What happens if you don’t fix a deviated septum?

All You Need To Know About Nasal Septum Deviation.
It is estimated that about 80% of individuals have a deviated septum. A nasal septum is a cartilaginous structure that divides the right from the left nostrils. Most individuals are born with a deviated septum without noticing. In others, a deviated septum may arise due to trauma injuries to the nose. Typically, a deviated nasal septum has no relevant health implications; however, if the nasal septum is significantly crooked or off-center, this may necessitate a deviated septum repair Los Angeles.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of A Deviated Nasal Septum?
A deviated nasal septum may manifest as frequent nosebleeds from the nasal septum because its surface is frequently dry. This is common, especially when the nasal septum deviation overexposes a portion of your nose. Nasal septum deviation may be associated with one-sided facial pain, especially if the deviation leads to increased pressure on one of the nostrils.

Another common indicator of nasal septum deviation is nasal obstruction, especially at night. Nasal obstruction leads to difficulty in breathing. The nasal obstruction is exacerbated by a cold and may cause one to sleep facing a particular side to optimize breathing. Milder forms of nasal obstruction may manifest as a nasal obstruction cycle where the blockage occurs alternately between the two nostrils and depends on the supine position one lies.

Snoring when sleeping can be linked to a deviated nasal septum. In more severe cases, a deviated nasal septum may exacerbate or cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by periods where one can not breathe during their sleep. Other symptoms include headaches and post nasal mucous drips.

Implications Of A Deviated Nasal Septum.
In the milder forms, a deviated nasal septum has no serious health implications. However, severe cases may lead to a frequently blocked nostril that does not respond to treatment, recurring sinus infection, and frequent nosebleeds.

Medical Measures Taken To Correct A Deviated Septum Los Angeles.
A severe case of a deviated nasal septum, may necessitate a deviated septum repair Los Angeles. A septoplasty procedure Los Angeles is a technique where the surgeon makes a small incision in the septum so that they can remove excess cartilage and bone that causes the nasal septum deviation. Septoplasty is a simple surgical procedure that may be done in an outpatient setting. The process requires the use of local anesthesia or a general anesthetic agent. Septoplasty procedure Los Angeles takes about one hour for it to be done to completion.

Additionally, a surgeon may recommend septorhinoplasty Los Angeles. This is a combined procedure of rhinoplasty and septoplasty. Septorhinoplasty Los Angeles requires more recovery time as it is a more invasive surgical procedure. It is advised to wait till the age of 15 years when the nasal septum has fully grown for the correction of a congenital nasal septum deviation. Soft packaging material like cotton wool or internal splints may be put in place to secure the septum and facilitate its healing.

Other new techniques used in the correction of a deviated septum are the use of balloon septoplasty procedure Los Angeles in milder cases.

What are the risks associated with nasal septum deviation surgery?
More often than not, septoplasty and septorhinoplasty are clinically termed as a safe procedure. However, as with any surgery, one may suffer from anesthesia allergy, bleeding, and infection. The risks associated specifically with septoplasty and septorhinoplasty are the loss of smelling sensation and perforation to the septum. Contact our ENT doctor Los Angeles today!