Does a deviated septum require hospitalization?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What should I do if a deviated nasal septum causes nosebleeds?

Nasal bleeding caused by a deviated nasal septum requires active hemostasis treatment. During the period of nasal bleeding, the deviated area of the nasal septum often forms a protrusion, making one side thinner and more severely deviated, forming a bony spur with a sharp point. The mucosa at this point is thinner and more prone to injuring the surrounding tissue structure. Therefore, nasal bleeding is more likely to occur in a dry nasal cavity or when water intake is low. Once bleeding occurs, the treatment method is similar to that of common nasal bleeding. Firstly, the most common method is compression hemostasis, pressing on the bleeding point to stop the bleeding. Additionally, electrocoagulation can also be considered. After the nasal bleeding has stopped, combined with the patient's medical history, if there is a recurrent condition of nasal bleeding, considering correction of the deviated nasal septum might be needed to fundamentally correct the cause of recurrent nasal bleeding.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you drink alcohol with a deviated nasal septum?

Deviated nasal septum should not be associated with excessive drinking. Deviated nasal septum occurs either from abnormal development during the embryonic stage or from later trauma to the nasal cavity or tumor compression, leading to the septum bending to one side. This condition can cause persistent nasal congestion, which progressively worsens over time. Moreover, when the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, it can lead to thinning of the nasal septum mucosa. Drinking alcohol can cause the nasal mucosa to become congested and swollen, which may lead to the rupture of local blood vessels and severe nasal bleeding. Since the blood vessels in the nasal septum are arteries, the bleeding can be substantial. Therefore, it is crucial for patients not to consume alcohol. If a patient experiences severe nasal congestion and significant nasal bleeding, they should seek medical treatment for correction of the deviated septum, which can be curative.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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The main reason that a deviated septum causes headaches

In clinical practice, a deviated nasal septum can be structural, which often leads to symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. There are primarily two reasons why a deviated nasal septum may cause headaches. First, the deviated septum directly irritates the middle turbinate, leading to anterior ethmoid nerve syndrome and severe headaches. Second, the deviated septum may lead to secondary conditions such as rhinitis or sinusitis, which also cause headaches. Therefore, in clinical practice, surgical intervention is needed to correct a deviated nasal septum causing headaches. Before surgery, a CT scan is usually conducted to rule out sinusitis or other diseases causing the headaches. However, it is important to inform patients preoperatively that even after the surgery, headaches caused by the deviated septum may not be completely relieved or eliminated. This is crucial information to communicate to patients before the procedure.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can a deviated septum be seen from the outside?

A deviated nasal septum is not apparent externally; it requires a hospital examination including a nasal endoscopy and a sinus CT scan for a definitive diagnosis. A deviated nasal septum is a common and frequently occurring condition in otolaryngology, with about 90% of people having some degree of deviation. This condition is mainly due to abnormal nasal septum development during the embryonic stage or due to trauma to the nasal septum or compression from nasal tumors occurring later. When the nasal septum deviates to one or both sides, it primarily causes persistent, progressive nasal obstruction on both sides. It also accompanies symptoms like mucous nasal discharge, a sense of swelling or a foreign body in the nasal cavity, facial pain, and headaches. A deviated nasal septum can also lead to complications such as sinusitis and nasal polyps. Diagnosis can be confirmed at a hospital with a nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scan. Treatment involves surgical correction of the deviated nasal septum, which can cure the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What are the dangers of deviated septum and enlarged turbinates?

Nasal septal deviation and hypertrophy of the turbinates refer to the cartilaginous and bony parts of the nasal septum leaning towards one side, or both sides, of the nasal cavity, which interferes with the normal drainage function of the nasal passage. The deviation of the nasal septum to one side can cause compensatory hypertrophy of the turbinate on the same side, primarily the enlargement of the inferior turbinate. Clinically, this is mainly manifested by symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. Therefore, for severe nasal septal deviation, it is often necessary to perform a sinus CT scan to determine the degree of deviation, followed by endoscopic surgery to correct the deviation.