Straightening Out the Facts About Deviated Septum in Hamden, CT

What Is a Deviated Septum?

The nasal septum is covered by a delicate mucous membrane rich in blood vessels, and when the septum is significantly crooked or displaced, it can narrow one or both sides of the nose. A mildly deviated septum may cause no issues at all, but a more severe deviation can lead to breathing difficulties and other persistent symptoms.

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum can be present from birth or develop naturally as you grow. Injury or trauma, such as a fall, sports impact, or accident, can also cause the septum to shift. Many people have no memory of an injury, even if trauma is the underlying cause.

Common Symptoms

A deviated septum can contribute to:

• Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Sinus infections due to poor drainage
• Noisy breathing during sleep (especially in infants and young children)
• Mouth-breathing at night in adults
• Some people also experience facial pressure, headaches, or a reduced sense of smell.

If any of these symptoms are affecting your quality of life, seeking a medical diagnosis to confirm your deviated septum or other nasal conditions is essential. Our experienced otolaryngologists diagnose and treat all types of nasal conditions. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, examine your nasal structure, and recommend the best course of care, whether medical management or surgical correction.

Treatment Options

Your provider will start with a thorough evaluation, discussing symptoms, reviewing your history, and examining both the inside and outside of your nose. Additional testing may be recommended if needed.

If conservative treatments don’t relieve symptoms and the deviation is significant, your ENT may recommend septoplasty, the surgical procedure used to straighten the septum.

What to Expect from Septoplasty

• Usually performed as an outpatient procedure
• Often completed in 1–1.5 hours
• Can be done under local or general anesthesia
• Performed through the nostrils, meaning no visible external incisions
• Deviated cartilage and bone may be removed or repositioned
• Can be combined with sinus surgery or rhinoplasty (which may cause temporary bruising or swelling)

Septoplasty is typically not performed in young children unless the deviation is severe, because facial structures are still developing.

Related Nasal Conditions

A deviated septum may be accompanied by other structural or functional nasal issues, such as:

• Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (enlarged turbinates)
• Concha bullosa (air-filled turbinate)
• Nasal valve collapse
• Chronic or recurrent sinusitis
• Contact-point headaches
• External nasal deformity
• Reduced sense of smell

Identifying these related conditions helps our team create a complete and effective treatment plan.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Could a deviated septum cause my symptoms?
• How severe is the deviation, and how does it affect my breathing?
• Are there other nasal or sinus conditions contributing to my congestion?
• What treatments, medical or surgical, would you recommend?
• What results can I expect from septoplasty?