Deviated Septum?

[Jeg_hiller]

I went to my local GP a few months ago after my nose became blocked to the point where i had to constantly breathe through my mouth. She diagnosed me with Allergic Rhinitis and gave me betamethasone drops and antihistamine tablets which have cleared my left nostril. However, my right nostril is still quite blocked about 90% of the time and very difficult to breathe through. Sometimes it clears for a short while but only for about an hour before becoming blocked again.
I've noticed (particularly in photos) that my nose profile is different on either side- my left side being a lot sharper and hooked. Is it possible that I may have a deviated septum? And if so, any chance i can be referred for surgery?

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

[Sqad]

Well, allergic rhinitis does indeed cause a blocked nose, with itching, running and sneezing. However if you still have a blocked nose after treatment and it is unilateral (one sided) then one must suspect another problem.

Now, if you have noticed an asymmetry of your nose on photographed and blockage of one side of the nose, then a deviated nasal septum does seem likely. One must remember that there are other causes of unilateral nasal obstruction e.g nasal polyps and the definitive diagnosis needs to be made by an E.N.T surgeon.

If a deviated nasal septum is diagnosed than a functional operation called a Septoplatsy will cure your obstruction, but this is only functional and will not affect the outside appearance.

Pick your surgeon carefully and at the same time as correcting your septum, he could straighten your nose (Septorhinoplasty)

Good luck

[Jeg_hiller]

Thank you Squad!

Do i have to be referred an E.N.T. surgeon by my GP?

[Jeg_hiller]

*to an

[Sqad]

Yes.

[pa___ul3]

I've a slight deviation in mine after a big fat centre half mistook my nose for the ball when I was 21! It's never really affected my breathing though and my girlfriend likes it, my nostrils look like a '0' and a '9' and that symobolised the year we met!
I'd assume you'd only be referred for surgery if it was greatly affecting your breathing.
I used to get allergic rhinitis too, I had to use fluxonase and was told to hoover my bed as it was likely to be down to dust mites in my bedding setting it off.
I appreciate my post is entirely anecdotal but just an example of how it's not necessarily the end of the world if you didn't fancy the surgery route.

[mungbeanz]

I got kicked in the face about 10 years ago. My nose kind of changes direction in the middle and its got a bit of a lump on it. i can't breathe at all through the left nostril. What is a septoplasty Sqad? Maybe that would help me.

[Sqad]

mung... septoplasty is an operation whereby the obstructing nasal cartilage is re-aligned and replaced in a non obstructing position back in the nose.

A straight forward operation for any competent ENT surgeon, with gratifying results. Previously, up to 25 years ago, the operation was called a submucous resection of nasal septum, where the obstructing piece of cartilage was removed. However this fell into disrepute because of the high risk of holes left in the septum and in certain cases collapse of the cartilaginous part of the nose.

[bednobs]

how long do you have to be in hospital for for that sqag? (mr b is having it done)

[bednobs]

sqag? i mean sqad of course!

[Sqad]

Hi! bednobs.........overnight.

[Sqad]

Well it was overnight as far as I was concerned.....packs out next day and if no bleeding ...then home.

[Bbbananas]

hi sqad - overnight? Was that a proposition?

(sorry to hijack Jeg - I just can't help these things. I shall go away soon) x

[Sqad]

salla darling....always in my thoughts and dreams......will be in the UK next week for R&R

[Bbbananas]

I thought you told me you preferred S&M?

[Sqad]

salla...LOL....if it pleases you my pet.....anything.

[Bbbananas]

Actually, S&M is not 'my bag'. R&R sounds far more palatable.

Talking of palates - back to Jeg. My dad had a deviated septum, he had it operated on and did stay overnight. Not a pleasant operation though - all that packing afterwards is pretty horrible .

[Bbbananas]

(Did you get that smooth transition from palatable to palate.....?)
Good eh?

[Sqad]

salla...some surgeons, do not pack the nose.....I didn't if it was straightforward, only if it bled a lot at the time of operation.

[Bbbananas]

My dad is a bleeder. But the most gorgeous lovely wonderful admirable man I've ever known or loved. Just in case you think I was being derogatory.

He had polyps removed at the same time. And something to his palate because of his snoring....

[Sqad]

tonsillo-pharyngo-palatoplasty....for snoring.

That was a gig procedure to do with his nasal septum as well.