What is Septum Deviation?
The nose is the area located in the middle of the face and forms the focal point. The nose, medically known as septumnasale, is like a tunnel divided in half. We can talk about nasal health if these two tunnels are close to each other in width and length. These two parts, divided into two by the middle wall of the nose, are covered with a thin and membranous layer. There is cartilage in the back, front and upper parts of this layer, and a bone wall in the lower back parts.
A healthy nose begins to expand from the back of the stenosis in the front entrance hole. Exactly at this point, if there is any problem in the nasal tunnel from the entrance to the exit, problems with breathing, which is our basic life function, occur. The most common cause of this condition, which prevents air passage through the nasal tunnel, is the protrusion and bump formed by the middle wall of the nose. This protrusion and bump occurs in a structure called septum, which consists of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity into two.
The purpose of the septum is to divide the nasal cavity into two equal structures and to ensure systematic breathing through these two air channels. Curvatures that occur in this systematic and functional structure of the septum for various reasons are called septum deviation. In septum deviation, an obstruction occurs as a result of the middle wall of the nose shifting from the midline. Septum deviation is also known as nasal bone curvature.
Septum deviation causes the imbalance of the air spaces that perform systematic and alternating functions in the nose, thus causing various problems related to breathing.
Why Does Septum Deviation Occur?
The middle wall of the nose, along with other structures in the nose, begins to develop from the womb, and cartilage-bone development in the nose continues until the age of 18. Until the development of the nasal cartilage is completed, blows to this area, trauma resulting from blows, or congenital problems with the anatomical structure of the nose may cause septum deviation.
If we list these reasons;
-Hereditary presence of a nasal hump
-Hereditary asymmetry in the nose or nostrils
-Sliding of the bone as a result of blows to the nose area, and deformities in the shape of the nose due to trauma
What are the Symptoms of Septum Deviation?
-Headache; As a result of the nose not being able to perform its basic function of breathing, a healthy oxygen intake cannot be achieved, and ligament pain occurs in the body.
-Nasal drip; As a result of the congestion in the middle area of the nose, the systems in the nasal area are damaged. Postnasal drip also negatively affects the quality and density of the fluid produced regularly in the nose, and as a result of this situation, postnasal drip occurs.
-Chronic or frequent sinusitis; It is one of the most obvious symptoms of septum deviation. One of the problems that may occur in the respiratory tract as a result of not breathing properly is sinusitis.
-Frequent nosebleeds; It occurs as a result of congestion in the middle area of the nose, and bleeding in the nose often occurs as a sign that the nasal area cannot perform its respiratory function in a healthy way.
-Congestion in the nasal tunnels; It is mostly a case of single-channel obstruction and discharge due to obstruction.
Situations Requiring Surgery in Septum Deviation
Septum deviation affects 70% of the population on average. It is observed at a rate close to -80. A mild septal deviation may not be noticed as it will not affect the person's life much. However, if the septum deviation is severe or present in several regions (for example, S-shaped deviation), it can affect the person's normal life and cause serious health problems along with respiratory problems.
Loss of comfort and effort; People with a deviated septum breathe through their mouth, especially during night sleep, and experience dry mouth as a result. This actually means that the basic function of the nose, which is to clean the air and balance it according to body temperature, cannot be performed. It comes to. Therefore, the air taken through the mouth goes to the lungs, and this causes the lungs to make more effort for breathing. ;
Performance loss and health problems; Respiration is the basic function of taking in oxygen, which ensures the healthy functioning of the entire system in the body. Healthy breathing is the basis for a healthy body system functioning. Accordingly, septal deviation may cause symptoms such as general fatigue and ongoing headaches. General fatigue and ongoing headaches make loss of performance inevitable.
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