For individuals plagued by seasonal allergies, spring often brings blossoming flowers and those dreaded allergy symptoms. While many find it convenient to manage their allergies with medications and lifestyle changes, those with a deviated septum may find their symptoms exacerbated. If you frequently experience a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, or sinus infections, you should explore the relationship between a deviated septum surgery in Los Angeles and seasonal allergies and how deviated septum surgery can help provide relief.
Understanding Seasonal Allergies and Deviated Septum
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, occur when the immune system overreacts to allergens, such as pollen, mold spores, or grass. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and throat irritation. While medications like antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids can help alleviate symptoms, they may offer limited relief for individuals with structural abnormalities like a deviated septum.
A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall (septum) between the nasal passages is displaced to one side, obstructing airflow and causing nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and recurrent sinus infections. While some individuals are born with a deviated septum, others may develop it due to injury or trauma to the nose.
The combination of seasonal allergies and a deviated septum can exacerbate nasal symptoms, making breathing challenging, especially during allergy season. Blocked nasal passages trap allergens, leading to increased inflammation and worsening allergy symptoms. Moreover, nasal congestion resulting from both conditions is disruptive to sleep patterns, and can impair the sense of smell, and decrease overall quality of life.
Deviated Septum Surgery in Los Angeles: A Solution for Allergy Sufferers
Deviated septum surgery, known as septoplasty, is a procedure that straightens the nasal septum to improve airflow through the nasal passages. While septoplasty is often performed to address breathing difficulties and chronic sinusitis, it is also beneficial to individuals with seasonal allergies. Deviated septum surgery alleviates nasal congestion and enhances the effectiveness of allergy treatments.
During septoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision inside the nose and lifts the septum’s mucous membrane. The deviated portion of the septum is then reshaped or removed to create a straighter nasal passage. In some cases, additional procedures such as turbinate reduction or sinus surgery are performed concurrently to optimize nasal function and airflow.
Conditions That Qualify for Deviated Septum Surgery
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a deviated nasal septum, the partition between the two nasal cavities. Below are conditions that are treatable with deviated septum surgery in Los Angeles:
Nasal Obstruction: Persistent nasal obstruction that affects breathing, despite trying non-surgical treatments such as nasal sprays or allergy medications.
Deviated Septum: A deviated septum that causes significant obstruction or blockage in one or both nostrils, leading to difficulty in breathing, chronic nasal congestion, or recurrent sinus infections.
Trauma: Nasal trauma or injury that has resulted in a deviated septum, causing breathing difficulties or other symptoms.
Chronic Sinusitis: Recurrent or chronic sinus infections that do not respond well to other treatments, and are possibly exacerbated by a deviated septum.
Nasal Deformity: Nasal deformity or asymmetry caused by a deviated septum, which may affect appearance as well as function.
Breathing Problems: Difficulty breathing through the nose, particularly during physical activity or sleep, due to nasal obstruction.
Snoring or Sleep Apnea: Septoplasty may be considered as part of treatment for snoring or sleep apnea if the deviated septum contributes to the condition.
These criteria are generally assessed by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) through a physical examination, medical history review, and possibly imaging studies such as a nasal endoscopy or CT scan. It’s important for patients to discuss their symptoms and concerns with their healthcare provider to determine if septoplasty is an appropriate treatment option for them.
Benefits of Septoplasty for Seasonal Allergy Sufferers
While the link between allergic rhinosinusitis and a deviated septum is not as clear, there are studies highlighting the benefits of septoplasty for those with allergies, especially in cases where the cause is due to septum deviation. In many cases, significant improvements in the following areas are possible:
Improved Nasal Airflow: By straightening the nasal septum and widening the nasal passages, septoplasty enhances airflow, making breathing easier through the nose and reducing nasal congestion.
Enhanced Allergy Treatment Response: With improved nasal ventilation, allergy medications such as nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines can penetrate the nasal passages more effectively, providing better symptom relief for seasonal allergy sufferers.
Reduced Nasal Inflammation: Septoplasty can help alleviate chronic nasal inflammation caused by a deviated septum, reducing the severity of allergy symptoms and decreasing the need for frequent use of allergy medications.
Prevention of Sinus Infections: By improving nasal drainage and reducing nasal congestion, septoplasty can lower the risk of sinus infections, which are common complications of both seasonal allergies and deviated septum.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Relief from nasal congestion, improved breathing, and better response to allergy treatments can significantly enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with seasonal allergies and a deviated septum.
Recovery and Long-Term Outcomes
Septoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia, and most patients can return home the same day. Recovery time varies, but patients may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and nasal congestion in the days following deviated surgery in Los Angeles. Nasal saline rinses, pain medication, and nasal steroid sprays are prescribed to aid recovery and promote healing.
In the long term, many patients experience significant improvement in nasal symptoms and allergy symptom management after septoplasty. However, it is essential to follow postoperative care instructions provided by the surgeon and attend follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address any concerns.
Conclusion
Finding relief from nasal congestion and other symptoms can be challenging for individuals suffering from seasonal allergies and a deviated septum. Fortunately, septoplasty is a viable solution that corrects the structural abnormalities contributing to nasal obstruction and impaired airflow. When performed by a highly experienced, board-certified surgeon like Dr. Alen N. Cohen, deviated septum surgery in Los Angeles can enhance the effectiveness of allergy treatments and provide long-term relief for allergy sufferers.
If you’re struggling with nasal congestion and seasonal allergies despite conservative treatments, contact the Southern California Sinus Institute to learn more about septoplasty.