Synonyms in a broader sense
Medical: Septum deviation Crooked nose, nasal bone fracture
Definiton
A nasal septum curvature is an alteration of the nasal septum (septum nasi). In most cases, the nasal septum is laterally displaced from birth or has been displaced from its normal position by an injury to the nose (e.g. a blow to the nose).
Causes
Most frequently, no causal cause for the nasal septum curvature can be found, so that one speaks of a hereditary component. Thus, most people have been affected by the respective symptoms since birth or childhood and often find family members with a similar problem on request. Curvatures of the nasal septum caused by accidents with violent impact are rather the minority.
The degree of curvature is very variable and depends on the degree of external force applied. A typical example of an acquired curvature would thus be a blow to the nose, which both shows an immediate optical change in the nose and results in a noticeable functional change in breathing. An acquired nasal septum curvature can also be caused by chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. In most cases, the turbinates are enlarged on one side (hyperplasia of the nasal conchae). Through the affected nostril, free nasal breathing is then hardly possible.
Symptoms
The main symptom of nasal septum curvature is disturbed nasal breathing, which is perceived as very stressful, especially subjectively. Only one or both nostrils can be affected and, if necessary, additional swelling of the mucous membrane can cause problems. Those affected often first notice that they breathe more through the mouth and thus have a dry mouth.
Especially during exercise or sports, breathing through the nose can only be effective for a very short time before the feeling of a “blocked nose” develops and one automatically breathes through the mouth. This presumption that the nose is closed also explains why some people have the feeling of smelling less. However, complaints such as insomnia or snoring can also occur at night, so that the nasal septum curvature can cause a variety of symptoms that must be interpreted and examined individually.
In the worst case, if the nasal septum is particularly severely curved and the nasal conchae are enlarged, this can even lead to shortness of breath (dyspnoea). It should not be neglected that a curvature of the nasal septum is sometimes only noticed through secondary diseases. Thus, the lack of ventilation on the affected side of the nose often causes inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, throat or middle ear, which often recurs (recurrence). For this reason, recurrent “banal” infections of the ear, nose and throat tract in particular should always be considered.
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