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- support@drdiptimanent.com
- Monday - Sunday : 10AM- 4PM
- Monday - Friday : 6PM-8PM
- JCEM Diagnostics, Tarini Lane, Near Secondary Board High School, Bajrakabati Rd, Cuttack, Odisha – 753001
Do you often feel that one side of your nose is blocked? Do you have difficulty breathing through your nose, frequent nasal congestion, or recurring nosebleeds? These symptoms may sometimes be linked to a deviated septum.
The nasal septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the left and right sides of the nose. Ideally, it sits near the centre. When the septum is significantly shifted to one side, it is called a deviated septum.
A mild deviation may not cause noticeable problems. However, a more significant deviation can interfere with normal airflow and contribute to persistent nasal symptoms. Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatment options can help you decide when an ENT evaluation may be appropriate.
The nasal septum separates the two nasal passages. It is made of bone and cartilage and helps provide structure to the nose.
A deviated nasal septum occurs when this dividing wall is displaced or bent toward one side.
A deviated septum may develop because of:
Not everyone with a deviated septum experiences symptoms. Treatment is generally considered when the deviation causes significant breathing problems or other persistent symptoms.
The symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the deviation.
One of the most common symptoms is persistent nasal blockage or congestion, particularly on one side.
You may feel that one nostril is consistently more difficult to breathe through than the other. The blockage can become more noticeable during a cold, allergy flare-up, or when lying down.
A deviated septum can restrict airflow through one or both nasal passages.
You may notice difficulty breathing:
Some people may compensate by breathing through their mouth, particularly while sleeping.
A deviated septum can alter airflow inside the nose and contribute to dryness or irritation of the nasal lining.
This may increase the likelihood of recurrent nosebleeds, although nosebleeds can have many other causes as well.
Frequent or unexplained nosebleeds should be evaluated rather than automatically attributed to a deviated septum.
Restricted nasal airflow may contribute to noisy breathing while sleeping.
Some people may notice:
A deviated septum is not the only possible cause of snoring or sleep-related breathing problems, so an appropriate evaluation is important.
A significantly narrowed nasal passage may affect normal airflow and drainage. Some people with a deviated septum may experience recurrent nasal or sinus symptoms.
However, sinus problems can have multiple causes, including allergies, infections, and nasal polyps.
Some people with significant nasal obstruction report facial pressure or headaches. However, headaches have many possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to a deviated septum.
A deviated septum can be present from birth or develop later in life.
A blow to the nose from a fall, sports injury, accident, or other trauma can move the septum away from its normal position.
The septum can gradually become more uneven as the nose and facial structures develop.
Even an injury that occurred years ago may contribute to a crooked or displaced nasal septum.
In some cases, a person may not remember having a specific injury because the deviation developed gradually or resulted from an injury during childhood.
A deviated septum is usually diagnosed through an ENT examination.
During the evaluation, your doctor may ask about:
The doctor may examine the inside of your nose using appropriate instruments to assess the nasal passages and septum.
In some cases, additional nasal endoscopy or imaging may be recommended, particularly when other nasal or sinus problems are suspected.
The aim is to determine whether the septal deviation is actually responsible for your symptoms and whether another condition is contributing to your breathing difficulties.
Not every deviated septum requires surgery.
If symptoms are mild or are partly caused by swelling from allergies or other nasal conditions, non-surgical treatment may help improve nasal breathing.
Depending on the underlying problem, an ENT specialist may recommend:
It is important to understand that these treatments may help control nasal swelling and symptoms, but they do not physically straighten a deviated septum.
If a deviated septum causes significant and persistent nasal obstruction that does not improve with appropriate medical treatment, your ENT specialist may discuss surgery.
The procedure used to correct a deviated septum is called septoplasty.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to straighten the nasal septum and improve airflow through the nose.
During the procedure, the surgeon carefully repositions or removes selected portions of cartilage and bone that are contributing to the obstruction while preserving the structural support of the nose.
The specific surgical approach depends on the individual’s nasal anatomy and the location and severity of the deviation.
The choice between medical management and surgery depends on your symptoms and examination findings.
Non-surgical treatment may be considered when:
Septoplasty may be considered when:
Your ENT specialist can help determine which approach is appropriate for your condition.
Consider an ENT evaluation if you regularly experience:
You should also seek medical evaluation for frequent, heavy, or difficult-to-control nosebleeds.
A blocked nose is often attributed to allergies, colds, or sinus problems. But if nasal congestion continues even when you are otherwise well, a structural problem such as a deviated septum may be contributing to your symptoms.
An ENT examination can determine whether the septum is deviated and whether other conditions are affecting your nasal breathing.
The right treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. While medication can help manage nasal inflammation, significant structural obstruction may require surgical correction.
If you are struggling to breathe comfortably through your nose, don’t ignore persistent nasal blockage.
Consult Dr. Diptiman Baliarsingh for an ENT evaluation to determine whether a deviated septum or another nasal condition may be affecting your breathing.
Dr. Diptiman Baliarsingh
JCEM Diagnostics, Tarini Lane, Near Secondary Board High School, Bajrakabati Rd, Cuttack, Odisha – 753001
Call: +91 94384 36775
Email: support@drdiptimanent.com
Clinic Hours:
Morning & Afternoon: Monday–Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM
Evening: Monday–Friday, 6 PM–8 PM
Having persistent nasal blockage or difficulty breathing? Schedule an ENT consultation today.
