I have been having allergy symptoms for past two or three years. Stuffy nose
-- I can't breathe through nose without help from Seldane-D which I take
everyday and sometimes Flunose -- a nasal spray which I seem to need in the
wintertime. Without medications, my nose and head get so stuffy. I don't
seem to sneeze or to have itchy eyes. I never seem to have runny nose with
or without medications. I do notice that my body especially joints do ache
if I don't take medications. Often it feels like flu. Skin tests show that
I am not really allergic to ANYTHING. I showed MILD reaction to maple and
goldenweed which didnt seem significant enough for my allergist so he
referred me to ENT and the ENT dr confirmed that I have deviated septum and
recommended surgery. I need your opinion. Will the surgery solve my
so-called allergy symptoms? I am very concerned that I am having year around
problems that require medications everyday. I am concerned abt the impact of
medications on my health or immune system. Any thoughts on this? Will you
be e-mailing directly to me or do I have to check web for your answer?
Thanks.
Reply: ---------------------
The description of your symptoms is certainly consistent with having a deviated septum particularly since allergy testing has essentially been negative. However, non-specific or vasomotor rhinitis may also be a factor in your nasal airway obstruction in addition to the deviated septum and this would explain the improvement you experience with medication. I would agree that if there is an obvious septal deformity with visible obstruction to your nasal passage, that surgery would very likely be the most definitive method of treatment. If there is significant turbinate swelling from rhinitis present, there are laser procedures available to shrink the size of the turbinates further enhancing the patency of the nasal breathing passage, which can be done in the same setting as surgery to correct the septum. I have previously given a description of the septoplasty operation in a prior post - please refer to "previous questions" section entitled "deviated septum".
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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