Septal Deviation: Knowing About This Could Help You Breathe Better

Septal Deviation: Knowing About This Could Help You Breathe Better

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You went to consult a doctor to discuss your breathing problems but ended up listening to a host of new terms many of which remain indigestible. What on earth is septal deviation? And more importantly what is septoplasty surgery that the doctor recommended?

First of all, relax. There is no cause for alarm. All you need to do is to learn the meanings of some terms that the doctor has used to describe your condition and also suggest a remedial course of action. Knowing about them could also help you understand why you have breathing problems and how easy it is to treat them also. Let us tackle the issues one at a time.

What is septal deviation?

You have so far looked at your nose from outside. However, inside the nose there is a thin line of demarcation that separates the nostrils into two halves "" the left and the right nostrils. This dividing line, a soft and bony cartilage, covered by mucus membrane on either side is called the "septum".

While the septum is supposed to divide the nostrils into two equal halves, normally it does not. In stead, the septum is "deviated" or inclined resulting in one nostril becoming narrower than its counterpart. This condition is called septal deviation.

Though this type of septal deviation is a common phenomenon, it usually goes unnoticed if the deviation is not major. However, if the septum is seriously inclined on one side, it can result in a host of problems including snoring, frequent sinus infections, and more.

Septoplasty surgery: What is it?

Septoplasty surgery is the name of the surgical procedure performed to rectify septal deviation. In fact this is the only way, a deviated septum can be corrected and the septum repositioned. This surgery is done by an ENT surgeon who essentially straightens the misaligned deviated septum and restores normal breathing.

Not lasting more than two hours, septoplasty surgery can be performed with either local or general anesthesia in a day-care center in the outpatient department in a clinic.

During the procedure, depending on the need of the patient, the doctor may decide to do correct the septal deviation by either trimming or straightening the bent bone and cartilage. Mucosa is then replaced after the surgery is completed.

Deviated septum surgery recovery: what you need to know

Septoplasty surgery is perhaps the third most common head and neck surgery in the US. Despite its popularity, there are still some risks involved including septal perforation, bleeding, alteration in the shape of the nose as well as sense of smell, etc.

During the deviated septum surgery recovery period, you could expect some amount of pain and inflammation inside the nasal cavity. At times septal deviation tends to get back to the original state. During the recovery period your nose might be stuffed with cotton or soft gauze. These are needed for the septum to heal and get repositioned in the new setting. Accept the fact that you would have to live with such nasal stuffing for the next 3 to 5 days.

Like any other nasal surgery, surgery for septal deviation also involves pain and discomfort. But all these after effects subside with time and the right kinds of post-surgery medication.

About the Author:
Marc MacDonald is an independent researcher who has spent considerable time and effort in studying and collating information about health-related concerns, specifically focused on sleep and nutrition.

He has written innumerable research reports on particular subjects like somnoplasty, becoming a vegetarian, becoming vegan, eating raw food, septal deviation, snoring remedies, and good night sleep techniques.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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