Deviated Septum
Deviated Septum Overview
The nasal septum is the bony partition in the center of the nose that separates the left and right nostrils.
The nasal septum is not a single bone, but is made up of several pieces of cartilage and bone.
Normally, the nasal septum should be centered between the left and right nostrils, but in some people, the septum is deviated to one side; this condition is called a deviated septum.
Deviated Septum Causes
Congenital or
Congenital Malformation
During childbirth
Pressure
Acquired or
Traumatic Malformation
Hypertrophy (thickening) of the turbinates (the raised ridges inside the nose—commonly referred to as “swollen nasal tissue”)
Nasal cysts or tumors
Due to a foreign object in the nose
Pressure caused by...
Deviated Septum Symptoms
Nasal congestion
A common symptom caused by a deviated septum is nasal congestion.
Allergic rhinitis or chronic hypertrophic rhinitis often occurs alongside a deviated septum, which further exacerbates nasal congestion.
Both nostrils become blocked alternately, but the side with the deviated septum is more severely and frequently blocked. However, in some patients, the nostril on the opposite side of the deviated septum may be more blocked.
This is because prolonged nasal congestion causes numbness in the narrower nostril and, conversely, increased sensitivity in the relatively wider nostril, so even slight swelling in the wider nostril causes discomfort.
Symptoms associated with a stuffy nose
A stuffy nose can cause you to breathe through your mouth, which may lead to a heavy feeling in the head, sleep disturbances, decreased attention or concentration, and a loss of smell.