How to Prevent Dry Air From Negatively Impacting Your Health
Winter weather, heavy air conditioning, and high altitudes can dry out your sinuses. Here are some tips to prevent congestion and nosebleeds.
Can a Deviated Septum Worsen As I Age?
A deviated septum isn’t uncommon; in fact, it’s estimated that around 80% of people have a septum that’s deviated in some way. For the majority, the issue isn’t noticeable. For others, it keeps being a bigger and bigger problem over time.
At SLENT, with locations in Mandeville, Slidell, and Hammond, Louisiana, our otolaryngology specialists provide treatment for deviated septa, using a procedure known as a septoplasty. This can relieve your symptoms and make every breath easier.
Deviated septum basics
The thin piece of cartilage that separates your right nostril from the left is your septum. Ideally, your septum will be right in the center of your face above the philtrum (indentation in the area above the middle of your upper lip). In lots of people, the septum is slightly deviated from its optimal placement, meaning it’s off-center to one side or the other.
This usually isn’t noticeable and doesn’t cause any issues. However, when the deviation is significant, you can experience multiple cosmetic and medical issues. A severely deviated septum can even make it hard for you to breathe.
Symptoms of a deviated septum
A deviated septum doesn’t always cause problems. However, if you’ve noticed a serious deviation, you can experience symptoms like:
- Constant congestion
- Sinus headaches or pressure headaches
- Sinus infections or chronic sinusitis
- Difficulty breathing out of one or both nostrils
- Dry mouth from mouth breathing
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Facial pain
- Throat irritation from postnasal drip
- Noisy breathing in young children at night
Your nasal symptoms can also affect your sleep quality and make you feel tired during the day.
Deviated septum causes and treatment
A deviated septum can be the result of a congenital defect, a traumatic injury to the face, or a badly performed facial surgery. Certain types of drug use can weaken the septum and cause it to deviate.
As you age, a deviated septum can get worse. That’s because nose cartilage continues to slowly grow throughout your life. Growth can cause a slightly deviated septum to turn into a more and more off-center one.
Antihistamines or decongestants can usually deal with congestion issues. If you’ve got more severe issues, you may need a procedure known as a septoplasty. We make tiny incisions and shift the thin piece of cartilage to straighten it and position it in the center of your nose, clearing your sinus passages.
For a serious deviation, we might need to remove some excess cartilage and/or bone. You’ll need to wear little splints inside your nostrils for a short time after your surgery. Sleep propped up, don’t blow your nose, and take a break from strenuous activity for a week or two so you don’t cause a nosebleed.
Do you have symptoms of a deviated septum? Schedule a consultation with the team at SLENT by calling the location closest to you, or visit our contact page for more options.
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