Deviated Nasal Septum
From the outside, most noses look basically straight. But from the inside, about 80 percent of people have a crooked divider in the middle of the nose which is known as a deviated septum.
The nasal septum is the dividing wall that separates your nose into two sides. The back of the septum is made up of bone covered on both sides by mucus membranes. The front part of the septum is more flexible because it is made up mostly of cartilage which is covered by skin that contains a large number of blood vessels. Ideally, the nasal septum is exactly in the middle of the nose so the two sides of the nose are of equal size.
Deviated Septum Symptoms
For most people, the nasal septum is off center, or has a bend in it. In minor cases, this may not cause any symptoms. But a severe bend, or deviation, can make it difficult to breathe through the nose. A deviated septum can also cause one or more of these symptoms:
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I have an appointment with and ENT later this month, per the recommendation of my primary care doctor. I have always had recurring ear infections, sinus infections and strep. Due to the many times I had strep this year she is recommending having my tonsils removed but I am more concerned about the post-nasal drip which turns a common cold into multiple infections. The last cold I caught has been following me since November. I am still trying to eradicate an sinus infection and painfully enlarged tonsils. Do you think I should mention my concerns to the EMT? Do my symptoms align with a deviated septum?
February 14, 2011 - 12:25pmThis Comment