Warning Signs Of A Deviated Septum

Facial Pain

Many individuals who suffer from a deviated septum will chronically experience pain in the cheek, forehead, and eyes. Because the septum deviation causes one nostril to be narrower then the other, mucus tends to clog up the passage easier. The clogged nasal passage becomes the ideal breeding ground for different types of bacteria that cause an infection. The facial pain comes from the increased levels of pressure building up in the sinuses from an infection. When the sinuses are infected, they are unable to drain correctly. When the sinuses cannot drain properly, they act like a sealed bottle of a carbonated beverage with increasing pressure with no way to be released. This pressure induces pains and aches in the facial areas frequently because of the susceptibility to infections of individuals who have a deviated septum.

Nasal Obstruction

Nasal obstruction is characterized by a blockage of airflow through the nose. This will happen with a deviated septum when excessive irritation of the mucous membranes causes severe swelling inside the nose. The swelling will either completely or mostly block one side of the nose to where no airflow can pass through. In addition, the narrower side of the nose from the deviation can become clogged with dust, debris, and mucous much easier than it would be if the nasal passages were evenly divided. Individuals refer to a nasal obstruction as being stuffed or clogged up. This happens much more often in patients who have a deviated septum because symptoms of the nasal origination to allergies and infections are more prevalent among individuals with deviated septums.