• best-ent-doctor-nyc
  • best-ear-nose-throat-doctor-nyc
  • best-ear-doctor-nyc
  • best-nose-doctor-nyc
  • best-throat-doctor-nyc

Dr. Michael Burnett Specializes in Problems of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses and Throat.

An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.

PLEASE CALL FOR SAME DAY AND URGENT APPOINTMENTS
NOT ALL AVAILABLE APPOINTMENTS ARE LISTED ON ZOCDOC

212-867-4813

Category Archives: Deviated Septum

Deviated Septum: Causes and Treatments

A deviated septum results when the cartilage and bone separate the nasal cavity from the center. It is usually pre-birth, but in some cases, it develops with time for various reasons. A nose injury can also result in a deviated septum. If it gets worse, one may experience breathing problems, headaches, and nasal congestion.

Deviated septum ENT specialist NYC

What are the Symptoms of a Deviated Septum?

Difficulty in breathing is the most common symptom of a badly deviated septum. This is due to the blockage that occurs through nose deviation on one side. However, it is usually severe on one side.

A person with this condition may experience these symptoms:

  • Sinus infections
  • Increased nasal and respiratory diseases
  • Noise breathing problems
  • Breathing from the mouth because of nose blockage
  • Nose bleeding

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum may be present since birth or may develop due to connective tissue disorder. It refers to abnormal development. The septum grows with the nose and most often grows towards each side. This is one of the most common reasons this condition can become infected.

In some cases, people with satisfactory or abnormal growth and development can have a deviated septum. It can also affect people who have not encountered any nose injury since birth.

ENT specialists suggest that nasal injuries can cause severely deviated septums, and surgery is the only option to treat such a severe disease.

How Can You Diagnose It?

A physical exam with a closer look at your nose will help the ENT specialists in diagnosing the exact situation. Not just outside, but an inside examination of the nose of an infected person helps to more exactly diagnose deviated septum.

How to Treat a Deviated Septum?

Many people do not require any treatment related to a deviated septum, as they show no symptoms. Others will have symptoms that are mild enough that they don’t affect their appearance or require treatment.

For people who have the condition or injury, most will go through treatment, commonly termed Septoplasty. It is the best treatment a person affected with a deviated septum can get, which results in a lifetime solution for breathing problems, sinusitis, and other nasal disease.

Deviated Septum | Septoplasty Surgeon NYC

But Septoplasty has some limitations, and it is only for those patients whose condition is severe. Your ENT specialist is the person who will decide whether Septoplasty is needed or not. Some of the things that ENT specialists evaluate when you visit them.

  • The septum condition
  • Age of the person
  • Health
  • Surgical record, if any
  • Drug allergies
  • Nasal and respiratory tract analysis
  • Ask you about smoking or any drug intake.

These things will decide if a person needs Septoplasty or if it can be treated with regular medications.

Prevention

Those born with a deviated septum have no chance to prevent it or get it treated without surgery. But for those not born with one, you can reduce the risk by following these steps. All you need to do is to protect your nose from:

  • Any nose fall during sports activities
  • Continuous use of face masks and helmets
  • Bending your nose every time.
  • Avoid being hit on your nose
  • Protect yourself from nasal and respiratory diseases.
  • Take anti allergies with a doctor’s prescription if you have an early age nasal disease.

Consult the Best ENT Specialist in NYC

Dr. Michael C. Burnett at Ear, Nose & Throat of New York has the best treatment options for a deviated septum, whether it is since birth or developed with age.

Call us today for more details or visit our website to book an appointment now.

EAR, NOSE & THROAT OF NEW YORK
Dr. Michael Burnett
115 East 57th Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022
212-867-4813

Contact

All About Septoplasty

What is Septoplasty? The best thing about medical surgeries is that no matter what issue you have, there is always some way to get it fixed successfully through a surgical procedure. You can undergo surgery for any medical conditions. Thus, you can get your flaws corrected with a surgical procedure, even for facial disorders such as a deviated septum.

Deviated septum is one of the most common nose issues from birth or due to a fatal accident. This is when one of your nostrils looks bigger than the other and leads to many other health complications. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure meant for treating a deviated septum. This is one of the smoothest surgeries you may ever go through. However, there is a lot to think about when considering this option, as the recovery may take longer than you expect. To learn more about septoplasty, continue to read this article further.

All About Septoplasty
(Source)

What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat a deviated septum. The surgery involves contracting the deviated spectrum by straightening the septum using surgical equipment. When straightened, you will realize how more air flows through your nose as compared to before. When going in for a septoplasty, there are a few stages and perpetration tips involved. You will learn about them below.

Preparing for a Septoplasty

Your surgeon will ask you to do a few things before coming in for your surgery. These involve taking a few medications, such as aspirin, Advil, and blood thinner. Your doctor will recommend you to take these medications two weeks before your surgery to prevent the loss of excessive blood during your procedure and after as well.

Before the surgery, your doctor will take a brief medical history that includes your previous medical condition, if you have any, and if you’re allergic to anything. You are not allowed to eat or drink anything the night before your surgery. Your doctor will provide you with a certain time frame on when you should start fasting. The reason for this is to prevent extreme nausea and the risk of choking from anesthesia. You will have to bring one member of your family along to your surgery in case of any emergency.

Risks Involved in a Septoplasty

There are a few risks involved in a septoplasty; however, they are quite rare to happen. Some of the potential risks you may go through are a loss of smell, non-stop bleeding, scarring, septum perforation, and discoloration of the nose. Sometimes patients are unhappy with the first surgery results and decide to go for another one. This is very unlikely to happen, especially if you go to a well-known surgeon.

The Septoplasty Procedure

When it’s finally time for your septoplasty, your surgeon will first put you under the influence of local or general anesthesia. Your doctor will use anesthesia according to your allergies and other medical conditions. Next, the surgeon will make an incision from one side of the nose to get to the septum.

Once the surgeon makes the incision, he/she will lift the mucous membrane with a surgical instrument. While doing this, the deviated spectrum gets moved towards the right position. Some cartridges and bones may be present, which the surgeon will also remove to reposition the septum and, lastly, the mucous membrane. Once done with these steps successfully, the healthcare staff will cover your nose with layers of cotton to keep the nose in one position. Sometimes people require stitches to keep the septum and membrane in one place.

Recovery Period

You will experience a few side-effects after your surgery, such as a painful nose and excessive bleeding. However, the risks aren’t as dangerous, depending on how successful your surgery was. The best part is that you don’t have to stay in the hospital. Your ENT specialist will send you home a few hours after your surgery as a septoplasty is an outpatient procedure.

Your surgeon will guide you on a few things, such as to avoid certain medications like ibuprofen and other medicines that may make your blood thin. You will have to refrain from excessive physical activity to maintain the structure of your nose. To ensure a quicker recovery, you should avoid touching your nose and especially blowing it. Wear comfy clothes that you can easily remove without touching your nose and keep your head in a raised position whenever you sleep or lie down.

All About Septoplasty | ENT Procedures
(Source)

Bottom-Line

It’s important to educate yourself about medical procedures like septoplasty, especially when you know you have deviated septum or someone close to you has to go through it. It’s normal for every person to be concerned before any surgical procedure, but you don’t have to if you know you’re in the right hands. For the best medical services in NYC that treat  deviated septums, contact the best ENT specialists at Ear, Nose, and Throat of New York.

What Is A Deviated Septum?

What Is A Deviated Septum? If you notice that your nostrils are not of the same size and are abnormally bigger than others, it means you have a deviated septum. A deviated septum is one of the main reasons you constantly experience nose blockage, and it may also lead to other health complications. The septum is a cartridge that divides your nose into two separate nostrils.

Deviated septums are common in people who go through major accidents, and some are genetically born with it. Over time, this issue gets much complicated if not given the proper medical attention immediately. Knowing about such issues is important as it may put your life at a bigger risk than expected. You must further read this article to learn more about the causes and treatments for a deviated septum.

What Is A Deviated Septum?
(Source)

The Causes behind a Deviated Septum

Fetal Development

One of the main causes behind the development of a deviated septum is complications during birth. A child could have a fetal development at birth that may cause them to have a deviated septum. This issue is sometimes identified at birth; hence, the treatment starts early. But sometimes people discover this development later.

Nose Injury

A fatal nose injury is also one of the main reasons that could lead to deviated sputum. These injuries could include an aggressive fist punch fight, car accident, rough play, or a sudden fall. Most of these injuries may cause dysfunction in your nose, causing the nasal septum to change its position.

Symptoms of a Deviated Septum

Symptoms don’t usually occur when you have a deviated septum, as it’s more like a facial deviation. However, there are a few common symptoms that you may have, making it obvious that you may suffer from a deviated septum. Mentioned below are the common symptoms:

  • A sinus infection
  • Regular nose bleeds
  • Breathing heavily while sleeping
  • Constant snoring while sleeping
  • Cannot breathe easily through the nose
  • Dry nostrils
  • Can breathe only through one nose properly

Deviated Septum Treatments

At times, a deviated septum can turn into a much bigger health risk, for which instantly your doctor may recommend you to go for surgery. Surgery is one of the main treatment options for a deviated septum; however, there are other treatments available as well that involve oral medications such as a nasal steroid spray, decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal strips. These medications help relieve whatever symptoms you’re experiencing. But they sometimes might not be as effective, which means you may require surgical treatment.

Deviated Septum Surgical Procedure

Septoplasty is a surgical process that helps treat a deviated septum. This surgery is only recommended by a doctor when a deviated septum symptoms start getting worse and may ignite other health complications. You have to avoid smoking and taking medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin two weeks prior to your surgery date. Avoiding these drugs is a must as they could come in the way of your surgery, causing you to bleed more.

A septoplasty takes place under anesthesia and lasts for around 90 minutes. The type of anesthesia received depends on your surgeon and what reacts with you better as this surgery takes place under both general and local anesthesia. The surgical process involves taking out excess cartilage or bone in your septum by surgically cutting it. Through this, you can achieve a slight opening and straighten your nasal passage. Once the surgeon performs the main step, he/she will insert silicone splints in each of your nostrils to support the septum.

You may experience a few side effects or complications after your surgery; however, this is very unlikely as patients normally go back home on the same day. A septoplasty is one of the safest surgical procedures you can go through. You may experience a few common complications: non-stop bleeding, loss of sense of smell, an abnormal change in your nose’s shape, and numbness in teeth and upper gums.

What Is A Deviated Septum | Top ENT Doc NY
(Source)

Surgery Recovery Stage

A septoplasty may be one of the smoothest surgeries you go through, but the recovery isn’t as good as expected for some people. You have to keep taking all your medications as prescribed by your doctor for a faster recovery. There are a few things you have to avoid doing to prevent any complications after your surgery. These involve not blowing your nose, no work-out for a few weeks, and wearing your clothes in a way that doesn’t come in contact with your nose because, at this point, your nose is in one of the most sensitive stages.

Conclusion

If you feel like you suffer from a deviated spectrum and have a few of the symptoms mentioned, you must immediately attain medical consultation. To achieve the best diagnosis and treatment for a deviated septum, you should get in touch with NYC’s best ENT specialist Dr. Michael Burnett MD.

Michael C. Burnett, MD
115 East 57th Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022
212-867-4813

DEVIATED SEPTUM

The cartilage wall inside your nose is the septum. The crookedness of this wall to either side causes you to have a deviated septum.

Symptoms of Deviated Septum

In some cases, you may not find any symptoms of septal deformities and not even know that you have a deviated septum. However, if you have a deviated septum, here are some symptoms to identify it.

1.     Nostril Blockage and Difficulty in Breathing

You may feel difficulty in breathing through one or both nostrils. If you have allergies or cold, you may notice blockage, narrowing, and swelling up of your nasal passage.

2.     Nosebleeds

When the septum changes its position, its surface is prone to becoming dry, which increases the risk of nose bleeding. This happens because the curving of your septum is causing too much air to pass through your nose, resulting in the drying of the nose membrane. When there is a lack of moisture in your nose, it starts to bleed.

3.     Facial pain

You may also feel one-sided facial pain when your deviated septum condition is severe.

4.     Sleeping on a particular side

If one of the nasal passages is narrow, you may feel comfortable sleeping on only one side because that particular side makes breathing easy for you.

5.     Nasal Congestion

You may feel a stuffy head as air does not flow when you have a deviated septum. This pressure can cause headaches. Furthermore, when your sinus feels extra pressure, it starts causing your face to feel pain and become sore.

6.     Sinus Infections

The deviation of the septum makes one side of your nose prone to stuffiness. When there is excessive clogging, you are likely to develop sinus infections.

7.     Snoring and Disrupted Sleep

A deviated septum can lead to snoring and loud noises while you sleep due to nasal congestion. You may also find it hard to fall asleep, or you will keep waking up because of breathing problems. In some severe cases, people may feel sleep apnea due to deviated sleep. In this condition, the breathing may completely stop while sleeping.

Causes of a Deviated Septum

Try closing your mouth and taking a deep breath. If you feel an affected airflow in one or both sides of your nostrils, you may be having a deviated septum.

More than one-third of the population is living with deviated septum because people don’t know much about this condition. It is notable to mention here that if you are not having any serious issues because of a deviated septum, you do not require any intervention.

Treatment

Managing symptoms

If you want the symptoms of the condition to go away quickly, you should get in touch with a doctor immediately. The doctor may prescribe one of the following.

1.     Decongestants

Decongestants can help your nasal tissue by reducing swelling, which can eventually open your nostrils allow for free airflow. This medication is available as a pill or nasal spray. You should consult with your doctor on how to use the spray for effective results. While taking an oral dose of this medication, you may feel jittery. Also, it can make your heart rate and blood pressure go high.

2.     Antihistamines

Antihistamines can help prevent symptoms of allergy and help you if you have a runny or stuffy nose. These medications can also help you with non-allergic conditions like the cold. The side effects of some antihistamines include dizziness. They may affect your physical activities related to coordination, such as driving.

3.     Nasal Steroid Sprays

Nasal corticosteroid sprays can help reduce swelling and clear up your nasal passage, eventually helping with drainage. Follow the direction of your doctor while using this spray. The spray may take one to three weeks to show the maximum effect. Medications might not help you with the deviated septum condition, but they can treat the swelling of the mucous membrane.

Conclusion

Some people have a deviated septum from the day of their birth. Such deviation may be due to an injury during birth or fetal development. After birth, the common reason for a deviated septum is an injury that displaces your nasal septum.

If you are having trouble breathing or find any symptom of the deviated septum, you can contact us at 212-644-8350. Our ENT specialist, Dr. Michael Burnett, will help you if you are suffering from a deviated septum and its symptoms.

 

Michael C. Burnett, MD

115 East 57th Street
(Between Park + Lexington Ave.)
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022

212-867-4813