Deviated Septum the Ultimate Guide to Treatments

If you are currently experiencing problems related to your sinuses, your physician may prescribe a decongestant spray. However, if the doctor you are consulting with is not an ENT and they think you need to be treated for a deviated septum, they may refer you to an ears, nose, and throat specialist who can provide additional consultation and treatment.

Our providers can diagnose a deviated septum during your visit. To evaluate your condition, we will use instruments to open your nostrils and bright lights to get an unobstructed view of what is happening inside your nose. Our providers may use an instrument that looks like a scope shaped like a tube with a bright light to check more deeply into the sinuses.

In the Scottsdale and Fountain Hills Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center, we are also able to use an image guidance tool that offers real-time anatomical guidance directly on the monitor. This innovation is not offered by most ENT providers and is one of the many benefits of receiving treatment by Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center.

Using the information gathered during this exam, an ENT specialist will determine if you have a deviated septum and attempt to ascertain the gravity of the condition.

Treatment

Options for Managing Symptoms

At the outset, your physician may treat your deviated septum by helping you to manage your symptoms. Your physician may prescribe the following. Unfortunately, we have found that these are not permanent fixes for a deviated septum.

Decongestants

Decongestants reduce the swelling of nasal tissue. This could keep your airways open. Your physician may prescribe decongestants in pill form or as a spray. Nasal sprays should be used sparingly. If used inappropriately, they could lead to dependency and cause your symptoms to get worse once you quit using them.

Oral decongestants might work as a stimulant. You may feel the jitters, an increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure after using them.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are designed to address the symptoms of allergies. These include a runny or stuffy nose. They often provide relief for non-allergic conditions, like those associated with the common cold. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. If you are using antihistamines, exercise caution before performing a complicated task, like driving, operating heavy machinery, or other tasks that require physical activity and coordination.

Nasal Steroid Sprays

Nasal corticosteroids sprays might help with drainage when dealing with nasal swelling. It could take up to three weeks before you notice the maximum effect of treatment. Therefore, follow the doctor’s instructions when using corticosteroids sprays.

Medications will not correct a deviated septum. They may treat swollen mucous membranes, providing temporary relief.

Surgical Repair

Sinus Allergy and Wellness Center in Scottsdale may recommend a septoplasty if medication alone does not relieve your symptoms. The surgery is designed to correct a deviated septum.

Septoplasty is the traditional method of repairing a deviated septum. During this surgical procedure, the nasal septum is repositioned and straightened so that it will sit in the middle of your nose. The surgery may require the removal of part of your septum. This part would then be reinserted in the proper position.

Improvement will vary based on the severity of the affliction. If you are dealing with nasal obstruction, this may go away completely. However, allergies and other conditions that impact the tissues that line your nose may not be completely treated with only surgery.

Reshape Your Nose with Rhinoplasty

You may need rhinoplasty surgery to reshape your nose. Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are performed simultaneously. Rhinoplasty focuses on the cartilage and bone of the nose to adjust its size, shape, or both.

How You Can Prepare for Your Appointment

The first step is to call Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center at 480-485-9271. During your first appointment, you will receive a thorough examination and we will walk through our findings with you. Before your first exam, you need to prepare in advance, the questions you want to ask us during your visit. This will allow you to make the most of the time you have with our providers.

If you believe that you have a deviated septum, some questions we may ask might include:

· How long have you had the nasal obstruction?
· What percentage of the day does your nasal obstruction affect you?
· Does the condition affect your nose on one side more than the other?
· Have you recently experienced any nasal trauma?
· Do allergies affect your nose?
· Is your sense of smell impacted?
· Have you had problems with sinus infections?
· Do you have nosebleeds? If so, how frequently?
· Are there things that make the obstruction worse?
· What can you do to relieve the symptoms?
· Have you taken medication for this before?
· What medications have you taken?
· Are you taking medications for your deviated septum? If so, what medications are you taking?
· Do nasal decongestants provide relief?
· Are you using a nasal decongestant spray daily?
· Do nasal decongestant strips provide relief?
· Does the obstruction get worse if laying or if you are standing?
· Have you had any form of nasal surgery?

You may wish to prepare some questions to ask your us. These could include:

· What do you think is causing my condition or my symptoms?
· What is the best treatment plan for my condition?
· Is there an alternative to the first approach you have recommended?
· How can I deal with my deviated septum while dealing with other health conditions?
· Are there restrictions that I should know about?
· Do you recommend that I schedule an appointment with a specialist?

These are just examples of questions you might ask. Besides these questions, you may have others.

At Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center, we do not believe in a “one-size fits all” type of treatment plan. We perform thorough testing to accurately diagnose what is causing your problems and prescribe a unique treatment plan only meant for you. We provide a thorough explanation of what we are prescribing and are with you every step of the way to ensure you get to living a better quality of life!