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Deviated nasal septum
Will a deviated septum get worse over time?
A deviated nasal septum generally does not worsen over time, as it is often a congenital condition. From birth, the septum develops in a skewed manner, hence the likelihood of it becoming increasingly deviated is not very high, unless significant trauma occurs during growth or later in life, which could exacerbate the deviation. In the case of normal development, the deviation does not worsen. Moreover, with the physiological development of bodily functions, the nasal septum's deviation might actually improve. However, during this period, conditions such as septal effusion and spurs could potentially lead to more severe deviations.
What are the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum?
Nasal septum deviation refers to the condition where the cartilaginous and bony tissue of the nasal septum leans to one side, affecting one or both nasal cavities. Clinically, it primarily presents as nasal congestion. This congestion is unilateral and persistent, or it can be persistent on both sides. Additionally, nosebleeds occur because the mucous membrane on the deviated side is very thin, making it susceptible to bleeding due to friction from the airflow during breathing. Furthermore, the deviated nasal septum can irritate the turbinates, leading to nerve reflex pain and resulting in headaches. Thus, the main symptoms of nasal septum deviation include the ones listed above.
Nasal bone fracture, nasal septum fracture, what kind of injury is this?
What type of injury is a nasal bone fracture and a nasal septum fracture? According to the forensic appraisal regulations concerning the nasal area, there are three situations that can be identified as minor injuries and two situations that can be identified as slight injuries. The three situations for minor injuries are: first, comminuted fracture of the nasal bone; second, linear fracture of the nasal bone where the displacement is very obvious; third, nasal trauma that significantly changes the appearance and function of the nose, which can be identified as a minor injury. The two situations for slight injuries are: first, a simple, nondisplaced nasal bone fracture; second, nasal bleeding after trauma. Therefore, if a nasal bone fracture is combined with a nasal septum fracture, it should be a comminuted fracture and can be identified as a minor injury. If it is solely a nasal septum fracture, it depends on whether it is a comminuted fracture or whether the displacement is obvious. Additionally, the impact of the nasal septum fracture on nasal function must also be considered. Thus, nasal bone fractures and nasal septum fractures require specific analysis based on the details of the injury to determine the type of harm. A slight injury can definitely be determined, but whether it qualifies as a minor injury depends on the specific circumstances.
Does a deviated septum require hospitalization?
The clinical treatment of a deviated nasal septum is primarily through surgical intervention, which involves the removal of the deviated cartilage and bone tissue to correct the structural deviation of the nasal septum. Therefore, hospitalization is required for the surgery, generally for about a week. According to usual procedures, the surgery is performed on the third day, followed by three to four days of intravenous fluid infusion to control and prevent infection. After discharge from the hospital post-surgery, the treatment does not end. Regular follow-up visits to the hospital are necessary to monitor the recovery from nasal mucosal inflammation and to observe the correction of the nasal septum deviation.
Is surgery necessary for a deviated septum?
Nasal septal deviation refers to the situation where the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum lean toward one side of the nasal cavity, representing a structural deviation. However, having just this deviation is insufficient for a complete diagnosis of a deviated septum. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches must also be present to fully diagnose it. Treatment for a nasal septal deviation often involves surgical correction; however, surgery is not necessary for asymptomatic individuals with mere structural deviation. Surgery is opted for cases with structural deviation accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches.
Can a deviated nasal septum cause nosebleeds?
Deviated nasal septum refers to the fracture of the cartilage of the nasal septum, deviating toward one or both nasal cavities. Patients with a deviated nasal septum are prone to bleeding, and this bleeding tends to recur. This is because after the cartilage of the nasal septum deviates toward one side of the nasal cavity, continuous breathing causes the airflow to rub against the protruding nasal mucosal tissue of the deviated side. Additionally, after the deviation, the nasal mucosal tissue itself becomes thinner. Under these conditions, the thinner mucosal tissue at the deviated part is more likely to rupture and get damaged, making it prone to erosion and bleeding, and the blood vessels are also more likely to rupture, leading to bleeding. In summary, a deviated nasal septum can lead to nosebleeds.
Is surgery necessary for a deviated nasal septum?
Nasal septum deviation is a structural abnormality where the cartilage or bone of the nasal septum leans towards one or both sides of the nasal cavities. Clinically, a perfectly vertical nasal septum does not exist; there is always some degree of deviation, but the extent can vary significantly. If nasal septum deviation is accompanied by symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, or even headaches, a sinus CT scan should be conducted to assess the degree of deviation. If the deviation is severe, then surgery is definitely necessary. For cases with no clinical symptoms and only minor deviation, surgery is not required.
Can a deviated nasal septum heal on its own?
The clinical diagnosis of a deviated nasal septum includes two parts. Firstly, there is a structural deviation of the nasal septum, where the cartilage and bone tissues lean towards one side of the nasal cavity. This deviation could appear in various forms, such as S-shaped bends or conical deviations. Secondly, these deviations cause nasal symptoms, such as chronic nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. Both of these symptom parts are required to diagnose a deviated nasal septum, which can then be treated surgically. Since it is known to be a structural deviation, which is mechanical in nature, a deviated nasal septum cannot recover on its own and requires surgical intervention.
How to treat enlarged turbinates and a deviated nasal septum?
For the condition of enlarged turbinates and a deviated nasal septum, we need to understand that these are pathological changes in the anatomical structure of the nose. In dealing with anomalies in the anatomical structure, our first step should be to perform a CT scan, then assess the extent of the enlargement of the turbinates and the deviation of the nasal septum. If the condition is severe, and there are relatively prominent symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches, then we should consider correcting these abnormal structures surgically, by removing these anomalies or correcting the deviated nasal septum or addressing the factors causing the turbinate hypertrophy. If there are no significant symptoms or only minor deviation or enlargement, treatment usually involves medication, primarily nasal sprays such as intranasal corticosteroids. In summary, there are mainly two treatment methods: surgical and medical treatments.
What are the dangers of a deviated septum?
The main harms of a deviated nasal septum include several points, mainly causing uncomfortable symptoms. Firstly, the most common symptom is nasal congestion, which is often unilateral, meaning one side of the nose is blocked depending on the side the septum is deviated towards while the other side remains relatively normal. Severe deviation to one side can cause blocked sensation in the nose, or it can affect both sides leading to bilateral congestion. The type of deviation, such as a simple deviation or an S-shaped one where both the front and back are deviated in different directions, can result in blockage in both nasal passages. Another issue is nosebleeds. Sometimes, the deviated septum can form a sharp edge, making the nasal mucosa fragile or piercing other areas, which can easily cause bleeding. Additionally, it can cause headaches due to the pressure exerted on the concha of the opposite side by the deviated septum. It also leads to conditions like rhinitis and sinusitis because the deviation affects the drainage of the nasal cavities and sinuses, resulting in secondary sinusitis, which causes long-term headaches, discomfort, and a series of sinusitis symptoms.