A deviated septum is when your nasal septum is displaced to one side and one nasal passage gets smaller than another. If someone passes through this condition, they can face breathing problems, mostly at night. The main problem that it causes is obstructive sleep apnea. When you are sleeping suddenly, your breathing stops and again starts repeatedly during sleep. This situation leads to loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and other problems. It is important to know about the deviated septum and sleep apnea.
This guide will help you to understand what is deviated septum sleep apnea. We also discuss how it can cause breathing problems while sleeping. If you know the causes and symptoms of both problems, its easy to manage the condition with time.
Understanding Deviated Septum and Sleep Apnea
A Deviated Septum
Basically, your nose allows the air to enter your lungs, and the septum is the wall that divides the nose into two equal passages. Mostly when the septum gets displaced due to any reason, this condition is called a deviated septum.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing stops for a shorter time when sleeping. This will lead to loud snoring and sleep issues. You suffer from many other health conditions. In this case, your body does not get enough oxygen, which is not good for your health.
The Connection Between Deviated Septum and Sleep Apnea
The septum is present in your nose and basically divides both passages equally. And is also called the middle wall. But when this wall displaces through its real position because of any reason and imbalances in both passages, this is called a deviated septum.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can cause loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and other health problems. When you have sleep apnea, your body doesn't get enough oxygen, which can lead to serious health issues over time.
So, can a deviated septum cause sleep apnea?
A deviated septum can make it even harder for you to breathe through your nose. This can lead to snoring and, in some cases, sleep apnea.
When you breathe through your nose, the air is warmed, moistened, and filtered. But with a deviated septum, the airflow is blocked, making it harder for air to pass through. This can cause you to breathe through your mouth, which can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.
Think of it like trying to drink through a bent straw. It's harder to get the liquid, right? The same thing happens with your airway. A deviated septum can make it harder for air to flow, leading to nighttime breathing problems.
How a Deviated Septum Can Disrupt Breathing?
When you have a deviated septum, one of the nasal passages is narrower than the other. This makes it harder for air to flow freely through your nose. As a result, you may experience:
- Nasal congestion: This can make it difficult to breathe, especially at night.
- Snoring: When you can't breathe through your nose, you may breathe through your mouth, which can cause loud snoring.
- Dry mouth and sore throat: Breathing through your mouth can dry out your throat and lead to a sore throat.
The Impact on Sleep Quality
A deviated septum is a condition in which your entire sleep schedule gets disturbed and you cannot sleep peacefully. If you notice breathing problems while sleeping, you might notice the following:
- Frequent awakenings: You may wake up multiple times during the night due to difficulty breathing.
- Restless sleep: Poor sleep quality can lead to restlessness and difficulty falling asleep.
- Daytime fatigue: Not getting enough quality sleep can leave you feeling tired and sluggish during the day.
Common Symptoms of Deviated Septum and Sleep Apnea
Both a deviated septum and sleep apnea can cause similar symptoms, including:
- Snoring: Loud snoring is a common symptom of both conditions.
- Daytime sleepiness: Feeling tired and sleepy during the day, even after a full night's sleep.
- Morning headaches: Waking up with headaches, especially in the morning.
- Difficulty concentrating: Poor sleep quality can impair your ability to focus and concentrate.
- Irritability: Lack of sleep can make you irritable and moody.
- Dry mouth and sore throat: Breathing through your mouth can lead to these symptoms.
Diagnosing Deviated Septum and Sleep Apnea
Usually, to diagnose a deviated septum, doctors mostly look at the inner part of the nose, and they try to look deep to determine the issue properly. For this, they use a medical tool named a nasal endoscope, which helps to look deeper and see your nasal passages.
The diagnosis process of sleep apnea is different from that of a deviated septum. To understand this condition properly, doctors study your sleep schedule and track your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels while sleeping.
Treatment Options for Deviated Septum
Mostly, a deviated septum doesn't affect you more, and usually, at an early stage, it does not need any treatment, but if you are suffering from this condition and you are facing some serious problems like breathing problems or sleep apnea, then you have to follow some treatments given below:
- Watchful waiting: Usually, if you are facing this condition at an early stage, then your doctor first understands the main causes to know whether it is serious or not.
- Medications: If you have a problem with your nasal airflow, then take corticosteroids or saline nasal sprays because they can reduce inflammation and improve breathing.
- Surgery: If your condition is serious and you didn't get well with other treatments, then the last solution for you is surgery. This type of surgery is called septoplasty. It helps you to improve your breathing and reduce snoring.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is also treated after understanding its severity, whether it is serious or not. The following are some common treatment options:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Usually, CPAP is a way that works well for your sleep apnea. In this condition, you have to wear a mask that helps you breathe well and open your airway while you sleep.
- Oral appliances: These devices fit in your mouth and help keep your airway open.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct anatomical issues that contribute to sleep apnea.
Can Surgery Cure Both Conditions?
Mostly, when the condition does not get better by following treatment and medication for both deviated septum and sleep apnea, then surgery becomes the permanent solution. Septoplasty is a procedure that improves the breathing process and reduces snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. It is important to first take the advice of your doctor for better treatment procedures.