what health problems can a deviated septum cause?

Question

If you have a deviated septum is it just 1 of your nostrils thats always blocked off?

or can it switch.. like your left nostril is blocked off then it switches to your right nostril?

Answer 1

Symptoms vary from person to person, depending upon the severity of the deviation. Some only experience symptoms when they have a cold or other respiratory infection, and symptoms are usually worse on one side of the nose than the other. Symptoms include:

Blockage of one or both nostrils
Nasal congestion
Frequent nosebleeds
Frequent or chronic sinus infections
Sinus pain

Answer 2

A deviated septum may cause one or more of the following: Blockage of one or both nostrils Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided Frequent nosebleeds Frequent sinus infections At times, facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip Noisy breathing during sleep (in infants and young children) In some cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum has symptoms only when he or she also has a "cold" (an upper respiratory tract infection). In these individuals, the respiratory infection triggers nasal inflammation that temporarily amplifies any mild airflow problems related to the deviated septum. Once the "cold" resolves, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a deviated septum often resolve, too.

Answer 3

great question! I was told that I had a deviated septum and the doctor wants to do surgery. Mostly, my right nostril is blocked, but it does seem to switch. I wonder too if their are long term health problems if I don't go though with the surgery like there is in people with sleep apnea (eg. daytime fatigue, etc.)

Answer 4

Don't know about the switching but obviously it does get blocked. I've known 2 people with it and both had same issues. Post nasal drip and issues breathing from that nostril .Nothing that they can't live with, but annoying.....

Answer 5

Let's not forget the dreaded snoring. RN in Ca.

Answer 6

usually its just one.