In addition to improving your overall health, there are supplements for a deviated septum you can take that will reduce your deviated septum symptoms.
Let’s take a look:
What Pills Help with Deviated Septum?
Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties and is an effective antioxidant. Individuals with deviated nasal septum often complain of congestion of the nose and sinus, nasal discharge, and a feeling of pressure and tenderness in the areas of sinuses. In such individuals, Vitamin C can reduce the inflammation of mucosa present in the nose and sinuses.
Vitamin C also helps reduce histamine levels in the body, which is responsible for causing nose and sinus congestion.1Meletis CD. Natural Approaches to Sinusitis Relief. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 2000 Apr;6(2):69-71.
Research suggests that external application of Vitamin C creams in the nasal mucosa help improve mucociliary clearance (defence mechanism to remove microorganisms from the airway). It is also an effective anti-allergic supplement which can modify the immune system by targeting damage-causing cells.
Vitamin C can be taken alone orally or can be combined with other medications to treat the symptoms of deviated nasal septum.2Jiao, J., Meng, N., Wang, H., & Zhang, L.The effects of vitamins C and B12 on human nasal ciliary beat frequency. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;13(1).
Vitamin D supplementation is an effective therapy against respiratory tract infections. It is observed that individuals with vitamin D deficiency often develop sinonasal and other upper respiratory tract infections.3Tomaszewska M, Sarnowska E, Rusetska N, et al. Role of Vitamin D and Its Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Rhinosinusitis. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019;38(2):108-118.
Usually, mucus (a slimy substance) secreted by the mucosa (inner skin) of the nose and sinuses trap microorganisms present in the air inhaled and drain them out through the throat.
This process is known as mucociliary clearance. In individuals with vitamin D deficiency, mucociliary clearance is delayed which leads to accumulation of mucus within the nose and sinuses, increasing congestion and chances of subsequent infections.
The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D help decrease the swelling of inflamed mucosa (inner skin) of the nose and sinuses. Vitamin D also regulates the function of immune cells in sinuses. In individuals with vitamin D deficiency, the immune response may get interrupted and increase susceptibility to infections.4Akcan FA, Dündar Y, Akcan HB, Uluat A, Cebeci D, Ünlü İ. Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance time in patients with Vitamin-D deficiency. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;276(4):1075-1080.
Magnesium is known for its antioxidant effect which reduces the inflammation of nasal mucosa. It plays an important role in providing relief from headaches. Magnesium blocks chemicals (serotonin) which transmit pain to the brain, consequently helping relieve headaches. In case of deficiency, daily intake of 350mg in women and 400mg in men is prescribed.5Mauskop A. Headache alternatives: Drug-Free therapies for preventing, reducing, and ending the pain of migraines and other headaches. Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine. 2007 Nov 1(292):83-6.
The oral intake of calcium reduces the swelling of mucosa in the nose and sinuses. It also regulates the mucociliary clearance, assisting in relieving the congestion.6Bachert C, Drechsler S, Hauser U, Imhoff W, Welzel D. Influence of oral calcium medication on nasal resistance in the nasal allergen provocation test. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 1993 Feb 1;91(2):599-604.
Deviated Septum and Vitamin Deficiency – What Role Does It Play?
Deviated septum and vitamin deficiency do not have a direct cause-effect relationship. But deficiency of vitamins can exacerbate the symptoms associated with a deviated septum.
Research suggests the low levels of vitamins in the body increase the frequency of mucosal diseases such as infections of the nose and sinuses.10Huang, Y., Liu, A., Liu, L., Wang, B., & Liang, G. The association between vitamin deficiency and otolaryngologic diseases: A therapeutic target. Medical Hypotheses. 2019. 109448.
Vitamins A, C, and E have antioxidant effects that help remove infection-causing substances from the mucosa of nose and sinuses and combat infections. Vitamin E has an essential role to maintain and protect the tissues of the nose and sinuses. Vitamin C and D have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling of the mucosa, clearing the airway to breathe.
Vitamin D deficiency can delay the nasal mucociliary clearance which may increase the accumulation of mucus within the nose and sinuses, obstructing the nasal passage. Meanwhile, Vitamin C deficiency can cause mucosal bleeding in the nose and increase the incidence of sinus infections.11Huang, Y., Liu, A., Liu, L., Wang, B., & Liang, G. The association between vitamin deficiency and otolaryngologic diseases: A therapeutic target. Medical Hypotheses. 2019. 109448.
Individuals suffering from symptoms of deviated nasal septum should keep track of these vitamin levels and consult a doctor for supplements.
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