If you’ve been told you have a deviated septum, you might be wondering what that means and whether nasal surgery is necessary. While some people live with this common condition without complications, others experience daily discomfort, sinus issues, or breathing problems.
At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing in Houston, Texas, Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, and our team provide expert care to help you understand your options so you can breathe easier. Here’s what you need to know about deviated septums and when surgery might benefit you.
Your nasal septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that divides your left and right nasal passages. Ideally, it's centered, but in many people, the septum is off to one side. This is called a deviated septum, and it can cause one or both nasal cavities to feel blocked.
You might suspect that you have a deviated septum if you notice:
A deviated septum isn’t the only condition that can cause these symptoms. That’s why Dr. McCutcheon takes the time to verify the true source of your symptoms before recommending treatment.
He typically diagnoses deviated septums through a physical exam and, in some cases, uses nasal endoscopy or imaging studies to assess the structure of your nasal passages.
Not all deviated septums require surgery. In some cases, you can manage symptoms with medications or lifestyle changes. However, if the deviation is severe or continues to interfere with your breathing, sleep, or sinus health, you might consider a septoplasty.
Dr. McCutcheon may suggest surgery when:
In general, Dr. McCutcheon recommends surgery when the pros of surgery outweigh the cons.
The goal of septoplasty is to correct a deviated septum by straightening your nasal passage. Dr. McCutcheon typically performs it on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia. It involves no external scars.
Dr. McCutcheon uses precise, minimally invasive techniques to reduce post-op pain and discomfort. This type of surgery tends to have a shorter recovery time, too. In some cases, septoplasty may be combined with turbinate reduction or balloon sinuplasty to further improve airflow and relieve sinus pressure.
Surgery doesn’t just improve your ability to breathe clearly. It can impact your sleep health, too.
Having a deviated septum can increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, people with deviated septums are almost five times more likely to develop sleep apnea than people without deviated septums.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications like high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack. Surgery to correct a deviated septum may help reduce your risk of sleep apnea related to nasal obstruction.
Yes. Before considering surgery, we may recommend:
These treatments may offer short-term relief, but if symptoms persist, surgical correction is often the most effective long-term solution.
At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing, our goal is to help you breathe clearly, sleep better, and feel your best. Led by Dr. McCutcheon and audiologist Mary Lippeatt, Au.D., our team offers advanced, personalized care for nasal, sinus, and hearing conditions — all in one convenient Houston, Texas, location.
If you think a deviated septum might be affecting your health, don’t wait. Call us today at 281-990-4259 to schedule your appointment.
