Causes of Deviated SeptumYou may have deviated septum without knowing it as the causes and symptoms associated with deviated septum are many. Mostly people with deviated septum experience breathing difficulties and nasal congestion – but these symptoms are not always associated with deviated septum in some individuals.Many people approach ENT specialist and ENT surgeon when they encounter recurrent infections, cold, sinus and nasal issues.
Deviated septum is a term used to describe a condition in which the nasal septum (the bone and cartilage that separates nasal cavity) has become off centre. Which means, the nasal septum is displaced to one side. In most of the cases, people with deviated septum may have sleeping and breathing difficulties.
What are the causes of Deviated septum?
Congenital: Deviated septum is a disorder present at birth. During fetal development the nasal septum can deviate from its normal position to one side resulting in deviated septum that becomes apparent at birth.
Nose Injury: Nasal septum can move away from its normal position due to a blow to the nose or nasal injury. The injury can occur to an infant during childbirth. In children, deviated septum may result due to different types of injuries and accidents including falls, colliding while playing, colliding with friends while running, colliding with mirrors, tripping on steps, playing games with other children, etc. In adults, deviated septum may be due to injuries and trauma to the nose. Severe nose injury or trauma to the nose mostly occurs when both children and adults are actively involved in sports or play – especially the contact sports. Another major cause of nose injury is automobile accidents and roughhousing.
Aging process: A deviated septum without any apparent symptoms can become worst over a period of time due to the normal aging process. The typical nasal structures may get affected by the normal aging process; and, due to rhino-sinusitis or developing rhinitis, the narrowed nasal passages from an off centered septum further narrow down the affected passages – which cause nasal obstruction.
What are the Risk factors?
The risk factors for deviated septum include not wearing proper headgear while playing high risk contact sports; driving bicycles and bikes without wearing a proper helmet, driving four-wheeler without fastening seat-belts and playing high-risk games without taking proper precautions.
What are the consequences of deviated septum?
The major effects of deviated septum include severe nasal congestion, feeling of pressure in the nose and breathing difficulties during sleep.An individual with a deviated septum and nasal blockage may resort to mouth breathing during sleep, which may lead to dry mouth. Blockages in the nasal canal block normal airflow, which eventually leads to uncomfortable breathing and disturbed and unpleasant sleep at night.
How to prevent a deviated septum?
The trauma and injuries caused to the nose can be prevented by taking some precautions as given below:Wear a helmet when driving a bike or scooter.Fasten seatbelt as soon as you sit in a car or a four-wheeler.Wear a midface mask or helmet while playing contact sports.Don’t participate in high-risk sports unless you have proper protective gears.