Do people with a deviated nasal septum faint?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on December 15, 2024

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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 Yao Jun

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

59sec

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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

53sec

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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 Li Rui

Otolaryngology

46sec

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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 Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 8sec

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How long after septoplasty under general anesthesia can one get out of bed?

After general anesthesia surgery for a deviated nasal septum, patients can freely move in bed after 6 hours, but should wait at least 24 hours before getting out of bed and moving around to avoid the effects of the anesthesia. A deviated nasal septum is a common and frequently occurring condition in otolaryngology, typically caused by congenital abnormalities in the development of the nasal septum. This condition may lead to persistent, progressive nasal congestion on both sides, along with pain in the facial area, headaches, and a deviated nasal septum. It can also trigger nasal sinusitis and nasal polyps in patients. A detailed examination at the hospital with an electronic nasal endoscope and sinus CT scan can provide a diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if a mild nasal septum deviation presents no clinical symptoms, no treatment is necessary. However, if the patient suffers from nasal congestion, headaches, or other related symptoms, local surgical correction may be required. Patients typically recover and are discharged about a week after the surgery.

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 11sec

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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.