Doctor, I have had sinus problems as long as I can remember. I am a 36 year
old male professional and have had the following surgeries:
pyloric stenosis at age 6 mos.
tonsils at age 5
appendicitis at age 8
cryosurgery several times at age 15, 16
caldwell luc at age 17
I have had allergy testing (blood & needles) but no major allergies have been found, although most doctors have noted that I seem to have allergic symtoms. I have taken nasal steroids but they don't seem to work. The last ENT that I saw around 3 mos. ago noted that I had a deviated septum on the left side and recommended surgery.
I have the following symptoms:
Dryness of sinuses,
left side of nose closed up approximately 75% of the time
partially coated tongue ( Not major, but seems to be a layer of white coating
that can be scraped off with fingernail?)
chronic earache left side
headache (On one side of head, by left eustacian tube)
pain in eustacian tube (swelling, pressure)
swollen turbinate (Left side)
Neck Pain
My question is could all this be caused by a deviated septum?
Reply: --------------------------------
The symptoms you have described could very easily be attributable to a deviation of the nasal septum. While both nasal passages can be obstructed with a deviation of the septum, it is usually the case that one side may be worse than the other. Coating of the tongue is not uncommon and is due to a drying effect - remember that one of the main functions of the nose is to warm and humidify the air that one breathes. When the nose is obstructed, one breathes mostly through the mouth particularly at night. This explains the common phenomena of morning dry mouth and sore throat commonly seen in patients with nasal problems. Septal deviations that cause nasal airway obstruction also commonly cause eustachian tube problems, often worse on the side of the deviation. Surgery is the most definitive method of dealing with chronic symptoms due to a septal deformity, however I usually recommend a trial of nasal steroids first since this sometimes is effective. Certainly allergy evaluation and treatment can also be helpful. Finally, Breathe-Right nasal strips (commonly seen worn by pro athletes) can be effective in many patients while the strip is worn.
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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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