Can a deviated nasal septum cause rhinitis?

Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

Updated on September 01, 2024

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A deviated septum refers to the condition where the cartilage and bone tissues of the nasal septum are skewed towards one side of the nasal cavity. This structural deviation can lead to nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. If these symptoms are not present, it might be that the septum is deviated but not severely so. However, if these symptoms do appear, then it is necessary to address the deviated septum. There is an inevitable connection between a deviated septum and rhinitis, meaning a deviated septum will certainly lead to rhinitis. Rhinitis involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, the presence of a deviated septum will definitely cause rhinitis. Thus, actively treating a deviated septum greatly aids in the recovery from rhinitis.

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Written by Li Rui

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What medicine is good for a deviated nasal septum?

Nasal septum deviation is a relatively common ENT disorder, and typically it does not require medication for treatment. This is because the deviation of the nasal septum is primarily due to either bony or cartilaginous bends, which are difficult to effectively treat with medications. Medications cannot correct a deviated septum. If the nasal septum deviation is severe and accompanied by related clinical symptoms, surgery may be considered for correction. A common procedure is the endoscopic nasal septum deviation correction surgery, which is minimally invasive and generally has good outcomes. If the deviation is minor and does not present any clinical signs, observation may be sufficient without the need for specific treatment.

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Otolaryngology

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Nasal septum deviation, general anesthesia or local anesthesia?

Nasal septum deviation is generally treated under general anesthesia through nasal septum deviation correction surgery. During the surgery, the patient experiences no pain. Typically, the surgery can be completed in about one to two hours; this is a routine procedure in otolaryngology. Nasal septum deviation is primarily caused by congenital developmental deformities of the nasal septum or trauma to the nasal septum sustained later in life. This condition leads to persistent and progressively worsening nasal congestion on both sides, along with sensations of swelling and a foreign body in the nasal passages. Severe cases can cause dizziness, headaches, and other related symptoms. A thorough examination at a hospital using an electronic rhinoscope and nasal bone CT scan can confirm the diagnosis. In severe cases of nasal septum deviation, correction surgery under general anesthesia is needed for a complete cure.

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Written by Li Mao Cai

Otolaryngology

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Can a deviated nasal septum be corrected?

Deviations in the nasal septum can be corrected through endoscopic septoplasty, which is a minimally invasive procedure using an endoscope. The aim of the surgery is to remove or correct the deviated part of the nasal septum's cartilage or bone, achieving proper alignment. Some cases of nasal septum deviation may also involve the formation of spurs, so there is a possibility of damaging the mucosa of the nasal septum during the surgery. This could result in complications such as a septal perforation or a tear in the mucosa on one side of the nose. In such cases, repositioning the mucosa or repairing the perforation generally yields good results in correcting the deviation and restoring normal nasal function.

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 9sec

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Can a deviated nasal septum be manually adjusted by hand?

A deviated nasal septum cannot be manually adjusted, as the site of deviation is deep within the nasal cavity and thus inaccessible by hand. A deviated nasal septum is a common and frequent condition encountered in otolaryngology. It mainly results from abnormal nasal septum development during the embryonic stage or from postnatal trauma to the nasal septum and pressure from nasal tumors causing the septum to deviate to one side. After developing a deviated nasal septum, the patient may experience continuous, progressive nasal congestion, as well as facial swelling, pain, and headaches among other symptoms. In severe cases, the deviation may lead to complications such as sinusitis and nasal polyps, which can be diagnosed with an endoscopic examination and sinus CT scan at a hospital. In terms of treatment, minor deviations of the nasal septum do not require intervention. However, if associated symptoms are present, localized surgical correction may be necessary and can be curative.

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Does it hurt to remove the stitches from a deviated nasal septum surgery?

Nasal septum deviation is a common surgical procedure in otolaryngology, primarily involving the misalignment of the septal cartilage, which affects the ventilation and drainage of the nasal cavity. This can cause symptoms such as nosebleeds and headaches. Thus, submucous resection of the nasal septum is a routine surgery. Generally, by observing the condition of the wound, if there is no protrusion, tearing, and the alignment is good, it is usually not necessary to stitch. If stitching is done, the stitches are removed after 7 to 8 days. The doctor moistens the nasal cavity with saline, cleaning out any nasal scabs. If pain is a concern, surface anesthesia can be applied using a tetracaine epinephrine cotton swab. Removing the stitches in this way will not be painful. Even without anesthesia, removing stitches feels like a mosquito bite and is not very painful, so there should not be much concern.