who experience this will blame it on a seasonal allergy, or a nasty bout with a sinus infection.

However, there is a simpler explanation behind your stuffy nose. It is possible you have a deviated septum.

Deviated Septum: More Common Than You Think

The septum is that thin wall that separates your two nostrils. Ideally, the septum should be in a straight line. However, septums do not grow in a completely straight fashion. In fact, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, 80% of people have some sort of deviation in their noses.

Some people are born with this condition. Others get their noses deviated due to an abnormal development or trauma. Most people do not notice this and can lead absolutely normal lives without being affected at all by this condition.

However, there is a difference between a septum that is slightly off-center and one that is severely misaligned. If the deviation is significant enough, one nasal cavity becomes larger than the other, causing an obstruction.

Here are the most common symptoms that you need to watch out for if you have a deviated septum:

Breathing difficulties

Having a deformed septum will make it difficult for the air to pass through your nostrils and lungs. Your nasal cavities will swell and become inflamed, making it even more difficult to breathe.

Poor quality of sleep

A nasal congestion can make it difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep, making you irritable, moody, and unproductive in the morning. What’s even worse is that a deviated septum can lead to a serious sleeping disorder such as sleep apnea.

Decreased sense of taste and smell

A deviated septum can affect your sense of smell, which in turn also influences your ability to taste food. The two senses are so connected that people who have a reduced ability to smell find it hard to distinguish the flavors in their food as well.

Nosebleeds

The nose is lined with many blood vessels that lie vulnerably close to the surface. When the septum is deviated, this lining dries out and becomes irritated to the point that it cracks, causing the nose to bleed.

Get Relief from Your Deviated Septum

If you want a permanent solution to your breathing and sleeping problems, surgery may be your only option. In order to achieve long lasting results and prevent the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation, getting septoplasty done by a Los Angeles sinus doctor can greatly improve your condition.

What Happens During a Septoplasty?

During septoplasty, a Los Angeles sinus doctor will adjust the position of the septum to make it as straight as possible. And because this is an outpatient medical procedure, it is fast and convenient. Depending on the complexity of the condition, a procedure done here at the Los Angeles Sinus Institute can be done within 30 to 60 minutes, and a patient can resume normal activities right after.