Many Houston Texans suffer from a deviated septum and don’t know it. A deviated septum is a condition in which the nasal septum, the wall that separates the nostrils, is crooked or off-center. This can cause difficulty breathing, snoring, and other health problems. If you think you may have a deviated septum, it’s essential to get it checked out by Dr. Cecil Yeung Houston. If left untreated, a deviated septum can lead to several health problems.
- Breathing Difficulty
The air goes through your nose and down your throat when you breathe in and out. If you have a deviated septum, the air may not flow evenly through your nose, making it difficult to breathe. This can lead to shortness of breath, especially when exercising or playing sports.
When oxygen levels in your body get too low, hypoxia happens when there’s not enough air in the lungs to release the carbon dioxide that builds up during respiration, resulting in an unbalanced proportion of gases in the blood. A severe lack of oxygen can lead to severe consequences, such as heart problems, brain damage, and even death.
- Snoring
When you sleep, the air doesn’t flow evenly through your nose, which can cause the tissues in your throat to vibrate and make a snoring sound. Snoring can be a nuisance for your partner and can also signify a more serious health problem, such as sleep apnea.
You can do a few things to reduce snoring if you have a deviated septum. One is to lose weight if you are overweight. Extra weight can pressure your throat and make it more difficult to breathe. Another is to avoid alcohol and sleeping pills, which can relax the muscles in your throat and make you snore. You may also want to try sleeping on your side instead of your back.
- Headaches
In a deviated septum, the air may not flow evenly through your nose, which can cause pressure and pain in your head. This is known as a sinus headache. Sinus headaches are caused by inflammation of the small sinuses’ air-filled cavities behind your cheeks, forehead, and eyes. Sinus infections are the most common cause of sinus headaches.
- High Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure of the blood flowing through your arteries is higher than usual. Hypertension can lead to many health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
One of the causes of high blood pressure is a deviated septum. When the air doesn’t flow evenly through your nose, the blood vessels in your head and neck can become swollen and irritated. This can cause the blood pressure flowing through them to increase, leading to hypertension.
If you think you may have high blood pressure, it’s essential to see a doctor. Treatment for hypertension usually includes lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and medications.
A deviated septum can cause several health problems, such as breathing difficulty, snoring, headaches, and high blood pressure. If you think you may have a deviated septum, it’s essential to get it checked out by a doctor. If left untreated, a deviated septum can lead to many health problems.