Do I Have Nasal Septum Deviation? If I Do, Should I Have Surgery to Fix It?

asked 4 months ago by Arthur474
Latest answer by Ross A. Clevens, MD
Question viewed 186 times
Tags: crooked, bleeding, breathing problems, deviated septum

My right nostril bleeds very often, sometimes for no apparent reason at all. My nose is very slightly turned to the right (almost unnoticeable). My mom had nasal septum deviation. When I exhale through my nose much more air comes out of the right nostril than the left one, and if I block the right nostril when I inhale it's like my left nostril is congested, same thing when I exhale. I never broke my nose (at least not that I know). I think that's it. Thank you very much.

7 answers to Do I Have Nasal Septum Deviation? If I Do, Should I Have Surgery to Fix It?

Septal deviation

I would have to examine your nose to determine the cause of your nasal airway problem and bleeding. It may indeed be due to a septal deviation but other things such as enlarged turbinates and chronic allergy may lead to similar symptoms. See a board certified surgeon for an evaluation. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

How to tell if you have a septal deviation

Because a septal deviation is a fixed obstruction, it will always be present. Turbinate obstruction will vary throughout the day, switching from side to side. With nasal valve obstruction, you will see the outside of the nose collapse in when you breathe. Of course, you can have these things as an isolated problem or together. The best place to start is with someone that specializes in functional nasal surgery, not necessarily cosmetic. The two are different.... more

Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bleeding and nasal airway obstruction

Bleeding is usually caused by a site of chronic dryness and irritation. This can be caused by a deviation of the septum which leads to abnormal airflow patterns. This can also account for poor air movement through one side of your nose. See a board certified plastic surgeon for an examination. He/she may want to see a CT scan to fully evaluate the architecture of the nasal airway. In some cases the turbinate bones also are involved with nasal obstruction. more

Daniel Greenwald, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Deviated septum.

You may have deviated septum. This is determined by physical examination typically by an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck surgeon. Surgery is recommened only in situations where a diagnosis of deviated septum is confirmed and patient has substantial related symptoms.

Philip Solomon, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Possible Deviated Septum

A deviated nasal septum may have many possible signs and symptoms. The most common symptom is nasal obstruction or stuffy nasal breathing. Other signs include nosebleeds, congestion, sinusitis, snoring, headache and mouth breathing. There are a number of medical and surgical treatments that can aid this concern. These include antihistamines, decongestants, topical nasal steroid sprays, topical nasal antihistamine sprays, allergy shots in some patients and, finally, surgery for those who... more

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon

Deviated nasal septum and surgery

An evaluation by an ENT physician will determine if your breathing issues are due to a deviated septum and whether or not surgery is an option for you.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon