​Deviated Nasal Septum

The nasal septum is the bone and cartilage between your nostrils dividing the nasal cavity in two halves. As the name implies, in people with a ‘deviated’ nasal septum, the division of the nasal cavity is not uniform as the septum is significantly off-centre or crooked. Thus, the displaced septum affects the shape of your nasal cavities, and can block one side of your nose, which reduces airflow and affects breathing. 

Ideally, the nasal septum should be exactly midline so that both the left and right nasal passages are of the same size. However, it is estimated that approximately 80% of the people have misaligned nasal septum, mostly unknowingly. 

It is when the nasal septum is severely misaligned that complications with breathing arise. Nasal obstruction can also occur in the affected nasal passage due to inflammation of nasal tissues, which requires immediate medical attention. The displaced septum also affects the drainage of mucus from the sinuses, leading to recurring sinus infections.

Trauma or injury to the nose can displace the nasal septum, leading to this disorder. In other cases, a deviated nasal septum is a congenital disorder, which means some people may be born with a misaligned nasal septum or it may be the result of birth trauma.​

When to seek expert advise

As mentioned, many people may have deviated nasal septum without even knowing it. It is when the signs and symptoms of this disorder become very serious and persist for very long that a visit to your doctor becomes necessary.

If you have frequent breathing problems, repeatedly suffer from sinus infections and nasal congestion, or you have trouble breathing while sleeping, you must consult an ENT specialist at The Aga Khan University Hospital to get expert medical advice. A deviated nasal septum that interferes with breathing and affects a normal lifestyle must not be ignored.​​

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