A deviated septum is a common anatomical variation where the thin wall separating the two nasal passages is displaced from the center. This displacement can narrow one or both nostrils, potentially restricting airflow. Many individuals with this condition often wonder if the physical deviation, or the breathing difficulties it causes, will progress or worsen as they age. Addressing this common concern requires understanding the difference between a static structural issue and the dynamic changes that occur within the nasal cavity over a lifetime.
Understanding a Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is a structure composed of both bone and cartilage that divides the nasal cavity into two distinct halves. While a perfectly straight septum is uncommon, a significant shift away from the midline is termed a deviation. This condition can be present from birth or result from an injury, such as trauma sustained during contact sports or an accident.
A severely crooked septum restricts airflow, leading to several noticeable symptoms. These include difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, frequent nosebleeds, noisy breathing during sleep, and recurring sinus infections due to impaired drainage.
Natural Progression and Age-Related Changes
The core structural deviation of the bone and cartilage generally does not worsen dramatically in adulthood, as the nasal skeleton is largely set. However, the symptoms associated with the existing deviation often become more bothersome over time. This perceived worsening is primarily due to natural, age-related changes occurring within the surrounding nasal tissues.
As a person ages, the nasal cartilage loses firmness and elasticity, causing support structures to subtly shift. This change can lead to a slight drooping of the nasal tip (nasal ptosis), which further compromises the narrowed nasal passages. Furthermore, the internal lining, or mucosa, can become less elastic or stiffen with age, making the existing obstruction more noticeable.
These internal changes mean that a deviation that was once mild or asymptomatic may start to cause significant breathing problems in later life. While the initial septal bend remains largely the same, the surrounding tissues provide less support and the airway space decreases, intensifying the effects of the underlying structural problem.
Factors That Exacerbate Symptoms
Beyond the internal changes related to aging, several external and secondary health factors can significantly exacerbate the symptoms of a pre-existing deviated septum. These factors increase inflammation and swelling within the nasal cavity, temporarily magnifying the obstruction. Chronic allergies, for example, trigger swelling in the nasal lining, further narrowing the compromised passage.
Recurrent sinus infections also contribute to symptom severity by causing prolonged inflammation and congestion. Environmental irritants like smoke, dust, or pollution can similarly irritate the mucosa, causing swelling that makes breathing more difficult. A subsequent physical injury, even a minor one, can also cause a new shift that compounds the existing deviation, leading to an immediate worsening of symptoms.
Options for Severe or Persistent Symptoms
When a deviated septum causes persistent or worsening symptoms that affect quality of life, management strategies range from conservative approaches to surgical correction. Initial treatment often involves non-surgical methods aimed at reducing the inflammation that exacerbates the obstruction. These conservative options include the use of nasal steroid sprays to decrease swelling in the nasal lining, and saline rinses to help clear mucus and moisten the passages.
When these medical treatments fail to provide adequate relief, a surgical procedure called septoplasty is the definitive option for correcting the structural issue. Septoplasty is performed to straighten or reposition the nasal septum, moving the bone and cartilage back to the midline to open the nasal airway. This is typically an outpatient procedure, often taking between 30 and 90 minutes to complete, depending on the complexity of the deviation.
Initial recovery from septoplasty usually takes about one to two weeks, after which most patients can return to non-strenuous work or school. However, the internal tissues require a longer period for complete stabilization and healing, which can take anywhere from three to six months. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity for up to a month to prevent complications and allow the newly repositioned structure to heal fully.