Deviated Nasal Septum
The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nose into two sides. In many people it is slightly off-centre, which causes no trouble. When it is bent enough to narrow one side, often after an injury to the nose, it can cause a long-term blocked nose, mouth breathing, snoring and repeated sinus problems. Sprays can calm the lining of the nose but cannot straighten the septum; septoplasty can.
Find a ENT SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Blocked nose, often worse on one side
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially during exercise
- Mouth breathing and a dry mouth
- Snoring and noisy sleep
- Repeated sinus infections
- Nosebleeds
- Facial pain or headache
When to See a Doctor
See an ENT surgeon if one or both sides of your nose are blocked most of the time, if sprays have not helped, or if you have repeated sinusitis or nosebleeds. After a blow to the nose, see a doctor within a few days if the nose looks bent or you cannot breathe through it. Go to an emergency department for a painful swelling inside the nose after an injury (septal haematoma), which must be drained quickly to save the cartilage.
Treatment options
- Examination of the inside of the nose, and nasal endoscopy
- Steroid nasal sprays and saline rinses to reduce swelling of the lining
- Treatment of allergic rhinitis if present
- Septoplasty: straightening the septum through the nostrils, with no visible scar
- Turbinate reduction, often done at the same time
- Septorhinoplasty when the outside of the nose is also bent
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Will septoplasty change the shape of my nose?
No. Septoplasty works inside the nose and does not change its outside shape. If you also want the shape changed, that is a septorhinoplasty, which is planned differently.
Will septoplasty stop my snoring?
It can help when a blocked nose is part of the cause, but snoring often has several causes, including the throat, weight and alcohol. Your surgeon should assess all of them.
How long is recovery from septoplasty?
Most people go home the same day or the next morning. The nose feels blocked for one to two weeks while it heals, and most people return to work within a week or two, avoiding strenuous exercise and nose blowing for a little longer.
Need Help?
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