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Deviated Nasal Septum
Definition
A deviated septum is an abnormal condition in which the top of the cartilaginous ridge leans to the left or the right, causing obstruction of the affected nasal passage. The condition can result in poor drainage of the sinuses.
Causes of Deviated Nasal Septum
The following are some of the casues of Deviated Nasal Septum:
- impact trauma, such as by a blow to the face,
- congenital disorder, caused by compression of the nose during childbirth.
- Deviated septum is associated with genetic connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Symptoms of Deviated Nasal Septum
The following are some of the casues of Deviated Nasal Septum:
The septal deviation may be severe enough to obstruct the passage of air through the nostrils. This obstruction may predispose the patient to sinusitis, infection and epistaxis (nose bleeds)
Patients can also complain of difficulty breathing, headaches, bloody noses, or of sleeping disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea.
Treatment of Deviated Nasal Septum
The following are some of the casues of Deviated Nasal Septum:
In most cases a deviated septum can be corrected with a minor surgical procedure known as a septoplasty, in which the surgeon enters through the nostrils and cuts away the obtruding matter. The surgery is performed quickly (it takes around 1 hour) but the patient may take anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks to heal completely.
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