The wall dividing the nasal cavity in half is known as the nasal septum
. Composed of a central skeleton that is supportive in nature, the septum is covered on both sides by a mucous membrane. The anterior portion of this natural divider is a dense yet flexible structure composed primarily of cartilages. It is enclosed with an epidermal layer and has a profusion of blood vessels. The model nasal septum is precisely midline, as in it exactly partitions the left and right sides of the nose in to channels of identical size.
Our estimates show that over 80 percent of all septums do not confirm to the midline and are off-centre. Even though in most cases this goes unnoticed, this condition when it becomes extreme is called a deviated septum.
A good symptom that signifies a deviated septum is a continual difficulty of breathing through the nose. A deviated septum is also a common cause for a case of the perpetual sniffles or a really bad case of snoring. The symptom usually worsens on one specific portion of the nasal passage or is particularly bad on the opposite side of the bend. In certain patients a severely off-centre septum can also hamper nasal drainage and be the cause for repeated inflammations of the sinus or sinusitis.
The following are a more detailed list of symptoms. If you have one or more of the following you could in line to be diagnosed with a deviated septum.
One or both nostrils being blocked
Chronic nasal congestion, sometimes confined to only one nasal passage
Propensity for nosebleeds
Recurrent sinus infections
Inexplicable facial pain and headaches
A constant postnasal drip
In extreme cases snoring otherwise loud breathing during sleep (this is especially true in babies and little children)
The favored surgical solution to rectify a deviated septum is known as Septoplasty. This is a relatively simple procedure and can be done both under local and general anesthesia.
As the deviation in question is a result of a surfeit of bone or cartlage in the septum the procedure involves the elimination of all excess tissue mass. While operating the surgeon makes an incision in the septum lining working through the nostril and begins excising, leaving only a small portion to act as structural support. The Septum is then stabilized using a variety of artificial material like plastic splints tubes or sutures.
Septoplasty is not generally carried out on minors, as the septum keeps growing until maturity at age 18.