How Nasal Dilators Work for a Deviated Septum

Imagine trying to breathe through a straw that's been bent in half. 

That's what daily life feels like for some of the estimated 80% of people who have a degree of septal deviation, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. 

Your nasal septum - the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into two chambers - isn't perfectly straight. But for many people, this crooked partition makes the simple act of breathing in and out something of a battle. 

The good news? You don't always need surgery to find relief. Nasal dilators offer a simple, non-invasive solution that can make a real difference to how you breathe, sleep, and feel throughout your day.

What Causes a Deviated Septum?

A deviated septum happens when your nasal septum shifts away from the centre, blocking one or both nasal passages. Sometimes you're born with it - your nose simply develops this way. Other times, it's the result of an injury during childhood sports, an unfortunate encounter with a door frame, or even the birthing process itself.

As we age, the cartilage in our noses can also shift naturally. What might have been a minor deviation in your twenties could become more problematic as you reach your forties or fifties. The result is the same: one nostril works overtime while the other barely pulls its weight.

Recognising the Signs

The symptoms of a deviated septum extend far beyond just stuffy noses and can significantly impact your quality of life:

- Chronic nasal congestion - One nostril consistently feels blocked, regardless of how often you clear your nose or use decongestants. This persistent blockage forces you to rely more heavily on mouth breathing, especially during sleep.

- Disrupted sleep patterns - Increased snoring becomes a nightly occurrence as your body struggles to get adequate airflow through your nose. You may find yourself waking frequently during the night or feeling unrested despite a full night's sleep.

- Frequent headaches and facial pressure - Pain typically develops around your forehead, cheeks, and between your eyes. This happens because blocked sinuses can't drain properly, creating pressure that radiates throughout your facial area.

- Recurring sinus infections - Poor drainage from the blocked nasal passage creates an environment where bacteria and mucus can accumulate. This leads to more frequent sinusitis episodes that seem to return just weeks after treatment.

- Diminished sense of smell and taste - Reduced airflow through your nasal passages means fewer scent molecules reach your olfactory receptors. Since smell and taste are closely connected, you might notice that food doesn't taste as vibrant as it once did.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

Not everyone loves a bit of surgery on a Tuesday afternoon. The good news is that several conservative treatments can provide some relief. 

Decongestants and antihistamines help reduce inflammation, though they don't address the structural issue. Nasal corticosteroid sprays can shrink swollen tissues, temporarily improving airflow.

Nasal irrigation, using a neti pot or saline rinse, helps clear mucus and reduce congestion. However, these treatments only manage symptoms rather than addressing the underlying anatomical problem. 

That's where nasal dilators come into play as a middle ground between medication and surgery.

How Do Nasal Dilators Help?

Nasal dilators work by mechanically opening your nasal passages, creating more space for air to flow. Think of them as tiny scaffolding for your nose - they hold open areas that would otherwise collapse or remain narrow due to your deviated septum.

External nasal strips stick to the outside of your nose and gently pull your nasal passages open. Internal nasal dilators, like soft cones or specialised devices, work from inside your nostrils to create a clear pathway around the deviation. 

Both types increase the cross-sectional area of your nasal passages, reducing air resistance and making breathing significantly easier.

Types of Nasal Dilators

External Nasal Strips

These adhesive strips work by lifting the sides of your nose outward. They're particularly effective for people whose breathing difficulties stem from collapse of the nasal valve area - the narrowest part of your nasal passage. Many athletes use these during competitions to maximise their oxygen intake.

Internal Nasal Dilators

Soft, flexible cones or specialised devices fit inside your nostrils to create a clear airway. These work especially well for deviated septums because they can compensate for structural irregularities by creating a consistent opening on both sides of your nose. Some newer models are even customised to fit your specific nasal anatomy.

Key Differences Between Internal Nasal Dilators and External Nasal Strips

The Science Behind the Relief

Research published in medical journals shows that external nasal dilators can significantly improve nasal airflow, particularly in patients with septal deviation. The devices work by increasing the minimum cross-sectional area of your nasal passages - essentially creating a wider highway for air to travel.

Internal dilators take this concept further by acting as a stent inside your nose. They maintain an open pathway around the deviated septum, allowing for more symmetric breathing between both nostrils. This can be particularly helpful during sleep when natural muscle tone decreases and nasal passages tend to narrow further.

Benefits and Limitations

The immediate relief that nasal dilators provide can be life-changing. Many users report better sleep quality, reduced snoring, and improved exercise performance. They're completely non-invasive, affordable, and you can use them as needed without any side effects.

However, it's important to understand that nasal dilators don't cure a deviated septum - they manage its symptoms. 

The structural deviation remains, but the breathing difficulties associated with it become more manageable. For some people, this symptomatic relief is sufficient to avoid surgical intervention altogether.

When Surgery Becomes Necessary

Septoplasty, the surgical correction of a deviated septum, becomes an option when conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief. During this procedure, an ENT surgeon straightens and repositions the septum through incisions made inside the nostrils. Recovery typically takes several weeks, and while success rates are high, like any surgery, it carries inherent risks.

Many doctors now recommend trying nasal dilators before considering surgery, especially for patients with mild to moderate deviations. The non-invasive nature of dilators makes them an excellent testing ground to gauge how much improvement in breathing might be possible with surgical correction. 

However, surgery remains the definitive treatment for long-term correction of significant nasal obstruction.

Breathe Easy with Simple Solutions

A deviated septum might be a structural challenge you were born with or acquired through life's little accidents, but it doesn't have to restrict your daily comfort. 

Nasal dilators offer a practical, immediate solution that can restore the simple pleasure of taking a deep, satisfying breath through your nose.

If you're tired of feeling like you're breathing through that bent straw, consider exploring nasal dilator products. Sometimes the most effective solutions are also the simplest ones.