Why can’t you breathe through your nose: Part I – Deviated septum
If you have trouble breathing through your nose, there may be several causes; it’s important to seek out a qualified specialist for an expert evaluation. The nasal septum is the structure that separates the two nasal passages, provides support to the outside of the nose, and improves airflow dynamics inside the nose. It is made up of bone and cartilage and is lined with mucous membranes. If your septum is deviated, or bent, the direct physical obstruction of the nasal passages can cause difficulty breathing; a septum may be deviated from birth, deviate during normal development, and/or be caused by nasal/facial trauma. Patients may also experience an obstruction of their sinus openings from a deviated septum, resulting in a propensity to sinus infections. A deviated septum may also result in intermittent nose bleeding or a chronically runny nose.
During our consultation, I will thoroughly evaluate each part of the nose to come up with the best plan of care for your nasal obstruction. This may involve looking into your nose with a small endoscope to assess the internal anatomy of the nose in order to determine potential internal sources of the obstruction. I may also order a CT scan to more thoroughly assess the internal nasal structures including the septum, sinuses, and turbinates.
To correct a deviated septum, I will remove, contour, and/or strengthen portions of your nasal septal cartilage to stabilize the structure and improve the symmetry of the left and right nasal cavities. This procedure is most commonly performed under general anesthesia and can often be executed with incisions inside your nose, though occasionally a small incision between the nostrils is necessary.
Septoplasty, or the surgical correction of a deviated septum, is often performed at the same time as a functional and/or cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery, turbinate reduction, and/or sinus surgery. My training and experience as both a board-certified ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty gives me a unique and highly attuned perspective on the anatomy and appearance of the nose. When deciding on your nasal surgeon, you should choose a specialist who deeply understands this delicate interplay between nasal form and function.
Read more about septoplasty here.
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