Having a deviated nasal septum is a condition that affects a wide range of people. It is estimated that 80% of the population in the US alone has a deviated septum. Some people are born with it, due to trouble during childbirth for instance; others suffer direct injury to the nose, leading to the off-centering of the septum.
Ranging in severity, it can go from just being an aesthetic problem to the enabler of sinusitis, noisy breathing, poor sleep performance, physical obstruction of one of the nostrils, nosebleeds and facial pain. These symptoms might be amplified when you catch a cold, flu or have an allergic reaction. There are surgical procedures that can correct the most severely deviated septa, however, if your case isn't very serious, there is medication available to treat the problem.
Before we continue, it is important to note that, while these medications help you in reducing the problems associated with having a deviated septum, they will not actually correct the shape or position of your septum. That can only be done through surgery. All these medications do is act on the turbinates (the channels in your nose that control moisture and air temperature), blood vessels, nerves and tissues inside your nose, as a way to reduce their swelling and thus alleviate the symptoms you might have.
Three Types of Deviated Septum Medication
There are three major classes of medication in this field. We will discuss the way they work, what they do and what you should look out for in terms of limitations and drawbacks.
Decongestants
What it is?
Medicine that helps in relieving the symptoms of a stopped up/runny nose, so you can resume breathing through your nose. It will not have a direct effect over sneezing, itches, or allergies.
What it does?
Decongestants reduce the swelling of tissue (blood vessels and the mucous membrane) in and around your nose, increasing the available space the air has to move in and out of it. They are especially effective when you can't breathe through your nose, due to having flu or a bad allergy episode.
How decongestants help a deviated septum?
You can find them as nasal spray, drops, and liquids. As you apply it inside your nose, you'll feel your airway opening up and have an easier time breathing. You can obtain them without a prescription. There are also pills and tablets that act as decongestants, and they will have the same effect as the nasal spray.
Things to look out for
You shouldn't use nasal decongestants for long periods of time, ideally not over three days. If you do, you'll need an increased dosage to get the same effects and, when you finally stop taking the medicine, your nose will be more stopped up. Regarding pills, be aware that they have stimulants. As a result, you might find yourself a little jittery as you take them, and also experience increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Further reading: Decongestants for a Stuffy Nose
Antihistamines
What it is?
Antihistamines work on reducing an allergic response to an external trigger. They will not directly help a stopped up/runny nose.
What it does?
When your body comes in contact with allergic substances, it produces histamines that make tissues in your nose and eyes swell, as a way to protect your body from external threats. Antihistamines reduce or block histamines, helping with easing the symptoms.
How antihistamines help a deviated septum?
Antihistamines can come in tablets, eye drops, nasal sprays, capsules, and liquids. Some of these are directed towards a specific type of allergy (for instance, a food allergy), so not all the antihistamines on the market have the same effects. As mentioned earlier, they will reduce the histamines in your body causing the allergic reaction.
Things to look out for
One common side effect of antihistamines is the drowsiness they induce, which can make the tasks of operating heavy machinery and driving harder. You might find it challenging even to keep yourself awake, so it is always best to take this kind of medication before going to sleep. Antihistamines can interact with other medications you are currently taking, so please consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
Further reading: Antihistamine Medications: What's Available and Side Effects
Nasal Steroid Sprays
What it is?
Steroids are man-made hormones usually produced in the adrenal glands. When they are sprayed inside your nose, they will alleviate the symptoms of allergy.
What it does?
These sprays were created to deal with allergies and conditions that directly affect your nose. They reduce the swelling of tissue, can control sneezing and ease a runny or blocked nose. They can be used over longer periods of time when compared to nasal spray decongestants.
How nasal steroids help a deviated septum?
Nasal steroid sprays, when applied inside your nose, have the effect of a decongestant and an antihistaminic to a certain degree: not only you are easing the congestion in your nose, but also tackling the sneezing, itching, and swelling at the same time. They also can help in reducing some benign polyps that might exist in the lining of the nasal passage, allowing for more space so the air can flow easily.
Things to look out for
Continued use of these sprays might cause nasal irritation, a feeling of dryness inside your nose and mouth and, on rare occasions, nosebleeds. Even though you can take them for a longer period than decongestants, it is advised that you don't use them for longer than a month.
Further reading: Medications To Treat Seasonal Allergies and Hay Fever
Summing Up
Even if you don't want to go through surgery to correct your deviated nasal septum, there are many options to deal with the symptoms that might arise from that condition.
If you only have a slight deviation, then using medication when the problems arise may be a very effective solution for you. You can choose between pills, sprays, liquids, and tablets, which gives you a lot of flexibility depending on what you're used too and how fast you need the results to be.
However, if you feel that your condition doesn't improve over time, consider talking to your doctor for more definitive options, as these issues can have a great impact on your long-term wellbeing.
References:
Deviated septum - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic
Nasal corticosteroid sprays: Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia
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