Does a deviated nasal septum affect breathing?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 27, 2025
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A deviated nasal septum can potentially impact normal breathing, depending primarily on the severity and specific location of the deviation. If the deviation is mild and does not affect the ventilation of the nasal cavity, it will not impact normal breathing. However, if the nasal septum deviation is more pronounced, especially if it occurs in the middle, or affects the middle or front sections of the nasal cavity, it can interfere with normal airflow and lead to nasal congestion, which may affect breathing. In cases where nasal obstruction is significant and the septum deviation is severe, it is generally considered necessary to perform a septoplasty under endoscopy. After surgery, most patients can achieve effective relief and recovery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is the deviated nasal septum bone removed directly?

A deviated nasal septum refers to the cartilage or bone of the nasal septum being skewed towards one or both sides of the nasal cavities, leading to a series of symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. Surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum is usually carried out under nasal endoscopy. The surgery involves the removal of the deviated cartilage and bone tissue while preserving the mucosa. Since the mucosa is straight, this corrects the deviated nasal septum, thereby clearing the nasal passages. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches can be effectively alleviated through surgery, so for severe cases of deviated nasal septum, surgical removal is often adopted.

doctor image
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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

Does a deviated nasal septum affect breathing?

A deviated nasal septum can potentially impact normal breathing, depending primarily on the severity and specific location of the deviation. If the deviation is mild and does not affect the ventilation of the nasal cavity, it will not impact normal breathing. However, if the nasal septum deviation is more pronounced, especially if it occurs in the middle, or affects the middle or front sections of the nasal cavity, it can interfere with normal airflow and lead to nasal congestion, which may affect breathing. In cases where nasal obstruction is significant and the septum deviation is severe, it is generally considered necessary to perform a septoplasty under endoscopy. After surgery, most patients can achieve effective relief and recovery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

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.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you wear a ventilator with a deviated nasal septum?

People with a deviated nasal septum should generally avoid using breathing machines, as the deviation is a bony misalignment that can cause persistent nasal congestion. If a breathing machine is used, the airflow from the machine can irritate the nasal septum membrane, leading to erosion, and in severe cases, cause local rupture and bleeding. A deviated nasal septum is a common and frequent condition in otolaryngology, typically caused by abnormal nasal septum development during the embryonic stage, or by subsequent trauma or tumoral pressure, causing the septum to deviate to one or both sides. This deviation can lead to continuous bilateral nasal congestion, along with a sensation of a foreign body in the nasal passages, swelling, headaches, and other related symptoms. It is advised to consult a hospital for an examination, where a diagnosis can be confirmed with an endoscope. For treatment, the deviated nasal septum usually requires surgical correction, which can effectively cure the condition.