Treatment of Deviated nasal septum

Treatment of Deviated nasal septum

Deviated nasal septum

In less severe cases, the symptoms can be managed by simple medications like antihistamines, nasal sprays and decongestants. However, medication is a temporary method of relieving the pain as it does not actually rectify the situation. Nevertheless, medication to the symptoms associated with septal deviation can be done in form of a slight surgery process commonly known as septoplasty.

This surgery procedure is quickly performed –lasting for about an hour and does not involve any kind of cosmetic changes or scars externally. One who has undergone this surgery may take 4 days to completely heal. However, it is important to note that after the surgery, the septal bones do not re-grow. In some cases, the symptoms may reappear but this may be due to a different cause and not anything related to deviation.

Signs and symptoms of Deviated nasal septum

Signs and symptoms of Deviated nasal septum

In septum nasal deviation, the most common symptoms include the sinus infections which lead to sleep apnea, recurrent sneezing, snoring, pains in the face, nose bleeding, breathing difficulties and slight to complete loss of smelling ability. In essence, nasal septum refers to the bone and cartilage separating the nasal cavity into two – hence, the two nostrils. The cartilage on the other hand, is commonly referred to as quadrangular cartilage and the septum bones include vomer, ethmoid perpendicular plate and the maxillary crest. Usually, the septum is located at the centre forming symmetrical nasal passages.

Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS)

Deviated Nasal Septum

This is a nose physical disorder which involves the displacement of the nasal septum

Cause and type of Deviated nasal septum

Deviated Nasal Septum

The causes of nasal deviation septum is mostly caused by physical trauma such as a blow to the nose or it can also occur due to congenital disorder resulting  from a compression of the nose at birth,  before or it can occur during the first month after birth as a neonatal disease regardless of the cause. Among these health conditions, there are those associated with structural deformations commonly referred to as congenital anomalies and they involve damaging of the developing fetus.

Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Homocystinuria are some of the connective tissue disorders associated with septum deviation. The congenital disorder may occur as a result of the genetic abnormalities, infection, chromosomal abnormalities, morphogenesis errors and intrauterine environment. However, the gravity of the disorder is mainly dependent on the complex interactions of the pre-natal deficits and the post natal environment. Studies done on animals reveal that the intake of vitamins and increased glucose levels by either the mother or the father shortly before ovulating and conception pose a long term effect on the growth of the fetus;  adolescent and mature stages of the disease. The cause and abnormalities influence the type of congenital disorders and anything that may result to birth defection is called teratogen.

NASAL POLYP

NASAL POLYP

NASAL POLYP

A nasal polyp is an inflammatory condition that is associated with the lining of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps are actually movable grape-like overgrowths that emerge as a result of inflammation of the lining of the nasal lining that project into the centre of the nose. These overgrowths are soft, lack sensation and may go unnoticed for a long time. This condition is inclined to adults. However, when suspected in children below the age of ten, cystic fibrosis is ruled out.