Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPerforming a Self-TestAfter the Self-TestDo They Resolve?After a SeptoplastySeeking Medical Care

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Performing a Self-Test

After the Self-Test

Do They Resolve?

After a Septoplasty

Seeking Medical Care

If you look precisely, the cartilaginous and boney structure that separate the two nostrils (nasal septum) is off center in most people. This is known as a “deviated septum.” The slight asymmetry of this structure is not bothersome to most people. However, depending on the severity of the deviation, it can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing from one or both nostrils or recurring sinus infections.

If these symptoms sound familiar, you may want to do a deviated septum self-test at home before contacting a healthcare provider for an official diagnosis and treatment. This article will explain how to perform two different deviated septum self-tests and the next steps depending on your self-test results.

Deviated Septum

How to Perform a Deviated Septum Self-Test

There are tests a qualified healthcare provider, such as a primary care provider orotolaryngologist(an ear, nose, and throat specialist, also called an ENT), might do to diagnose a deviated septum. If you want to do a deviated septum self-test at home, you can do a visual inspection or perform a physical test. Here’s how:

Visual Exam

If your nostrils are similar, you might not have a deviated septum.

Physical Test

This simple breathing test can be done within a few minutes. It’s best to try this when you do not have congested sinuses or a stuffy nose. To perform a physical test, complete the following steps:

You may not have a septal deviation if your breathing feels similar through each nostril. However, if your breathing experience is unequal or it doesn’t feel easy to breathe through one nostril vs. the other, you may have a deviated septum. Most people typically have varying airflow between the two sides due to nasal mucus congestion fluctuations throughout the day.

What to Do After the Self-Test

If the visual inspection or physical test indicates septal deviation, call a qualified healthcare provider for a definitive diagnosis.

Do Deviated Septums Go Away?

Many people who have a deviated septum are not aware of the condition because they do not experience any signs or symptoms, including the following common ones:

Deviated Septum and Obstructive Sleep ApneaThere is no evidence that a deviated septum causesobstructive sleep apnea. However, there is evidence that a deviated septum can worsen obstructive sleep apnea due to the difficulty of breathing through one or both nostrils.If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and a deviated septum, consult a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.

Deviated Septum and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

There is no evidence that a deviated septum causesobstructive sleep apnea. However, there is evidence that a deviated septum can worsen obstructive sleep apnea due to the difficulty of breathing through one or both nostrils.If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and a deviated septum, consult a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.

What Happens During a Septoplasty?

Aseptoplastyis surgery to treat a deviated septum.Septoplasty is the preferred surgical method for a deviated septum, although—depending on the severity of the deviation—it is sometimes done withsinus surgery.

Your nose and facial bones usually stop growing and developing around age 15 or 16, so septoplasty is not typically performed until after that age.

A surgeon will repair a deviated septum through the nostrils, so there is often no bruising or incisions. Septoplasty usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of the deviation. Surgery is generally done in an outpatient surgical center or a qualified specialist’s office, so people who undergo septoplasty can usually go home the same day.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Determining you have a deviated septum with an at-home test does not mean you actually have one. You should see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and if you have any of these symptoms or if your symptoms worsen:

Summary

Most people have deviated septums. Some people don’t know they have a deviated septum because they don’t experience any symptoms. Those with nosebleeds, frequent sinus infections, or difficulty breathing should see a healthcare provider for an official diagnosis and treatment. The healthcare provider might recommend nonsurgical treatment options to relieve symptoms or surgery to repair the deviated septum.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Deviated septum.Wang Y, Bonaparte JP.Diagnosis and management of septal deviation and nasal valve collapse - a survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J of Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg48, 71 (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s40463-019-0394-zZadeh M.A simple self-test to determine if you have a deviated septum.Pendolino AL, Scarpa B, Ottaviano G.Relationship between nasal cycle, nasal symptoms and nasal cytology.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019;33(6):644-649. doi:10.1177/1945892419858582American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.What’s an ENT?.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Deviated septum.Michels Dde S, Rodrigues Ada M, Nakanishi M, Sampaio AL, Venosa AR.Nasal involvement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Int J Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:717419. doi:10.1155/2014/717419American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Nasal surgery: Fixing form and function.Stanford Medicine | Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.Septoplasty.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Deviated septum.Wang Y, Bonaparte JP.Diagnosis and management of septal deviation and nasal valve collapse - a survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J of Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg48, 71 (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s40463-019-0394-zZadeh M.A simple self-test to determine if you have a deviated septum.Pendolino AL, Scarpa B, Ottaviano G.Relationship between nasal cycle, nasal symptoms and nasal cytology.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019;33(6):644-649. doi:10.1177/1945892419858582American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.What’s an ENT?.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Deviated septum.Michels Dde S, Rodrigues Ada M, Nakanishi M, Sampaio AL, Venosa AR.Nasal involvement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Int J Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:717419. doi:10.1155/2014/717419American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Nasal surgery: Fixing form and function.Stanford Medicine | Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.Septoplasty.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Deviated septum.Wang Y, Bonaparte JP.Diagnosis and management of septal deviation and nasal valve collapse - a survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J of Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg48, 71 (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s40463-019-0394-zZadeh M.A simple self-test to determine if you have a deviated septum.Pendolino AL, Scarpa B, Ottaviano G.Relationship between nasal cycle, nasal symptoms and nasal cytology.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019;33(6):644-649. doi:10.1177/1945892419858582American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.What’s an ENT?.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Deviated septum.Michels Dde S, Rodrigues Ada M, Nakanishi M, Sampaio AL, Venosa AR.Nasal involvement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Int J Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:717419. doi:10.1155/2014/717419American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Nasal surgery: Fixing form and function.Stanford Medicine | Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.Septoplasty.

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Deviated septum.

Wang Y, Bonaparte JP.Diagnosis and management of septal deviation and nasal valve collapse - a survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J of Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg48, 71 (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s40463-019-0394-z

Zadeh M.A simple self-test to determine if you have a deviated septum.

Pendolino AL, Scarpa B, Ottaviano G.Relationship between nasal cycle, nasal symptoms and nasal cytology.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019;33(6):644-649. doi:10.1177/1945892419858582

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.What’s an ENT?.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Deviated septum.

Michels Dde S, Rodrigues Ada M, Nakanishi M, Sampaio AL, Venosa AR.Nasal involvement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Int J Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:717419. doi:10.1155/2014/717419

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Nasal surgery: Fixing form and function.

Stanford Medicine | Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.Septoplasty.

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