When people experience difficulty breathing through the nose, they often wonder if routine actions, such as forcefully blowing the nose, could permanently alter the nasal structure and cause a deviated septum. This concern stems from the discomfort and pressure felt during aggressive nose blowing. Understanding the composition and stability of the nasal partition clarifies why a severe, chronic deviation is not caused by this everyday activity.
Anatomy of the Nasal Septum
The nasal septum is the thin wall that runs vertically down the center of the nose, separating the left and right nasal cavities. This partition is made up of two primary components that provide structure and flexibility. The posterior portion consists of thin bony plates, including the vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, which anchor the septum securely within the skull.
The anterior portion is composed of the septal cartilage, a flexible yet firm structure that extends toward the tip of the nose. This combination of bone and cartilage is designed to be resilient, allowing the nose to handle minor external pressures and internal air currents without permanent displacement. A perfectly straight septum is uncommon, as minor shifts are present in most people.
Direct Answer: Blowing Your Nose as a Cause
Blowing the nose, even with extreme force, does not generate the sustained or direct impact needed to physically fracture or permanently displace the septum’s framework. The force produced during a vigorous blow is primarily a transient pressure event that the resilient structure of the septum is built to absorb. While this pressure can cause temporary swelling of the nasal lining or minor nosebleeds, it lacks the mechanical energy required to shift the bone and cartilage.
The pressure created when blowing the nose is distributed across the entire inner surface of the nasal passage. For a deviation to occur, a concentrated force capable of fracturing the bone or buckling the cartilage is necessary. Since the septum is firmly attached to the floor and roof of the nasal cavity, it is structurally stable against internal air pressure. Therefore, blowing the nose is not a mechanism for developing a chronic, symptomatic septal deviation.
Established Causes of Septal Deviation
Septal deviation is attributed to two main causes: trauma and developmental factors. Traumatic injuries are a frequent cause, resulting from a direct blow to the face or nose, such as those sustained during contact sports, falls, or motor vehicle accidents. The force from such impacts is concentrated and powerful enough to dislodge the bone or cartilage, resulting in a crooked or angled septum.
The deviation can also originate from developmental factors, meaning it is present from birth or develops during growth. This may happen due to compression of the nose during the birth process. In other cases, the septum and the surrounding facial skeleton grow at different rates during childhood and adolescence. This unequal growth causes the septum’s cartilage to buckle and fold within the nasal cavity, resulting in a noticeable deviation as the facial structure matures.
Recognizing Symptoms and Treatment Options
A deviated septum only requires medical attention if the structural shift interferes with normal nasal function. The most common symptom is chronic nasal congestion or difficulty breathing, which is usually worse on the side toward which the septum deviates. Other signs include frequent nosebleeds due to airflow drying out the exposed septal surface, or noisy breathing during sleep, such as snoring. Recurrent sinus infections or facial pain can also result from a severe deviation blocking natural drainage pathways.
For people with mild symptoms, non-surgical management is the first step, involving medications such as decongestants or nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation and open the airway. When the physical blockage is significant, surgical correction is the only definitive treatment. This procedure, called septoplasty, involves reshaping, repositioning, or partially removing the deviated portions of the bone and cartilage to straighten the septum and restore unimpeded airflow.