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What Causes a Deviated Septum?
Houston Sinus Surgeon Dr. Shawn Allen explains that 80% of adults have a deviated septum. Learn what causes a deviated septum and its potential impact on daily life.
What is a Deviated Septum?
The septum is the cartilage and bone dividing the nasal cavity. A septum is deviated if it is off-center. This misalignment usually causes one nasal passage to be smaller than the other, or may even cause an ‘S’ curve in the septum. A deviated septum can lead to breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, and increased risk of sinus infections.
What Causes a Deviated Septum?
Sometimes a septum can become deviated as the result of an injury or trauma to the nose. More often a deviated septum can develop during a childhood or adolescent growth spurt—basically the vertical growth of the septum in relation to the size of the skull causes the septum to bow or shift to one side of the nose. A deviated septum can also be caused by horizontal overgrowth, or spurs, on the septum.
When Does a Deviated Septum Need to Be Treated?
Many cases of deviated septum are mild and do not cause significant symptoms. But moderate to severe deviations can impact nasal breathing and cause bothersome symptoms such as frequent sinus congestion or turbinate swelling.
Get Treatment for a Deviated Septum
The best way to determine if a deviated septum is causing your sinus problems is to see an experienced Rhinologist. If you suffer from the pain and inconvenience of chronic nasal congestion, a deviated septum could be the underlying cause. Dr. Allen offers septoplasty, which is an effective surgery to repair a deviated septum. Contact us to schedule your consultation appointment.