Deviated Septum

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A deviated septum is a condition in which the nasal septum -- the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose in half -- is significantly off center, or crooked, making breathing difficult. Most people have some sort of imbalance in the size of their breathing passages. In fact, estimates indicate that 80% of people, most unknowingly, have some sort of misalignment to their nasal septum. Only the more severe imbalances cause significant breathing problems and require treatment.

Some people are born with a deviated septum. Other people develop a deviated septum after injury or trauma to the nose.

The most common symptom of a deviated septum is nasal congestion, with one side of the nose being more congested than the other, along with difficulty breathing. Recurrent or repeated sinus infections can also be a sign of a deviated septum. Other symptoms include frequent:

• nosebleeds
  
  
• facial pain
  
  
• headache
  
  
• postnasal drip
  
  
• loud breathing and snoring during sleep
  
  

A deviated septum may also cause sleep apnea, a serious condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep.

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