Overview
A deviated septum happens when the thin wall between the nasal passages, called the nasal septum, is off to one side. The nasal septum being off-center, called deviated, makes one side of the inside of the nose smaller.
A deviated septum can block one side of the nose. The reduced airflow can make it hard to breathe. A deviated septum also can lead to a nose that looks crooked in some people.
Medicines might reduce the swelling inside the nose. Surgery is needed to correct a deviated septum.
Deviated septum
A deviated septum occurs when the wall between the nasal passages, called the nasal septum, is off to one side. This makes one nasal air passage smaller than the other.
Symptoms
Most deviated septums have no symptoms. You might not know you have a deviated septum. But sometimes a deviated septum can cause the following:
- Blockage in one or both nostrils. This blockage can make it hard to breathe. This might be worse during colds or allergies that can cause nasal passages to swell and narrow.
- Nosebleeds. The surface of the nasal septum might become dry. This can raise the risk of nosebleeds.
- Noisy breathing during sleep. A deviated septum or swelling of the tissues in the nose can be one of many reasons for noisy breathing during sleep.
- Needing to sleep only on one side. Some people sleep on a certain side to ease breathing through the nose at night if one nasal passage is narrowed.
When to see a doctor
See a healthcare professional for:
- A blocked nostril that doesn't clear up with treatment.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
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Causes
A deviated septum is caused by a few conditions. A deviated septum happens when the thin wall that separates the right and left sides of the nose, called the nasal septum, is pushed to one side.
A deviated septum can be caused by:
- A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum happens when the fetus is in the womb. It can be seen at birth.
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Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to move out of place.
In infants, such an injury may occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, rough play such as wrestling or automobile accidents.
Aging can affect nasal structures. So a deviated septum can get worse over time.
Swelling and irritation of the nasal cavities or sinus cavities from an infection can narrow the nasal passage even more. The result can be nasal blockage.
Risk factors
A deviated septum can have several risk factors. For some people, a deviated septum is present at birth — happening during fetal development or due to injury during childbirth. After birth, a deviated septum is most commonly caused by an injury that moves the nasal septum out of place. Risk factors include:
- Playing contact sports.
- Not wearing a seat belt while riding in a motor vehicle.
Complications
A badly deviated septum that blocks the nose can lead to complications such as:
- Dry mouth. This is from breathing through the mouth.
- Disturbed sleep. This is from not being able to breathe well through the nose at night.
- Repeated nosebleeds. Air passing through the nostrils can dry out the surface of the nasal septum.
Prevention
To help prevent the nose injuries that can cause a deviated septum:
- Wear a helmet or a midface mask when playing contact sports, such as football and volleyball.
- Wear a seat belt when riding in a motor vehicle.
