Do you wake up with a dry mouth, struggle to breathe through one side of your nose or feel congested even when you are not sick? A deviated septum may be contributing to these symptoms. Breathing through your nose should feel natural and effortless. But for many people, a crooked or shifted nasal septum can make it difficult to get the airflow they need—leading to ongoing congestion, trouble sleeping, mouth breathing or the frustrating feeling that one side of the nose is always blocked. At Faith Health Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), our specialists, Justin Oltman, MD, and Eric Rohe, MD, help patients identify the cause of their symptoms and explore treatment options. Those may include septoplasty, a procedure designed to correct a deviated septum and improve nasal airflow. What is a deviated septum? The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the left and right sides of the nose. When the septum is shifted or crooked, it is known as a deviated septum. Some people are born with this condition, while others develop it after an injury or trauma to the nose. A mild deviation may not cause noticeable problems, but a more significant deviation can restrict airflow and contribute to ongoing nasal symptoms. Signs you may have a deviated septum A deviated septum may contribute to symptoms that affect daily comfort, sleep and overall quality of life. Common symptoms may include: • Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils. • Frequent nasal congestion. • Chronic mouth breathing. • Snoring or disrupted sleep. • Recurrent sinus infections. • Facial pressure or headaches. • Frequent nosebleeds. Because nasal symptoms can have many causes, our ENT specialists can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms. Some patients find relief with treatments such as nasal sprays, allergy Breathe easier What you need to know about deviated septum treatment and septoplasty 6 Faith Health
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