The nasal septum is the thin wall of bone and cartilage that divides the inside of your nose into two separate passages. A deviated septum occurs when this wall is shifted significantly off-center, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. Because this structural issue can restrict airflow and cause persistent symptoms, many people wonder if they can confirm the condition themselves. This article explores the limitations of self-diagnosis and outlines the professional steps necessary to determine the cause of your nasal symptoms.
Identifying Common Symptoms
The most common sign that leads people to suspect a deviated septum is difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils. This blockage is often worse on one side, a direct consequence of the septum pushing into that passage. Reduced airflow can lead to chronic or frequent sinus infections because normal drainage is impaired.
Many individuals also experience frequent nosebleeds because the septal surface may become dry due to turbulent airflow. Noisy breathing, particularly during sleep, is another common complaint, often manifesting as loud snoring. Some people report facial pain or headaches, which may stem from the crooked septum pressing against the lining of the nose.
Why Self-Diagnosis Is Inaccurate
While simple breathing tests can reveal a difference in airflow between nostrils, self-assessments cannot provide a definitive diagnosis. Although a severe deviation might be externally visible, the most functionally significant bends often occur deep inside the nasal cavity. Roughly 80% of the population has some degree of septal deviation, but most of these are minor and cause no symptoms.
A proper diagnosis requires a professional to visualize and assess the impact of the bend on breathing mechanics. Without specialized tools, it is impossible to differentiate a structural deviation from other conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as swelling of the nasal turbinates, nasal polyps, or chronic allergies. The symptoms you feel could be caused by inflammation rather than a permanent structural problem, a distinction only a medical professional can make.
The Professional Diagnostic Process
The definitive diagnostic process begins with a thorough review of your medical history, focusing on symptom duration and any history of nasal trauma. This is followed by a physical examination where a healthcare provider, often an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, uses a light and a nasal speculum to gently widen the nostril entrance. This initial step allows for a view of the anterior (front) part of the septum and the nasal lining.
To see the deeper structures and determine the full extent of the deviation, the specialist typically performs a nasal endoscopy (rhinoscopy). This procedure involves inserting a thin, lighted tube with a camera (endoscope) into the nasal passage, providing a detailed view of the entire nasal cavity, including the posterior (back) portion of the septum and surrounding structures like the turbinates. In complex cases or when planning surgery, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be used to create a detailed map of the bone and cartilage structure, especially if chronic sinus issues are suspected.
Options for Correction and Relief
Once a functional deviation is confirmed, treatment options are determined by symptom severity. For mild cases, the initial approach involves non-surgical management focused on relieving symptoms. This may include antihistamines, decongestants, or prescription nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation and swelling. These medications improve airflow by shrinking the tissue surrounding the deviation, but they do not straighten the septum itself.
If symptoms are severe or persist despite medication, correction requires a surgical procedure called septoplasty. The goal of septoplasty is to straighten and reposition the deviated bone and cartilage into the center of the nasal cavity to improve breathing. This procedure focuses solely on the internal structure of the nose, aiming to restore proper function and airflow. Sometimes, septoplasty is combined with rhinoplasty, a procedure to reshape the external nose, especially if the deviation affects outward appearance.