Do I have a deviated septum? If yes, how severe is it and is there a way to fix it without surgery? (photos)

Question

i'm 17/f, Asian. sometimes i can only breathe with one nostril and i have to open my mouth in order to sleep. sorry about the acne scars

Sean R. Weiss, MD, FACS · Answer

based on your photograph it is not possible to tell what the status of your nasal septum is.  Your symptoms of nasal obstruction could be related to a deviated septum, but this can only be decided upon by looking inside the nose or with imaging.  If the septum is deviated, non surgical options would involve medications to decrease nasal congestion and inflammation.  If medications do not work, then surgical correction of the septum and possibly other structures that affect the nasal airway would be needed.  Begin by visiting with a surgeon who is experienced with rhinoplasty, septoplasty and the functional nasal airway.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

An intranasal exam (inside your nose) would be necessary to determine the severity of your septal deviation.  The only effective, permanent way to straighten a deviated septum is with a surgery: septoplasty.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Although a Deviated Septum May Cause Mouth Breathing there are also other causes such as swelling of your soft tissues on the side of your nasal breathing passages (inferior turbinates), enlarged tonsils and adenoids, etc. An exam of the inside of your nose is required to understand the cause. If it is a deviated septum then surgery is required to fix it.

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Pielover9686:

From what
I see here, without any other views, based on your history of not being able to
breathe, it seems to be that you do, indeed, have a deviated septum inside your nose, just
leaning to the side where you cannot breath.There is no non-surgical option to correct that problem. If you are having trouble sleeping, that is
misery and you really ought to have it corrected. There is no reason to suffer. If you are happy with the outside of your nose, the inside
can be done separately. You can have rhinoplasty during the same surgical session if you wish to improve the appearance of your nose.The most common procedure to restore healthy breathing is a nasal septoplasty
and turbinate resection to further improve the airway. It is all done internally with no external incisions. All stitches dissolve. It is a great operation done hundreds of
thousands of times a year in the United States. It is one of the 10 most common operations performed in many surgical
centers.

You need
a consultation with a nasal surgeon who is very experienced in correcting
internal nasal blockage. A full exam
will include looking into the back of the nose, making sure there are no other
issues.Some people are actually born
with a narrow nasal passage, and that needs to be ruled out as a cause.

The most
important mission is to have a complete and thorough consultation and have the
procedure explained to you. Recovery is
prompt with little discomfort.

Best
wishes,

Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS

Do I have a deviated septum? If yes, how severe is it and is there a way to fix it without surgery? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Non-surgical rhinoplasty will not be helpful. You need nasal septoplasty and perhaps rhinoplasty.

Answer: Non-surgical rhinoplasty will not be helpful. You need nasal septoplasty and perhaps rhinoplasty.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Nonsurgical Nose Job

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Do I have a deviated septum? If yes, how severe is it and is there a way to fix it without surgery? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Non-surgical rhinoplasty will not be helpful. You need nasal septoplasty and perhaps rhinoplasty.

Answer: Non-surgical rhinoplasty will not be helpful. You need nasal septoplasty and perhaps rhinoplasty.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Nonsurgical Nose Job

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.