Do You Have A Deviated Septum?
If you have symptoms of a deviated septum, the first thing you need to do is visit your doctor and get a concrete diagnosis. The doctor will examine the inside of your nose with a bright light or a nasal speculum to spread your nostrils. They may also look farther back into your nose with a scope. After applying a decongestant spray, they may also inspect your nasal tissues. Based on the exam, your doctor can tell you if you have a deviated septum and how serious it is. If you did not visit an ear nose, and throat doctor, you may be referred to a specialist for treatment.
You Might Have A Deviated Septum If…
Some people have a deviated septum and never know it. If it doesn’t cause problems, there is no reason to seek treatment. But for many, they will have difficulty breathing through their nose, recurrent sinus infections, nosebleeds, nasal congestion, sleep problems and snoring, among other issues. This can cause individuals to seek treatment for their symptoms.
Managing Your Symptoms For A Comfortable Life
If your deviated septum isn’t too bad, you may be able to manage it in a variety of manners. Even if you need a permanent solution, initial treatment will probably be one of these three items.
Decongestants
Decongestants reduce nasal tissue swelling to keep your airway open on both sides of your nose. They come in a pill or spray form.
Antihistamines
These medications help to prevent allergy symptoms, which can worsen a deviated septum by causing obstructions and runny noses. They can also help with conditions that come with a common cold.
Nasal Steroid Sprays
You might be prescribed sprays that can reduce drainage and inflammation. This solution will take 1-3 weeks to reach its highest effect.
Fixing A Deviated Septum With Surgery
Medications can treat swollen tissue, but they won’t correct the deviated septum. If your symptoms are bad enough, you may want to consider surgery. The level of improvement you will see depends on the severity of your issue. Symptoms can often be completely resolved.
Preparing To Repair A Deviated Septum
You may start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner, but you will likely want to end up with a specialist in the ear, nose, and throat field. The time you get with your doctor will be limited so it’s a good idea to prepare questions in advance so you can make the most of your time. You will want to get details on the obstruction you face as well as what they plan to do to fix it. Will they reshape your nose during the process or simply fix the deviated septum itself?
Get Together With Breathe Clear Institute
The best angle to play is to visit with the staff at Breathe Clear Institute to find out if you have a deviated septum and what you should do about it. We will examine you, diagnose you, and go over the options in detail to get you the help you need.