How to treat a deviated nasal septum?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Deviated nasal septum refers to the deviation of nasal septum cartilage and bone tissues towards one or both nasal cavities, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and even headaches. Generally speaking, when these symptoms of nasal septum deviation occur, surgical treatment is typically adopted. This involves correcting and removing the deviated cartilage and bone tissues under endoscopic guidance to restore normal airflow in the nasal passages.

If a patient only has structural or radiographic evidence of a deviated nasal septum but lacks clinical symptoms, surgery may not be necessary. Alternatively, temporary observation and medical management to control inflammation of the nasal mucosa can be considered.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal septum deviation be treated under general anesthesia?

Nasal septum deviation refers to the deviation of the cartilage and bone tissue of the nasal septum towards one or both nasal passages, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, blood-tinged nasal discharge or nosebleeds, and headaches. After the deviation of the nasal septum, nasal congestion can cause symptoms of snoring. Surgery for nasal septum deviation or other operations can be performed under general anesthesia. The deviated nasal septum does not affect the state of anesthesia. However, due to the presence of a deviated nasal septum, oral intubation should be chosen instead of nasal intubation during general anesthesia. If nasal intubation is desired, it should be performed on the side with a wider nasal passage. Thus, attention should be paid to the choice of intubation location during surgery under general anesthesia.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Postoperative Care for Deviated Septum Surgery

Postoperative care after septoplasty mainly involves the following points: Since nasal packing is generally required after septal surgery, the physical condition of the person is quite painful during this period. Some people may experience headaches, continuous nasal discharge or even bleeding, nasal congestion, and some might even feel ear stuffiness and dry throat, etc. Therefore, it is important to rest after the surgery. Also, it is important not to be too anxious or impatient, cooperate with the doctor for appropriate treatment, and not to worry too much about recurrent symptoms of nasal bleeding, as these are normal occurrences. Once the nasal packing is removed, these symptoms will gradually improve. After the nasal packing is removed, care should be taken not to blow the nose forcefully, especially to avoid sneezing vigorously, as this may cause complications like nasal septal hematoma. After stitches are removed, it is crucial to avoid pressing on the nasal bridge forcefully, as protecting the nose in this way is key to ensuring proper nasal shape development.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with a deviated nasal septum faint?

A simple deviation of the nasal septum generally does not cause people to faint. Common clinical symptoms of a deviated nasal septum include repeated nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds. Some patients may experience headaches, dizziness, and snoring during sleep, but generally, consciousness remains clear without episodes of fainting. If fainting occurs, it is necessary to investigate other potential issues, such as fluctuations in blood pressure, low blood sugar, or problems related to blood vessels or nerves in the head. It is generally advised to first consult with a neurology department to investigate the specific causes of the fainting. If the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, considering surgery might be an option.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
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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.