Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Saadet Demir
A deviated septum happens when the thin wall between your nasal passages shifts. This makes one passage smaller than the other. It’s a common issue that can cause breathing problems and stuffy noses. Do I have a deviated septum? Learn the key signs and symptoms of a crooked nasal wall that requires a doctor’s diagnosis.
Knowing how to spot a deviated septum is key to getting the right help. At Liv Hospital, we offer detailed care to figure out if you have this problem. Our experts will help you with self-checks and professional tests to make sure you get the right treatment.
To understand a deviated septum, we first need to know about the nasal septum. The nasal septum is a wall made of cartilage and bone. It divides the nasal passages into two sides. Ideally, it’s centered, but often it’s not.
The nasal septum supports the nose. It’s made of cartilage and bone. A thin mucous membrane covers it, warming and humidifying the air we breathe. A straight septum is key for easy breathing.
A deviated septum means the nasal septum is off-center. This makes one passage smaller than the other. The Mayo Clinic says this can cause breathing problems and other respiratory issues. It can happen due to genetics, injury, or developmental issues.
Studies show many people have a deviated septum. About 80 percent of people have some degree of deviation. Not everyone shows symptoms, but it’s common enough to be important to know about.
Prevalence | Symptoms | Impact on Quality of Life |
Approximately 80% | Breathing difficulties, nasal obstruction | Significant impact for some, minimal for others |
Varied | Snoring, sleep disturbances | Can affect sleep quality and daily functioning |
Knowing about the nasal septum and deviated septums helps with diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing symptoms can lead to better health and a better life.
There are many reasons why someone might have a deviated septum. It can happen at birth or because of an injury. The Mayo Clinic explains that a deviated septum can be caused by a birth condition or a nose injury.
Issues with how the nasal septum develops in the womb are a big reason for deviated septums. If the nasal septum doesn’t form right, a deviated septum can occur at birth.
A congenital deviated septum happens when the nasal septum doesn’t line up right in the womb. This can be because of genes or things that happen during pregnancy.
Many people are born with some kind of septal deviation. Scientists don’t know all the reasons, but they think genes and the environment play a part.
Birth trauma can also cause a deviated septum. The birth process can be tough, and it might hurt the nasal septum.
Research shows that babies who have a hard time being born or need help with forceps are more likely to have a deviated septum.
Getting hurt in the nose is another way to get a deviated septum. This can happen from accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
People who play contact sports or have had nose injuries before are more likely to get a deviated septum from an injury.
Cause | Description | Risk Factors |
Congenital Development Issues | Nasal septum not properly aligned during fetal development | Genetic factors, environmental influences during pregnancy |
Birth-Related Trauma | Nasal septum damaged during delivery | Difficult delivery, use of instruments like forceps |
Injury and Physical Trauma | Nasal septum deviated due to physical injury | Contact sports, history of nasal trauma |
Knowing why someone has a deviated septum helps figure out how to treat it. Whether it’s from birth or an injury, seeing a doctor is key to feeling better and living better.
Knowing the signs of a deviated septum is key to solving breathing problems and other issues. A deviated septum can cause many symptoms that affect your life a lot.
One common symptom is trouble breathing through the nose, often on one side. This can lead to chronic nasal congestion, making it hard to breathe.
The Cleveland Clinic says a badly deviated septum can cause breathing issues and congestion. This congestion can last a long time, affecting your daily life and comfort.
Sleep problems are common with a deviated septum. The blockage can cause mouth breathing, disrupting sleep. Snoring is also common, as the blocked airflow makes throat tissues vibrate.
A deviated septum can make you more likely to get sinus infections. This is because of the abnormal airflow and pressure in the nasal passages. This can lead to chronic sinusitis, with persistent sinus pressure and infection.
Nosebleeds (epistaxis) and facial pain are symptoms too. The dry air can dry out and crack the nasal mucosa, causing nosebleeds. Facial pain comes from the pressure and congestion of a deviated septum.
Symptom | Description | Impact on Daily Life |
Breathing Difficulties | Nasal obstruction causing difficulty breathing through the nose | Affects daily activities, sleep, and overall comfort |
Sleep Disturbances | Disrupted sleep patterns due to nasal obstruction and mouth breathing | Leads to fatigue, decreased productivity |
Recurring Sinus Infections | Increased risk of sinus infections due to abnormal airflow | Causes persistent sinus pressure, infection, and discomfort |
It’s important to know these symptoms to identify a deviated septum and get treatment. If you’re experiencing several symptoms, see a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
You can start by checking for a deviated septum yourself. These simple steps can give you an idea if your nasal problems might be due to a deviated septum.
Use a mirror to look inside your nose. Shine a light into your nostrils to see the nasal septum. You’ll need a good light and a mirror that lets you see inside your nostrils well.
Try breathing through one nostril while closing the other. See if it’s hard to breathe. This can show if one nostril is harder to breathe through. Do the same with the other nostril to compare.
Keep a record of your symptoms. Write down when you have nasal congestion, trouble breathing, or sinus infections. This can help you see if your symptoms might be from a deviated septum.
While these steps can be helpful, they’re not a full diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic says a doctor must check you to confirm a deviated septum. So, if you think you might have one, see a doctor for a proper check-up.
Checking for a deviated septum at home is simple. Follow this guide to learn about your nasal anatomy and breathing. This can help you understand any breathing issues you might have.
Start by making sure you’re in a quiet, comfy spot. Clear your nose by gently blowing it. This step is key for getting accurate results.
Close one nostril with your finger and breathe through the other. Do this for both sides. This test, like the single-nostril breathing test, shows airflow differences.
Do the single-nostril breathing test on both sides again. If one nostril has much less airflow, it might mean you have a deviated septum. This method can spot issues.
Symptom | Normal Septum | Deviated Septum |
Airflow Difference | Minimal | Noticeable |
Breathing Difficulty | Rare | Common |
Nasal Obstruction | None | Frequent |
Write down what you find. This helps track changes and gives info for a doctor if needed. Note any airflow differences, discomfort, or symptoms.
By following these steps, you can do a deviated septum self-test well. If you think you have a deviated septum or have ongoing symptoms, see a doctor for a proper check-up.
Self-assessment can give you clues, but a doctor’s diagnosis is key to confirm a deviated septum. They can also guide you on the best treatment.
Certain symptoms mean you should see a doctor right away. These include:
The Mayo Clinic says a doctor diagnoses a deviated septum with a physical exam. If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, it’s vital to seek medical help quickly.
For a deviated septum, see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or an otolaryngologist. To find a good specialist:
It’s important to research and choose a specialist with experience in deviated septums.
The specialist will examine your nasal passages thoroughly. This may include:
A professional examination is key to understanding your condition’s severity and finding the right treatment.
Diagnostic tools for a deviated septum include:
Diagnostic Tool | Purpose |
Nasal Endoscopy | To visually examine the nasal passages and sinuses |
CT Scan | To provide detailed images of the nasal septum and surrounding structures |
Acoustic Rhinometry | To measure the nasal passage’s geometry and assess airflow |
As noted by medical professionals,
“A thorough diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective treatment for a deviated septum.”
Knowing the diagnostic process helps you prepare for your appointment and make informed decisions about your care.
Nasal conditions like nasal polyps, allergies, and chronic sinusitis can look like a deviated septum. This makes it hard to figure out what’s wrong on your own. Knowing the signs of each condition is key to getting the right help.
Nasal polyps grow in the nasal passages and can block your nose and reduce your sense of smell. They are different from a deviated septum because they are often caused by long-term inflammation and allergies.
Key differences:
Allergies can make your nose stuffy, make you sneeze, and itch your eyes. These symptoms are similar to those of a deviated septum. But allergies also make your nose and throat itch.
“Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that can be confused with a deviated septum due to similar symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment.”
Cleveland Clinic
Chronic sinusitis is when your sinuses stay inflamed, causing stuffy nose, facial pain, and thick discharge. While a deviated septum can make sinusitis worse, they are not the same thing.
Condition | Primary Symptoms | Common Causes |
Deviated Septum | Nasal obstruction, nosebleeds | Trauma, congenital |
Chronic Sinusitis | Nasal congestion, facial pain | Infection, inflammation |
Turbinate hypertrophy is when the turbinate bones in your nose get bigger. This can block your nose and might need its own treatment, even if you have a deviated septum.
It’s important to know the differences between these nasal conditions to get the right treatment. If you have ongoing nasal problems, see a doctor for help.
There are many ways to treat a deviated septum, from non-surgical methods to surgery. Surgery is often needed to fix a deviated septum. But, non-surgical options can help ease symptoms.
Non-surgical methods can help with a deviated septum. These include:
The Mayo Clinic says medicines can help symptoms but don’t fix the septum. These treatments are good for those with mild symptoms or who can’t have surgery.
Surgery is often the best way to fix a deviated septum. The main surgery is septoplasty. It aims to straighten the septum and improve breathing.
Procedure | Purpose | Benefits |
Septoplasty | To correct a deviated septum and improve airflow | Improved breathing, reduced nasal congestion |
Rhinoplasty | To reshape the nose for cosmetic or functional reasons | Enhanced appearance, potentially improved breathing |
Rhinoplasty might be done with septoplasty if there are looks or breathing issues.
After septoplasty or rhinoplasty, it’s important to follow recovery and care steps. This includes:
It’s key to follow your healthcare provider’s advice for a smooth recovery.
Medical treatments aren’t the only way to improve breathing. Lifestyle changes can also help. These include:
By making these lifestyle changes and getting the right medical treatment, people with a deviated septum can live better.
Knowing you have a deviated septum is key to feeling better. We’ve looked at why it happens, what symptoms it causes, and how doctors find it. This knowledge helps people get the right treatment and feel better.
A deviated septum can really mess with your daily life. It can make it hard to sleep and feel good overall. Doctors say it’s important to get it checked and treated right.
Handling a deviated septum means taking steps yourself and getting help from doctors. We talked about different ways to manage it, like not needing surgery or needing surgery like septoplasty. The right treatment can make a big difference in how you feel.
In short, understanding and spotting a deviated septum is vital. This article shows why seeing a doctor is important if you’re not feeling right.
A deviated septum is when the thin wall between the nasal passages is off-center. This makes one side smaller than the other.
Studies show that a deviated septum is quite common. It’s estimated that up to 80% of people have some degree of septal deviation.
Signs of a deviated septum include trouble breathing and nasal congestion. You might also snore, have sinus infections, nosebleeds, or facial pain.
While you can try to check yourself, only a doctor can confirm a deviated septum. They will do a thorough check.
To test for a deviated septum, start by getting ready. Then, check each nostril separately. Compare the airflow and note your findings.
For a deviated septum, you can try non-surgical methods like nasal strips or decongestants. If needed, surgery like septoplasty or rhinoplasty might be suggested.
To tell a deviated septum from other nasal issues, see a doctor. They can do a detailed check and make a proper diagnosis.
At a doctor’s visit, they will examine you, look at your medical history, and might use tools like nasal endoscopy. This helps them see the nasal passages and check for a deviated septum.
Yes, sometimes a deviated septum can be managed without surgery. But in severe cases, surgery might be needed to fix the issue and improve breathing.
If you have ongoing nasal problems or breathing issues, see a doctor or an ENT specialist. They can give you the right advice and help.
Baugh, R. F., Archer, S. M., Mitchell, R. B., Rosenfeld, R. M., Amin, R.,侧. R., . . . Witsell, D. L. (2011). Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 144(1 Suppl), S1-S30. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599810389949