Could a deviated septum and overgrown turbinate cause difficulty breathing & a brain freeze feeling when breathing in? (Photo)

Question

I was told by my ENT that my septum is deviated and that the turbinate has grown into that space. Its difficult to breathe especially when I exercise and work (work in healthcare and wear a mask). I feel like I'm getting a "brain freeze" sometimes, is this because of the turbinate? I also find i get a lot of redness around my nose and sores within my nostrils. Would a septoplasty help fix these issues? Also, I am unhappy with the appearance of my nose & interested in a rhinoplasty as well.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us.The harmony between facial parts makes us instinctively recognize the beauty... without knowing it, without defining it, just a perception that surprises and captivates us.In this regard, I suggest perform a Closed Rhinoplasty (without visible scars) to treat the tip, base and nasal bridge.With this procedure you get a delicate nose, better harmonize with your other facial features.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Clark Schierle, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Rhinoplasty to address the size and shape of your nose and improve your breathing should help you address your concerns. You have to understand that there is no such thing as the “perfect” nose. As rhinoplasty surgeons, we are able to improve the structure and function of the nose to address specific issues you have with how your nose looks and and how well you can breathe. Perfect symmetry does not exist in nature. Attempts to improve the symmetry of your nose should be aimed at achieving an improvement in your asymmetry to the point where it is no longer very noticeable. If you look carefully enough, you will always be able to find imperfections. The goal is a normal looking nose that is in harmony with the rest of your anatomy.

Bahman Guyuron, MD · Answer

A septoplasty is likely to improve the breathing and often helps the sinus headaches and even migraine headaches that start from behind the eyes. It is often a simple, 30 minutes procedure under general anesthesia.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A deviated septum can often be made straighter, but it might not become perfectly straight because the cartilage has memory.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A Cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional nasal surgery are two completely separate operations, but both can be performed at same time under the same anesthetic with a same recovery period. Expect  to pay for the cosmetic component yourself,  and the functional  breathing component surgery can be billed to patient's medical insurance, once medical necessity has been documented.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear tnt2285,

Thank you for your clinical post.  Your previous post with the aesthetic
concerns and issues around your nasofacial balance and proportion specifically
with a nasal bump, bulbous tip and asymmetrical nostrils.  In all probability, there has been a
hypertrophy and overgrowth of your septum with septal deviation.  The turbinates have also undergone unilateral
or bilateral hypertrophy to fill the empty space and you have a nasal airflow
obstruction either from the anatomical derangement of the septum and turbinate
or from internal nasal valve collapse.  I
am sure with your ear, nose and throat surgeon a thorough endonasal examination
was performed and the diagnosis is quite accurate.  Reduction rhinoplasty with septoplasty and
reduction of your turbinates may well not only improve your appearance, but
improve your nasal airflow obstruction symptomatology.  Because nasal airflow is also perception of
the brain sometimes improving airflow does not necessarily improve the
perception of obstructive symptomatology.

The sores you experience are generally as a result of
staphylococcal infection at the base of the hair follicles in your nasal
vestibule.  Sometimes the staphylococcal
organisms can be resistant oral antibiotics and a culture of these sores is
necessary and topical or oral antibiotics.

I think you have a good chance for a very nice cosmetic and
functional improvement.  Carefully seek
out consultations and experienced septorhinoplasty surgeons, certified facial
plastic ear, nose, throat and plastic surgeons.

I would definitely include computer analysis of the probably
aesthetic outcome at the time of that consultation in order to make the proper
decision.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

For more information, please review the link below. Also take
the time to review the sections on septoplasty.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Mark Loury, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thanks for sharing yourconcerns. A deviated septum and enlarged turbinate will cause nasal congestion that could improve with surgery. The intranasal sores are more likely to be from Staph infection of the hair follicles and not from the septum. Therefore nasal surgery unlikely to help. Since you work in health care you are at risk for MRSA nasal colonization so I'd suggest a culture. It usually responds to a topical antibiotic such as muciprocin. Not sure why the brain freeze sensation and would need to know more such as location and duration. It may be from cooling if breathing too hard through your nose.  Septal and turbinate surgery can be combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty. Talk to your ENT about your cosmetic concerns. Hope this answer addresses your questions

Could a deviated septum and overgrown turbinate cause difficulty breathing & a brain freeze feeling when breathing in? (Photo)

Answers (7)

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