You may struggle with constant congestion, trouble breathing, poor sleep, or frequent sinus pressure, all of which can affect your daily life. Dr. Ryan E. Stern, our board-certified ENT specialist, helps identify deviated septum issues and offers minimally invasive solutions.
Do You Feel Constantly Congested on One Side?
A deviated nasal septum occurs when the thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates your left and right nasal passages is crooked or off-center. This makes one side of your nose narrower than the other, restricting airflow and making it harder to breathe. Many people are born with a deviated septum, while others develop it after a nasal injury. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to chronic congestion, frequent sinus infections, difficulty breathing, and more.
Signs & Symptoms of a Deviated Nasal Septum
A deviated nasal septum can affect how well air flows through your nose and may cause symptoms that linger or worsen over time, especially if left untreated, including:
- Difficulty breathing through one or both sides of the nose
- Chronic nasal congestion that doesn’t fully clear
- One-sided nasal blockage that feels constant
- Frequent sinus infections or sinus pressure
- Nosebleeds caused by dry, irritated nasal passages
- Trouble sleeping or snoring due to restricted airflow
- Reduced sense of smell or taste
What Causes a Deviated Nasal Septum?
The nasal septum is made of cartilage and bone that should sit centered between your nasal passages to allow balanced airflow. When this structure shifts or develops unevenly, one side of the nose becomes narrower, limiting airflow and causing breathing difficulties over time.
This can happen for several reasons, including:
- Being born with a naturally crooked septum
- Changes in nasal growth during childhood or adolescence
- Injury or trauma to the nose from accidents or falls
- Sports-related impacts or repeated nasal contact
- A previous broken nose that healed improperly
Deviated Nasal Septum Treatment
Your visit starts with a detailed consultation focused on how your nose is actually working. Dr. Stern carefully reviews your symptoms, breathing patterns, sleep quality, and sinus history, then performs a hands-on nasal exam. This often includes using a small camera (nasal endoscopy) to examine your nasal passages and pinpoint where airflow is blocked. Every step is about confirming whether your septum is truly the problem and ruling out other causes.
If surgery is the right option, treatment typically involves a septoplasty. During this procedure, Dr. Stern works through the inside of your nose to straighten the septum by trimming, reshaping, or repositioning crooked cartilage and bone. Nothing is removed unnecessarily, and there’s no external scarring. The goal is simple: restore balanced airflow and improve breathing.
Why Choose Dr. Stern?
Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified ENT specialist with over 25 years of experience treating nasal and sinus conditions. He has proudly cared for the Pacific Northwest community for nearly 30 years, helping patients breathe better with thoughtful, personalized care. Dr. Stern offers minimally invasive nasal procedures whenever possible to ensure less downtime, faster recovery, and lasting results. Schedule your consultation to explore your treatment for a deviated nasal septum in Auburn or Federal Way, WA, today.
