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Posted in Uncategorized | February 3, 2025
Do you have nasal congestion that just won’t go away? Are you constantly dealing with breathing difficulties?
You may have a deviated septum. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with the frustrations of this common condition forever. With a septoplasty, you find long-term relief and improve your quality of life.
Keep reading to learn more about why a septoplasty could help a deviated septum.
The septum is the wall of bone and cartilage separating your nostrils. Typically, it sits in the middle, dividing your nasal passages evenly.
A deviated septum occurs when the septum is displaced to one side, making one nasal passage smaller. Having a deviated septum is very common.
It’s estimated that 80 percent of all septums are off-center to some extent. Many people don’t even know they have a deviated septum because they don’t experience symptoms.
You may be born with a deviated septum. However, it can also develop after an injury to the nose, such as during a car accident, contact sports, or a fall.
A mildly deviated septum usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. But if the deviation is severe, you may experience symptoms such as:
Persistent congestion, especially on one side of the nose, is a common symptom of a deviated septum.
A crooked septum may prevent your sinuses from draining efficiently, resulting in repeated sinus infections.
A bent septum can obstruct one or both nostrils, making it difficult for air to pass through. Consequently, breathing through your nose may be challenging, especially when sleeping or during physical activities.
The turbulence of air created by a deviated septum can dry out moist nasal membranes, making you more prone to nosebleeds.
The narrowing and obstruction of the smaller nasal passage due to a misaligned septum can cause congestion that may lead to snoring while sleeping. It can also contribute to sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that causes breathing interruptions throughout the night.
A severely deviated septum can make the surfaces within your nose touch and cause tenderness, pressure, and one-sided facial pain.
The bothersome and lingering symptoms of a deviated septum, such as difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, facial pain, and sinus infections, can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.
A septoplasty is a procedure done by an ENT specialist to correct a deviated septum. During a septoplasty, you may be given local or general anesthesia.
Your surgeon at Specialty Care Institute will then make an incision inside your nose to access the septum. After that, they’ll lift the mucous membrane covering the septum.
Your surgeon may reposition your septum to straighten it. They can also reshape it by trimming excess cartilage and bone. Once done, they’ll put the mucous membrane back in place and close the incision with stitches.
Finally, they may place splints inside your nose to support your septum and aid with the healing process. They might also use nasal packing to absorb any blood and other fluids.
Septoplasty takes about 45 to 90 minutes. It’s usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home on the day of your surgery.
You’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home.
Your surgeon will provide post-operative care instructions before you leave on the day of your procedure. You should follow all of their directions to resume your regular routine as soon as possible and ensure a smooth, successful recovery.
Septoplasty recovery varies from patient to patient, but generally, many patients can resume their regular activities within 10 to 14 days. However, heavy lifting and physical activity can cause bleeding, so avoid them until your doctor clears you to do so.
Full healing of the cartilage and bone could take 3 months to a year, but during this time, you should continue to see improvements in your symptoms. For most patients, the results of a septoplasty last a lifetime.
Some of the many septoplasty benefits include:
Septoplasty opens up your airways and improves airflow, making it easier to breathe through your nose.
Realigning the septum can restore sinus drainage, leading to fewer sinus infections.
By straightening your septum and opening up your nasal passages, septoplasty improves airflow during sleep, decreasing snoring and sleep apnea episodes.
Septoplasty eliminates blockages, enhancing nasal breathing and alleviating other symptoms of a deviated septum. This can help you achieve deeper, more restful sleep every night.
Improved nasal function following septoplasty can boost your energy levels, allowing you to engage in more activities. Whether you love sports, outdoor activities, or working out, you’ll be able to enjoy any activity without the effects of a deviated septum getting in the way.
If you’re struggling with stubborn congestion, sinus infections, breathing difficulties, and other effects of a deviated septum, you may need a septoplasty. Getting a septoplasty with the expert ENT specialists at Specialty Care Institute can restore nasal function and improve your overall well-being.
Do you have symptoms of a deviated septum? Schedule your appointment at Specialty Care Institute in Barrington, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, and Elgin, IL, today to determine if a septoplasty is right for you.
