Consider Septoplasty to Correct Your Deviated Septum
Are you experiencing difficulty breathing through your nose? If so, it is very possible that you have what is called a deviated septum. Your septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left halves of your nose. When the nasal septum is deviated, one nostril is typically larger than the other, causing the septum to be either crooked or off-center. While this condition is common amongst many people, it still causes severe, uncomfortable symptoms that can only be alleviated through a surgical procedure called septoplasty. In this blog, Breathe Clear will share the causes, symptoms, procedure, and recovery process involved with septoplasty.
Common Causes of a Deviated Septum
A deviated septum may have a few causes. Some deviated septums are genetic, and occur at the time of birth. Other people get deviated septums from physically traumatic life events. Contact sports, like football, soccer, boxing, and hockey, can cause a deviated septum as well as can other injuries to the nose. Some are also caused by injuries from car accidents. Whatever the cause, it is important to make an appointment with an ENT to discuss options for fixing your deviated septum.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms associated with a deviated septum. The most noteworthy is difficulty breathing through the nose. In addition, sinus infections, frequent nosebleeds, congestion, and snoring are common. If these problems seemingly only affect one side of the nose, or affect one side more than the other, it is likely your septum is deviated.
Septoplasty Procedure and Recovery
To determine if a patient has a deviated septum, a doctor will conduct an examination, taking symptoms into account. The medical professionals at Breathe Clear Institute use the CS9300 Sinus CT Scanner to scan patients’ sinuses. The procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that takes place in an operating room. Patients can expect the procedure to last about an hour. General or local anesthesia will be used depending on the severity of the septum. A doctor will use their best judgement to decide which anesthesia is best for you. At Breathe Clear Institute, Dr. Davis uses an endoscopically-assisted approach to straighten the septum. No packing is required. Patients should expect to be recovering from the procedure for up to a week after undergoing septoplasty. However, the overall process and full healing timeline may take some time. It is normal to experience some nasal congestion. In order to aid in the recovery process, patients should avoid blowing their noses. They should keep their head raised to help with swelling and get as much rest as possible. Medications will be prescribed and should be taken as directed by the doctor.
Benefits of Septoplasty
Relieve your pain and discomfort with septoplasty. Many of the benefits of septoplasty include better airflow, resolved nasal congestion, reduced snoring, improved sleep, and less sinus infections.
Get Relief With Breathe Clear Institute
Don’t let your symptoms control your everyday life. If you are experiencing issues with your septum and want to improve your current nasal condition, call Breathe Clear Institute today. We will help you get the relief you need in order to live a better quality of life.