27 Aug What are the consequences of a deviated septum?

Approximately 90 per cent of people have a curvature of the nasal septum

Patients who come to us are often unaware of their deviated nasal septum or the symptoms it can cause. Yet this phenomenon is not at all uncommon. It is estimated that around 90 per cent of people have a more or less pronounced curvature of their nasal septum, which can cause problems with nasal function. You can find out more about the possible consequences and treatment approaches in this article.

What causes a crooked nasal septum?

The so-called Nasal septum - This is the technical term for the nasal septum - divides the inside of the nose into two areas: the right and the left half. It consists of cartilage and bone. It is also lined on both sides with a protective mucous membrane.

There are many reasons for a deviated nasal septum. In most cases, it is congenital. Sometimes it is also caused by the posterior bony and anterior cartilaginous parts growing at different rates. It is also possible that the curvature occurs as a result of an accident or a nasal injury (e.g. unrecognised nasal fracture).

Nasal constrictions often lead to discomfort

In medicine, a distinction is made between two forms of snoring:

If the septum is bent, the nasal passages become narrow. As a result, less air flows through one nostril than the other. As a result, patients often find it harder to breathe - especially during physical exertion.
However, the constriction can also lead to many other symptoms. As people often breathe unconsciously through their mouth due to the lack of air, the mucous membranes in the throat dry out more quickly, which increases susceptibility to respiratory infections. Those affected may suffer more frequently from colds, which can lead to swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose. Due to the curvature of the nasal septum, the viscous mucus produced is more difficult for the body to remove. This can lead to sinusitis more frequently than in other patients, which can even become chronic.
Other symptoms that are often associated with a deviated nasal septum are migraine-like headaches, sleep disorders due to snoring or interrupted breathing, frequent nosebleeds, odour disorders, hackneyed speech or even repeated middle ear infections.

When is therapy necessary?

To determine a possible curvature of the nasal septum, we look at the nose from the outside by looking into the nostrils and lifting the tip of the nose, as well as from the inside using a nasal endoscopy. We can also use a nasal flow measurement to recognise whether there are differences in the airflow when breathing in and out. In some cases, an X-ray examination may also be necessary.

If you only have mild symptoms, we generally recommend treating mucous membrane problems such as a dry nose with salt water rinses, sea salt nasal sprays or ointments. We also recommend increasing the humidity in the room (e.g. using boiling evaporators).

If these measures do not help or if the symptoms have persisted for a long time, an operation is advisable in which we straighten the nasal septum under anaesthetic. This is known as septoplasty.

Your ENT doctor in Frankfurt am Main

If you suffer from the above-mentioned complaints and suspect that you have a deviated septum, then we are your competent partner.

We will examine you in our Practice in Frankfurt and explain to you in detail what options are available to you for resolving the complaints.

Please feel free to make an appointment!

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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