Is your excessive snoring keeping your loved one up night after night? You’re not alone. Snoring is a common problem experienced by thousands of individuals resulting in interrupted slumber for both you and your bed partner. Many issues can cause snoring and difficulties breathing through the nose. One of the most common is called a deviated septum. In about 80% of us, the nasal septum is a little off-center. Less often, when the septum is more dramatically off-center, it is referred to as a deviated septum. The nasal septum is bone and cartilage that separates the right and left nostrils. When that is compromised, either broken or “deviated,” the obstruction can prevent air from flowing correctly through your nostrils, possibly resulting in snoring and sleep disturbance. When over the counter remedies don’t seem to ease symptoms, there may be a more significant underlying problem that should be checked out promptly by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. If you’re experiencing breathing problems, contact an experienced nose doctor at Southeastern Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Center. We serve the Pembroke Pines area as well as all of Broward County. Our experienced medical team will diagnose and treat all nasal problems from trouble breathing to sinus infections, from polyps to a deviated septum to snoring.

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

While a crooked or broken nose is a condition that you can outwardly notice and affects your appearance, a crooked or deviated septum is usually hidden and is not something that is bothersome or noticeable until it starts affecting your daily life. You may never notice it or suffer from any ill effects. The most common causes of a deviated septum may be trauma to the nose from a car accident or sports injury, or even a prior nose surgery. Another reason is simply that you were born with it.

What are the Symptoms of a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum is so hard to diagnose because it may present you with some symptoms or none at all. Your nose may look perfectly straight on the outside, but you may have a crooked septum on the inside of your nose. The most common symptoms to look for include:

  • Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
  • Excessive snoring that disrupts sleep
  • Nosebleeds due to nasal passages being drier
  • Nasal congestion
  • Changes in external nasal appearance
  • Difficulty sleeping, especially if you have sleep apnea

What to Do if You Have a Deviated Septum

Most ENT doctors agree that if you suspect you have a deviated septum, but it does not bother you, you should do nothing at all. In other words, if you are not experiencing any symptoms such as excessive snoring or trouble breathing through either of your nostrils, there is no reason to seek treatment. If you are still having breathing problems and you believe a deviated septum is the culprit, then it’s best to seek the advice of an ENT doctor who is specially trained in this area. At Southeastern Ear, Nose, Throat Sinus Center, our board-certified ENT physicians treat conditions of the nose and nasal passages at our medical center conveniently located in beautiful Pembroke Pines. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a deviated septum, have breathing or sinus issues, call us today at (954) 437-5333. Our professional, dedicated medical team offers you relief with the latest treatments to ease your condition and  improve your quality of life!