Deviated Septum in Tarzana
Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is the cartilage wall dividing the nasal cavity into halves. Ideally, the septum should be centrally located so the nostrils are evenly divided. However, studies suggest that about 80% of all nasal septums are off-center, meaning that one nostril is larger than the other.
Deviated septum is a condition where the unevenness is so severe that it causes one of the nostrils to be blocked, resulting in breathing difficulty and other health complications, such as:
- Facial pain
- One-sided nasal congestion
- Frequent sinus infections
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Post-nasal drip
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Noisy breathing when sleeping - particularly in infants and children
If your deviated septum adversely affects your quality of life, you should seek medical attention from an ENT specialist.
Treatment for deviated septum
Dr. Cohen may recommend surgery, septoplasty, to correct a troublesome deviated septum. This procedure is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and is only performed in adults, because the cartilaginous septum continues to grow until about the age of 18 years.
Septoplasty is performed entirely through the nostrils, so there'll be no bruising or visible marks after it heals. The procedure takes about one-and-a-half hours depending on the severity of the problem, though it may take longer if septoplasty is combined with a sinus surgery.
To ensure proper recovery, healing and return to a proper state, please follow the post-surgery instructions as directed by Dr. Cohen. Generally, avoid disrupting or bumping your septum for 3-6 months after the therapy, until the septum stabilizes.
