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Have a frequently blocked nose? It could be a much deeper problem!

Have a frequently blocked nose? It could be a much deeper problem!

Here is a doctor's opinion on DNS, a common condition

Written by Editorial Team |Published : January 20, 2014 10:51 AM IST

Deviated nasal septumDo you constantly suffer from sinusitis and experience a blocked nose or burning within your nose? It might not be your immune system that is to blame. There are a number of other conditions not caused due to an infection that might be causing these symptoms; and one of the most common one is DNS or deviated nasal septum. Dr Sangeeta Poddar, ENT surgeon at SevenHills hospital, Mumbai, tells you about the condition and what treatment options one has.

Know the condition:

Types of DNSDNS Stands for Deviated Nasal Septum. This is a condition where the partition of the nose that divides the nasal cavity into the right and left parts is deviated (or not straight). There are various types of DNS; which are classified according to the shape and severity of the deviation.

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They are:

  1. Septal spur: Where the septum is sharply turned towards one side of the nasal wall.
  2. 'C' shaped septum: Where it deviates gradually, forming a 'C' shape.
  3. 'S' shaped septum: Where both the top, and the bottom sections of the septum curve in the opposite direction, giving the septum a 'S' like shape.
  4. Dislocated septum: This is where the end of the septum does not meet the end of the nose directly in front, but shifts towards one side.

Why it happens

It happens mainly due to injury to the nose. The injury may be sustained at birth; where during normal delivery the nose is compressed leasing to its deformation. DNS can also be acquired later in life due to an injury to nose due to fall, during a fight or as a part of some other injury etc.

It is also important to know that injuries that are sustained during infancy and childhood, which may appear trivial at that time but may have a potential to lead to DNS. Since the nasal septum is made of cartilage and bones slight deformities can become worse with time. The cells of cartilage and bone have memory for such injuries, and as the nose grows with age, the DNS and other external nasal deformities start showing, leading to symptoms like nose blockage or cosmetic deformity of the nose. (Read: Eucalyptus oil: Instant home remedy for a blocked nose)

Symptoms are typical

An individual suffering from DNS will have following symptoms:

  • Nose blockage while breathing on the side of DNS. If it is an 'S' shaped DNS, then both sides nose can be blocked.
  • Headaches may occur on the side of DNS if the deviation is severe and the septum touches the side wall of the nose; exerting pressure on the structures coming in contact with it.
  • Crusting or bleeding from the side of DNS. The breathing in of air causes dryness on the septum due an attempt to clean the nose leading to injuries and bleeding. (Read: Nose bleeds all you need to know)
  • Epistaxis If one had a deviation in the septum that is extremely sharp and bent in one direction it is called a 'spur'. In some cases this spur may impinge on to surrounding structures or on the side wall of the nose leading to injury and severe bleeding.
  • One of the leading cause of sinusitis is severe DNS. It can obstruct the drainage of sinuses leading to retention and infection of secretions in the sinuses causing sinusitis.
  • Snoring and sleep apnoea due to obstructions in the airway.
  • Rarely, it can simulate allergic symptoms like sneezing on exposure to cold. This is because in the case of people suffering from DNS, there is usually a temporary swelling inside the nose, which is aggravated on exposure to the cold. This swollen mucosal lining of the DNS comes in contact with the side wall of the nose and triggers irritation and sneezing.
  • In case of an 'S' shaped DNS the deviated septum may be visible through the front of the nose. This can lead to nasal obstruction and may be embarrassing to a person. (Read: Sleep apnoea: Don't laugh away snoring problems!)

It can cause complications

DNS can lead to following complications :

  • Severe epistaxis or bleeding from the nose
  • Sinusitis
  • Snoring and sleep apnea
  • External nasal deformity at times, a DNS can cause deformed nasal tip leading to the formation of a crooked nose.
  • Lack of stamina DNS can affect exercise tolerance, since one can breathe in lesser air than normal.

Treatment

The most effective treatment for DNS is surgery called septoplasty. The doctor cuts the deformed portion on the deviated septum, and realigns it so that it is straight.

Recovery and care post surgery

A person under going DNS surgery (septoplasty) should be able to go back to routine work in five to seven days after the surgery.

After a septoplasty, a doctor will place a medicated pack inside the nose. This pack is left there for two days, during which the patient is usually hospitalization. The pack is removed after 48 hours and the patient is discharged with advice to have medication and use medicated nose drops.

During the surgery absorbable stitches are placed inside the nose which need not be removed. The patient is advised a follow up visit is advised after one week.

One can expect some amount of swelling in the nose for a few days after the surgery. This usually reopens gradually, which eases out any breathing difficulties.

The only important thing that a patient has to keep in mind is that he/she should not forcefully blow their nose as long as the wounds are healing.

Image source: Lifecaremedi.files.wordpress.com

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