How to Fix Sleeping Problems From a Deviated Septum

Have you been fighting to get a good night’s sleep? Your deviated septum could be the culprit. A deviated septum can cause a range of sleep issues, from sleep apnea to discomfort and dry mouth from mouth breathing. Waking up feeling unrested, with headaches, and experiencing fatigue throughout the day can be a result of the blocked nasal passage. But don’t worry; there are many things you can do to enhance your sleep quality and reduce the symptoms of a deviated septum. Keep reading to learn more about a deviated septum, its symptoms, its effects on your health, and how getting surgery on a deviated septum can be a great help. So, let’s dive in!

What is a Deviated Septum
A deviated septum is a common condition where the thin wall inside your nose, called the septum, isn’t perfectly straight. The septum usually separates your nostrils, creating two equal passages for air to flow. But when it’s deviated, it leans more to one side, which can cause some breathing problems and make one nostril feel smaller than the other. It’s kind of like having a crooked wall in your house that blocks part of a hallway. Some people are born with a deviated septum, while others might develop it after an injury, like a bump on the nose while playing sports. If it’s causing issues, doctors can fix it with a surgery called septoplasty. There are many benefits to fixing a deviated septum.

The Symptoms of a Deviated Septum
The symptoms of a deviated septum vary! For one, it’s just minor, but for some, it can be life-threatening. However, some common signs include:

Difficulty breathing:
It’s the most common symptom of a deviated septum. When the septum is crooked, it can block one or both nostrils, making it difficult to breathe through them. You may feel like you’re not getting enough air.

Nasal congestion or stuffiness:
If you have a deviated septum, you may experience frequent nasal congestion or stuffiness. This can make it difficult to breathe through your nose and can lead to other symptoms like headaches and sinus pain.

Frequent nosebleeds:
A deviated septum can cause the blood vessels in your nose to become more fragile, which can lead to frequent nosebleeds.

Facial pain:
If you have a deviated septum, you may experience pain or pressure in your sinuses. This can be a result of the blocked nasal passage, which can cause mucus to build up and lead to inflammation.

Loud breathing or snoring:
When you have a deviated septum, you may breathe loudly or snore, especially during sleep. This is because the blocked nasal passage can cause air to flow more forcefully through the nostrils, resulting in noise.

Headaches:
If you’re experiencing frequent headaches in the forehead, it could be a sign of a deviated septum. The blocked nasal passage causes pressure in the sinuses, leading to headaches.

Postnasal drip:
Postnasal drip is common in patients with a deviated septum. It occurs when mucus drips down the back of your throat, causing a tickling or scratchy sensation. This can be irritating and can lead to a cough or sore throat.

Recurrent sinus infections:
You may be more prone to sinus infections if you have a deviated septum. The blocked nasal passage results in mucus build, resulting in bacterial growth.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, speaking with a doctor is important. They can conduct a deviated septum test and determine the cause of the problem. In some cases, OTC medications are enough to resolve the issue, but surgery may be necessary for severe cases to correct the deviation and improve breathing.

How a Deviated Septum Affects Your Sleep

Waking up feeling unrested could be due to a deviated septum affecting sleep quality. Snoring, caused by a blocked nasal passage, can be a common issue. However, a deviated septum can also lead to sleep apnea, causing breathing difficulties during sleep. This issue, combined with tossing and turning due to discomfort and dry mouth from mouth breathing, can disrupt your rest. A deviated septum may also cause headaches from insufficient oxygen intake during sleep, further impacting your daily life.

Correcting a Deviated Septum Through Surgery: Does It Work?

If you’re struggling with many of the symptoms of a deviated septum, you must be wondering if you need surgery. Surgery is often recommended for people with a deviated septum experiencing significant breathing difficulties or other symptoms affecting their quality of life. But does it really work?

Of course, surgery is an effective way to correct a deviated septum. And the type of surgery doctors recommend for a deviated septum is septoplasty. The procedure involves repositioning the septum and making it straight. This can help to open up the nasal passages and improve breathing. Septoplasty is an outpatient procedure. It is a short procedure, and you can go to your place on the same day as the surgery. They’ll give you local or general anaesthesia and complete the rest of the procedure in about an hour. After the surgery, you’ll need to go on bed rest for a few days. You may experience swelling, bruising, or congestion in the nose.

So, what kind of results can you expect from a septoplasty? For many people, the surgery can significantly improve breathing and other symptoms. In fact, one study found that 80 per cent of patients reported improved breathing after the surgery. Other studies have found septoplasty.

Other Tips For Getting Good Sleep
If you have a deviated septum, you know the difficulties one may face during sleep. However, you can make it better as there are a few tricks you can practice to improve your sleep quality; they are:

Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your back can worsen snoring and sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side can help to keep the airway open and reduce snoring and other symptoms.
Elevate your head: If you’re having trouble breathing through your nose, elevate your head with an extra pillow.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives: Alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in the throat and worsen snoring and sleep apnea.

Practice good sleep hygiene: Getting into a regular sleep routine and practicing good sleep hygiene can help. Make a routine, avoid caffeine and nicotine, and create a relaxing bedtime environment.

Conclusion
If you’re struggling with sleep problems, know that you’re not alone. Many people nowadays have this condition. However, there are solutions available that can help. From surgery to lifestyle changes, there are options to improve your breathing and reduce the symptoms associated with a deviated septum.

Consult with a doctor, follow the tips mentioned in this article, and prioritise your sleep hygiene. With some effort, you can overcome your sleep problems and get the quality rest you need to thrive.

If you are searching for medical facilities that offer deviated septum tests, treatment, and surgery, Texas Sinus and Snoring is the one for you! Contact our office today for an appointment and get relief from a deviated septum!