A deviated septum is a common structural condition where the thin wall separating the nostrils is off-center or crooked. Many individuals with this condition often wonder if surgical intervention is the only solution or if there are alternative ways to “fix” it without an operation. While non-surgical methods can alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms associated with a deviated septum, they do not correct the underlying physical misalignment.
What is a Deviated Septum and Its Symptoms?
The nasal septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that divides the inside of the nose into two separate chambers, creating the two nostrils. A deviated septum occurs when this partition is significantly shifted away from the midline, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. This misalignment can be present from birth, developing during fetal growth or childbirth, or it can result from an injury to the nose later in life, such as during sports or accidents.
While a large percentage of the population has some degree of septal deviation, many experience no symptoms at all. For those who do experience issues, common symptoms include difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, which can be more pronounced during colds or allergies. Other symptoms may involve frequent nosebleeds, facial pain, headaches, chronic sinus infections due to impaired drainage, noisy breathing during sleep, and snoring.
Non-Surgical Strategies for Symptom Relief
For individuals experiencing mild to moderate symptoms from a deviated septum, non-surgical approaches can help manage discomfort and improve breathing. These methods focus on reducing inflammation and congestion within the nasal passages, rather than correcting the structural deviation. Medications are often the first line of treatment to address these symptoms.
Nasal steroid sprays are commonly recommended as they possess anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling in the nasal lining, making breathing easier. Antihistamines can also be beneficial, especially if allergies contribute to nasal congestion, by controlling allergy symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing. Oral or nasal decongestants work by shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages, temporarily relieving stuffiness and improving airflow. However, nasal decongestant sprays should not be used for more than a few days consecutively to avoid rebound congestion.
Beyond medications, physical devices and home remedies can also provide relief. Nasal dilators, available as external strips or internal devices, physically open the nasal passages to increase airflow. External strips are adhesive and pull the sides of the nose open, while internal dilators are inserted into the nostrils to stent them open, making breathing easier. Using humidifiers or saline nasal sprays and rinses, such as with a neti pot, helps keep nasal passages moist, aids in clearing mucus, and can reduce irritation. Additionally, avoiding environmental triggers like allergens or irritants, which can worsen nasal symptoms, is a practical lifestyle adjustment.
Why Non-Surgical Methods Don’t “Fix” the Deviation
While the strategies mentioned can effectively alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of a deviated septum, they do not fundamentally “fix” the condition. A deviated septum is a physical abnormality involving the cartilage and bone that form the nasal partition. Non-surgical treatments primarily address the secondary effects of this structural issue, such as inflammation, swelling, and congestion, which can be exacerbated by the reduced airflow.
These methods work by reducing the body’s inflammatory response or by temporarily expanding the nasal passages, thereby improving the sensation of airflow. For instance, medications can decrease swelling within the nose, but they cannot physically straighten a crooked piece of cartilage or bone. Similarly, nasal dilators can hold the nasal passages open, but once removed, the underlying deviation remains unchanged. The limitation lies in the fact that a structural problem requires a structural solution, which non-surgical interventions cannot provide.
When Surgical Intervention is Considered
When non-surgical methods fail to provide adequate relief, or when symptoms are severe and significantly impact a person’s quality of life, surgical intervention becomes a necessary consideration. Surgery, specifically a septoplasty, is the only way to physically straighten and reposition the nasal septum.
This procedure is typically recommended for chronic and severe nasal obstruction that is unresponsive to medical management, frequent and severe nosebleeds caused by the deviation, or recurrent sinus infections due to impaired drainage. A septoplasty aims to improve airflow by reshaping the septum, which may involve removing or readjusting portions of bone and cartilage. The procedure is usually performed through the nostrils, meaning there are no external incisions or visible scars. While the goal of septoplasty is to restore normal airflow and improve breathing, it does not typically change the external appearance of the nose. This surgical approach offers a definitive solution for the structural issue, leading to lasting symptom relief for many individuals.