What is a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum is a condition that displaces the thin wall between your nasal passage called “nasal septum” to one side. This makes one side of your nasal passage smaller leading to difficulty in breathing.
This condition can be caused by; swelling of nasal tissues, a nose injury during an accident or birth defect during fetus development.
When this condition becomes severe causing difficulty in breathing, you are likely to go for rhinoplasty surgery to correct the problem.
Deviated Septum Symptoms.
There are a number of symptoms associated with a deviated septum. However, not all patients experience symptoms.
Some of the common signs and symptoms of a deviated septum include:
- Nosebleeding.
- Difficult to breathe during a cold or an allergy.
- Recurrent sinus infections.
- Heavy snoring.
- Facial pain.
Talk to your doctor in case you experience any of the deviated septum symptoms. Even though sometimes the symptoms may not be felt, a deviated septum can become very severe bringing discomfort if not treated.
How is a Deviated septum diagnosed?
To diagnose a deviated septum, your doctor will review your symptoms and obtain your medical history.
He may also ask you if there are any over the counter medicines you are taking.
To rule out, your doctor will perform a physical examination of your nose using use a bright light and a nasal speculum.
Based on the outcome of the examination, your doctor can be able to determine the seriousness of your deviated septum.
Treating a Deviated septum.
Watch the interactive 3-D video below to learn more how a deviated septum is treated.
Most deviated septum are treated through a Septoplasty surgery. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes from 30 min to 1 hour 30 min.
Septoplasty procedure
- First, an incision is made inside the nostril elevating the tissue which covers the septum to enable the surgeon view the deviated septum clearly.
- The surgeon then removes the affected cartilage bone to reshape or replace.
- After reshaping and returning the cartilage, the mucous membrane is returned and the incision closed using stitches while maintaining the position of the nose.
- Your surgeon then puts sprints in your nose to keep your septum straight during the healing process.
How much does it cost to fix a deviated septum?
The average total cost of a septoplasty is $8,131. However, the cost may vary depending on; The experience of the surgeon, your geographical location, and the complexity of the condition.
You can finance your Septoplasty surgery using your credit card, savings, health financial institutions, bank loans or insurance.
Note:Insurance only covers you if you were born with a deviated septum or had a nose injury.
Deviated septum Recovery.
After septoplasty, your doctor will take you to the recovery room to wait for your anesthesia to end. you may be feeling numbness and your nose may be painful and swollen due to the surgery.
The surgeon also places cotton into your nose to control bleeding.
Your doctor will then prescribe painkillers to relieve you from pain and medications to avoid in order to reduce bleeding.
For several weeks, there are activities to strain from to quicken your healing process.
Here are things you should Avoid After septoplasty for quicker recovery:
- Drinking alcohol and smoking may interfere with your medications and thin your blood leading to heavy bleeding.
- Avoid physical activities like exercises for 10-14 days after surgery.
- You should not go swimming for the first three weeks after surgery.
- Avoid wearing glasses on your nose for a total of 6 weeks after surgery.
Deviated septum Surgery Risks.
There is no surgery without risks, however, Septoplasty success rate is higher than the risks.
This does not mean complications cannot arise during or after the surgery.
Here are some of the risks that may arise:
- You may have a nasal obstruction.
- Excessive bleeding and blood loss
- Chronic nasal drainage
- Septal perforation
- Damage to the eye if your surgeon does surgery in a wrong way.
- Infections.
- Numbness of facial structures
Ensure you keep good communication with your doctor so that in case any problem arises, you will be able to notify him or her on time.
In addition, follow your doctors after surgery instructions for quick recovery.
