When snoring is caused by a deviated septum it can be very loud and the noise is created from a partial obstruction to the upper airway. Should the airway become completely obstructed it can lead to sleep apnea? Snoring is very common and it is also important to know that there are many potential causes. One of which is a deviated septum.
The airway is normally a clear passage that experiences no disruption, however, sometimes it becomes blocked from either enlarged tonsils or adenoids, nose congestion, the excessive weight that leads to a narrowed passage or even a shift in the nasal septum.
In the middle of the nose is a tissue that can be felt by placing a finger in your nostril and this tissue is the nasal septum.
Sometimes this tissue can shift to the left or right and around 80 per cent of people have a deviated septum. It could become deviated because of recent trauma, broken nose or it could even be genetic. When this shift occurs it leads to having a hard time breathing on that side and even snoring.
- Some symptoms of a deviated septum include:
- Obstruction of one or both nostrils
- Nasal congestion
- Nosebleeds
- Frequent sinus infections
- Snoring
In the case of a smaller deviation, there may be no symptoms and no treatment may be required. However, if there are some significant issues then breathing can become a problem. Should this happen, a surgery called septoplasty may need to happen in order to get the septum back to the midline and open airways on each side of the nose. This will help cure the difficulty with breathing and may get rid of snoring that has been occurring.
If you’re worried you may have a deviated septum it is important to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can exam your nasal passages. They do this through the use of a nasal speculum. It is also good to know that this is an easy and successful fix.