Deviated Nasal Septum Specialists in Tamil Nadu

What is Deviated Nasal Septum?

A deviated nasal septum occurs when the thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates the two nasal passages is displaced to one side, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. Many people have some degree of septal deviation without significant symptoms, but a pronounced deviation can obstruct airflow, disrupt normal mucus drainage, and contribute to recurrent sinus infections. It can be present from birth due to the pressures of childbirth, or acquired later through nasal trauma such as a broken nose. The condition is diagnosed through physical examination and nasal endoscopy, and treatment is generally reserved for cases causing significant breathing difficulty.

Causes of Deviated Nasal Septum

A deviated septum most commonly results from an injury to the nose, such as a sports injury, fall, or motor vehicle accident, that shifts the septal cartilage out of its normal midline position. It can also occur congenitally due to compression of the nose during birth or uneven growth of the nose and face during childhood and adolescence. In some cases the deviation is mild and present from birth without any identifiable trauma.

Symptoms of Deviated Nasal Septum

difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, frequent nasal congestion, nosebleeds, facial pain or headaches, noisy breathing during sleep, recurrent sinus infections, postnasal drip, preference for sleeping on a particular side to breathe easier

Treatment & Types of Deviated Nasal Septum in Tamil Nadu

Mild cases causing minimal symptoms often require no treatment beyond managing associated nasal congestion with saline rinses or intranasal steroid sprays. Nasal decongestants and antihistamines can provide temporary relief of congestion related to the deviation. When the deviation causes significant breathing obstruction, sleep disturbance, or recurrent sinus infections, a surgical procedure called septoplasty is performed to straighten the septum and restore normal airflow.

A deviated septum can be classified as congenital, present from birth due to compression during delivery, or acquired, resulting from nasal trauma later in life. Deviations are also described by shape and location, such as a C-shaped, S-shaped, or spur-type deviation, which affects which side is obstructed and how surgery, if needed, is planned.

ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) Specialists in Tamil Nadu (1)

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