Those who have a severely deviated septum may notice a change in the shape of their nose
Ranbir Kapoor recently opened up about having a deviated septum—a nasal condition that makes him talk and eat very fast. The 42-year-old actor said over the years he has learnt to live with his condition, which according to doctors can develop following a nose injury.
A deviated septum happens when the bone and cartilage that divide your nasal cavity become off-center between the two nostrils. The misalignment can partially block one or both nasal passages, leading to various symptoms and complications.
How does a deviated septum impact your health?
Doctors say more than 80 per cent of people have a nasal septum deviation, which most people do not even realise since they do not have symptoms. But for some, a deviated septum can cause breathing issues and even severe headaches.
According to experts, even though the minor condition may not cause any complications at all, a severely deviated septum develops many complications like sinus, perpetual nasal congestion, and extremely dry mouth, which can lead to infections.
Signs and symptoms of deviated septum
Those who have a severely deviated septum may notice a change in the shape of their nose, along with a few other symptoms like:
- Difficulty breathing from one or both nostrils
- Severe headaches
- Pain in the face
- Nasal congestion
- Noisy breathing
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Chronic sinusitis
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
What causes a deviated septum?
An injury to your nose can lead to deviated septum. A few other causes include:
- Playing contact sports
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Fighting and physical altercations
While some people are born with nasal septum deviation due to difficult births, the condition can also be a result of normal development. As your nose grows, your septum also grows and can sometimes lean toward one side.
How can you self-diagnose a deviated septum?
To find out if you have a deviated septum, you can check out:
- Lean your head back and look into a mirror. If you see that your nostrils look uneven or in different sizes, you may have a deviated septum.
- Use your finger and hold one of your nostrils closed. Then breathe and notice the air flow. If it is difficult to breathe, you may have the condition.
Doctors say the test can be a helpful self-test tool, but for a proper diagnosis, you must see your doctor.
How can you treat the condition?
Experts say the treatment of deviated septum depends on the severity of the condition. Since most people do not have symptoms, they do not need any treatment. While mild symptoms can be treated with medicines, if you have serious breathing issues, you may need surgery.
A few over-the-counter medicines can help, which include:
- Nasal decongestants
- Nasal steroid sprays
- Antihistamines
Also, a common surgery for treating the condition, known as septoplasty, can be done to treat breathing troubles and recurrent sinus issues. In this, the surgeon would reshape your septum, which involves adding or removing bone and cartilage. Typically, septoplasty is an outpatient procedure, and it takes just around 30-90 minutes to complete.
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