In general terms, the septum is a wall that separates two cavities. In the nose, the septum is a thin wall which separates the right nostril from the left nostril and is meant to support the nose and direct the flow of air.



In the upper segment, the nasal septum is formed of a thin bone, and in the lower segment by a cartilage. Normally, this structure is relatively straight and positioned at the center of the nose. When the nasal septum is sufficiently shifted to one of the sides, there can be a breach the flow of air and the amount of mucus in the nose. This condition, called a deviated septum, can determine what is called septum symptoms of disease.



Septum symptoms of disease - A deviated septum can simply be a variation of the normal structure and can occur during prenatal development, during child birth or as the nose grows. Also, the affliction can occur as result of nasal trauma. In most cases, deviated septum does not produce any symptoms and does not require treatment. Still, when the shift is severe, it can obdurate the passage of air through the nostrils and predispose to repeated infections in the sinuses, bleeding, snoring or apnea during sleep.

Diagnosis: it is relatively easy to spot a deviated septum, but it is much more difficult to establish if the deviation requires correction. Usually the patient complains about not being able to breathe except through one nostril.

Medicated treatment - Treatment depends on the symptoms claimed by the patient: the doctor can use pain killers to ease the headache, nasal decongestants to reduce secretions, antibiotics against infection or, if the symptoms are persistent, corrective surgery for the reconstruction of the nasal septum.

Surgical intervention - Septoplasty is the surgical intervention performed with the purpose of correcting a deformed nasal septum and thus removing the obstruction of nasal passages. The operation can be performed under general or local anesthetics, based on the preference of the patient and the indications of the doctor. The operation takes some 60 to 90 minutes and, usually, the patient leaves the hospital after 3 or 4 hours. The surgeon will perform an incision within the nose and will remove the mucous membrane whi covers the cartilage and the bone. The deformed septum will be cut out or rectified, after which the mucous membrane is placed back on the septum.



Since septoplasty is usually performed under local anesthetics, there is no need for elaborate preparations; still, you should be prepared for some blood tests, radiological investigations and a detailed examination of the nose. If you are hypertensive, have diabetes or afflictions which predispose to excessive bleeding, there will be special precaution taken before the surgical intervention. Ten days before the operation you are recommended to cease the administration of medicine that could increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or other non-steroid anti-inflammatory. After the intervention you will feel slight sensitivity or pain in the nose. The doctor will recommend the drugs needed to ease the pain.