Septoplasty Q&A
73%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
64 Reviews
Septoplastybefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Septoplasty Cost: $3,650

Learn about Septoplasty

387 people and 221 doctors are talking about Septoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Is This a Sign of a Deviated Septum (Symptoms: Lack of Sleep) ?

asked 1 year ago by Malachi in London
Latest answer by Shepherd G. Pryor, MD
Question viewed 256 times
Tags: crooked, breathing, injury, sleep

Hi, I'm a 19 year old male from London. I recieved a strong blow to my nose about 4 years ago causing it to be crooked and deviated. When I breathe, airflow only comes out of one nostril at any one time. This confuses me as throughout the day, the nostril which is 'working' will change between the left and the right. I have serious issues sleeping and wonder if it is my nose..When I feel my septum, it definatley follows the same pattern in which my nose is deviated to the left hand side. Thanks.

3 answers to Is This a Sign of a Deviated Septum (Symptoms: Lack of Sleep) ?

+2

Deviated septum

The septum is the main supporting area of the middle of your nose. It is not only a divider between the two sides but also a pedestal upon which rests the external portion of your nose. Because of the 3 dimensional relationship it has when a blow to the nose occurs it is common for both an anterior and posterior deformity to occur on either side. Imagine taking a piece of paper, end - on, and forming an S shape out of it. It will bend to the right on the one side and... more
Shepherd G. Pryor, MD

Scottsdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breathing difficult through nose since trauma

Exactly...what you describe is the normal nasal cycle where for a couple of hours, the turbinates inside your nose swell on one side to warm and humidify the air. This cycles to the other, side of the nose, and so on back and forth. Since your nose was hit and you since have breathing issues, it's a good bet that part of your nasal septum is crooked and sticking out into one or both sides of your nose (nostrils) reducing the airflow space. This can and should be... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Deviated septum

Quality of breathing alternating from side to side is a common observation of the "nasal cycle". It is caused by alternating swelling and shrinking of the turbinate tissue (spongy membrane on the sides of the nose) which are constantly reacting to environmental changes. Severe septal deviations create blockages which do not vary so much since they are due to a "fixed" obstruction-deviated bone or cartilage. It will be further exacerbated during the swelling of the cycle... more
Michael L. Schwartz, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question