Can a Deviated Septum Cause Headaches?

Introduction

Does a deviated septum cause headaches? It is a question asked by many people who suffer from regular headaches coupled with problems such as congestion or breathing difficulties. In a deviated septum, the wall dividing the two nasal cavities is shifted to one side. While many people might have a slightly deviated septum and never know about it because they don’t exhibit any signs of it, an extremely deviated septum may result in breathing difficulties, sinus pressure buildup, and regular headaches. So, knowing whether does a deviated septum cause headaches, along with other aspects, can be useful for you.

What Is a Deviated Septum?

Deviated septum is a nasal septum which is far from the center of the nose making one nostril smaller than the other one. There are people born with this disease while for others this condition develops after an injury to the nose.

Can a Deviated Septum Result in Headaches?

Yes, the deviated septum may lead to headaches as a consequence of chronic obstruction of the nasal passages or sinus pressure. If the nasal passages are blocked, mucus drainage may be affected leading to inflammation and the formation of pressure in the sinuses which may cause a headache, primarily in the forehead region, around the eyes, cheeks, and over the bridge of the nose.

However, all types of headaches are not necessarily related to the deviated septum. Some other medical conditions such as migraine, tension-type headache, and sinus infections may lead to such symptoms. In any case, a medical examination is required for the proper diagnosis.

Symptoms of a Deviated Septum That May Cause Headaches

A patient having the deviated septum is likely to face a number of symptoms, such as:

Obstruction of breathing from one or both nostrils

Nasal congestion

Sinus infections

Facial pressure

Headaches

Bleeding from the nose

Options for Treatment in a Case of a Deviated Septum

The options for treatment are based on the severity of symptoms.

In case of mild symptoms, the patient will be recommended to undergo conservative treatment including:

• Saline nasal sprays

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays

• Histamine for the swelling caused by allergies

• Decongestants (when used strictly according to the instructions)

What to Do to Avoid Headaches Due to the Presence of a Deviated Septum?

In case you experience headaches due to a deviated septum, the following steps may be taken to avoid them:

Keep your nasal passages moisturized using saline spray.

Drink plenty of water.

Take care of the seasonal allergies.

Avoid tobacco smoke.

If the air is too dry, use a humidifier.

When to Seek Professional Help

You should see an ENT doctor when experiencing:

Frequent or painful headaches

Ongoing nasal congestion

Troubles breathing through the nose

Ongoing sinus infections

Frequent nosebleeds

Insomnia due to blocked nose

An early diagnosis will be helpful to prevent any possible complications.

Conclusion

Can a deviated septum cause headaches? Yes, it can when accompanied by chronic nasal blockage and pressure in the sinuses. Even though most people suffer from a slightly deviated septum and do not experience any symptoms at all, a more serious deviated septum can result in headaches, facial pressure and breathing troubles. Thankfully, there are a number of treatment methods available including medicine and even surgery.