Whether the deviated septum occurred naturally or through an earlier trauma, it can bring with it a lifetime of complications (which may not even start right away!). Although the standard recommendations are drugs and surgery, many want to start with milder, more natural alternatives.
A deviated septum is diagnosed when the nasal cavity is so off center (and thus narrower) that the bearer suffers a host of complications, from headaches, to snoring, to sinus infections. Although the only “cure” is a quick, easy surgery (the surgery gets played up as more than it is because so many use it as an excuse for cosmetic surgery—it’s not) there are many natural, less invasive ways to deal with the symptoms of a deviated septum.
Keeping Things Clear
The key to almost all deviated septum complications is helping to keep the airways clear.
Sinus infection symptoms tend to start when a narrow passageway (as with a deviated septum) leads to poor ventilation and drainage. Many people with deviated septums complain about the trauma of constantly blowing their nose to deal with mucus, and in fact many doctors will not recommend ongoing nose-blowing because it can increase the risk of bleeding, another possible side-effect of a deviated septum.
Luckily, there are other manual ways to remove mucus. A sinus flood or sinus rinse performed in the morning and before bed can help (for directions or to order a starter kit, click here). Sinus rinsing removes build up, clearing the nasal passageway to improve breathing. If you already have an active sinus infection, you may need to flood the sinus cavity several times in a row to fully remove mucus, which can become fairly compact (if you’ve ever had to do this, you know the value of preventative sinus flooding!).
Similarly, a sinus flood or rinse before bed will help with snoring that may occur as a result of the deviated septum (as well as insomnia!). Making sure you can breathe will help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and stay asleep longer. Depending on your climate, a humidifier can also help to keep things loose and clear. Also try sleeping with the head a little more elevated to help with draining.
Headaches and facial pain are symptoms of a sinus infection, but if you experience them, as well as impaired breathing, when no congestion, fever, etc. are present, your deviated septum may be severe enough to require surgery, and you should talk to a doctor about your health and options (impaired breathing can have a greater impact on your health).
What other deviated septum symptoms do you have to deal with? What are your tricks for keeping mucus clear from the nasal cavity?
