Deviated Septum
The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into two, roughly equal, halves. When the septum is crooked or off-center it is termed a deviated septum. Most people have a deviated septum to some degree but others are more severe and can cause obstruction of nasal airflow.
Patients with a deviated septum may experience symptoms of nasal congestion or stuffiness, recurrent nosebleeds, sinus infections, headache, postnasal drip, chronic mouth breathing, and snoring. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may also be less tolerant of their CPAP machines if they have significant nasal obstruction from a deviated septum.
Initial management of symptoms could include nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase or Rhinocort. These medications can help decrease inflammation or swelling of the nasal cavity. If medications are not effective in reducing symptoms, surgery is the next step in management. The procedure to correct a deviated septum is called a septoplasty and involves removing and straightening the crooked bone and cartilage of the nasal septum.
