NOSE & BREATHING PROBLEMS

Deviated Nasal Septum

What is a Deviated Nasal Septum?

Picture a thin wall that divides your nasal passages, like a centre line running down a road; that's the nasal septum. Ideally, it evenly divides your nose into equal passages. However, if this line swerves to one side, making one passage narrower, you have a deviated septum.

Symptoms of a Deviated Nasal Septum

A deviated nasal septum often goes undetected. A majority of people with this condition don't experience any noticeable symptoms. However, if your deviated nasal septum is more pronounced, you might observe:

• Difficulty breathing - like trying to inhale through a straw due to blocked nostrils. This is especially noticeable when a cold or allergies cause your nasal passages to swell.

• Frequent nosebleeds - provoked by the drying out of the skin over the nasal septum.

• Noisy breathing while sleeping – because of the turbulent airflow through the nose in the presence of a deviated septum

• A particular sleeping preference - favouring one side to breathe more comfortably, given the narrowing of one nasal passage

If you're experiencing any of these, it's time to consult Dr Valerie Tay. She is your trusted partner in navigating through these breathing difficulties towards a healthier, better life!

Treatment for Deviated Nasal Septum

We may first prescribe medications for symptom relief:

• Decongestants to reduce swelling in your nasal tissue

• Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms

• Nasal steroid sprays reduce swelling in your nasal passage and help with drainage

Please note, these won't correct a deviated nasal septum but may reduce the symptoms. If medications do not help, you might need surgery.

Surgery Options for a Deviated Septum

What is Septoplasty?

When medical management isn't enough to alleviate your nasal symptoms, you might consider a surgical procedure known as Septoplasty. This procedure involves the meticulous straightening and repositioning of your nasal septum.

The level of improvement you can expect is directly related to the severity of your septum deviation. Complete relief from symptoms like nasal obstruction is possible. However, it's important to note that Septoplasty alone cannot cure other nasal or sinus conditions affecting your nose, such as allergies.

What is Septorhinoplasty?

When your external nasal structure contributes to nasal obstruction and septum deviation, a different surgical procedure, known as septorhinoplasty, might be recommended. This involves modifying your nose's external bones and cartilage to change its shape or size.