Treating a Deviated Septum

Do you have a deviated septum? A deviated septum is a disorder in which the nasal septum -- the cartilage and bone that separate the right and left nostrils -- is off center or crooked. A deviated septum may be present at birth, may become crooked during fetal development, or may be caused by an injury. Having a deviated septum may cause problems such as nosebleeds or breathing difficulties. If you have a deviated septum, your ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) can help. Read on to find out how a deviated septum is treated.

1. Decongestants. If your deviated septum isn't severe, your symptoms may respond to treatment with medications. If you have a deviated septum, your doctor may prescribe decongestants. Decongestants are available as a nasal spray or pill. Decongestants are drugs that reduce nasal tissue inflammation, helping to keep the airways on both sides of the nose open. Medicine only treats the swollen mucus membranes and won't correct a deviated septum.

2. Antihistamines. Antihistamines may be prescribed to relieve symptoms of nasal obstruction by reducing swelling of the nasal membranes. Antihistamines are medicines that that help prevent allergy symptoms, including congestion and runny nose. They can also help nonallergic conditions such as those occurring with a cold. Follow the instructions on the package label or prescription carefully when taking an antihistamine.

3. Nasal Steroid Sprays. Nasal steroid sprays have anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce inflammation in the tissue that lines sinuses and nasal passages, making breathing easier. Your doctor may recommend using a steroid spray once daily. It usually takes from one to three weeks for nasal steroid sprays to reach their maximal effect. It is important to follow your healthcare provider's directions when using them.

4. Surgical Repair. If drug therapies don't work for you, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct your deviated septum (septoplasty). Your doctor may suggest septoplasty to repair your deviated septum. During the procedure, your nasal septum is straightened and repositioned in the center of your nose. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours and uses local or general anesthetic.The level of improvement you can expect with surgery depends on the severity of your deviation.

5. Rhinoplasty. In some cases, rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure that is performed to treat a deviated septum. Rhinoplasty involves modifying the cartilage and bone of your nose to change its size or shape or both. Rhinoplasty can be performed using local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Sometimes, the procedure performed at the same time as septoplasty.

Treat yourself to a better life. If you have a deviated septum, find a qualified ENT doctor in your local area and schedule a consultation. ENT doctors have received the proper training and education needed to treat a deviated septum. Treating your deviated septum can help you achieve a better quality of life!

Have you noticed discomfort in your sinuses? Is your partner noticing excessive snoring habits? It might be time for you to talk with your doctor about sleep apnea or other head and neck issues. Dr. William Bond, Jr. can be your Washington, DC expert for otolaryngology.

What is otolaryngology?

Otolaryngology is a form of medicine focused on the head and neck. You've probably heard these physicians referred to as "ENTs" or ear, nose, and throat doctors. ENT doctors are some of the most highly trained physicians, requiring at least 15 years of schooling to earn a license.

These physicians diagnose and treat patients who have symptoms in the head and neck area.

What are common symptoms of otolaryngology issues?

Some typical signs that you may have an otolaryngological issue are:

• Sore throat
• Sneezing and runny nose
• Coughing
• Ear pain
• Loss of smell or taste
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Difficulty breathing through nose
• Sinus pressure
• Difficulty with balance
• Snoring

Common otolaryngological diagnoses include:

• Sinus infection
• Deviated septum
• Tonsilitis
• Sleep apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breath during sleep. This is caused by an airway obstruction, sometimes from overly relaxed tongue and throat muscles. Other risk factors for sleep apnea include obesity and having a larger tongue or tonsils.

Often, sleep apnea causes disrupted sleep, leading to excessive sleepiness during waking hours. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated with your Washington, DC, ENT specialist.

What to expect during your otolaryngology appointment

When you speak with the doctor, be prepared to answer questions about the duration and nature of your symptoms. You can expect the doctor to examine your mouth and throat, as well as your nasal cavities and ear canals.

Don't hesitate to ask questions - you want to make sure you gather as much information as possible while you are face-to-face with your doctor.

Schedule an appointment today!

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, or your partner is concerned about sleep apnea, call Dr. Bond today at (202) 726-7770 to schedule your consultation for ENT issues or sleep apnea in Washington, DC.

From outdoor allergies to asthma, there are many reasons why you or your child may be having trouble with your breathing. Breathing problems can be distressing and it’s important to understand when symptoms warrant seeing an otolaryngologist for a proper evaluation.

Common Causes of Breathing Problems

You may have trouble breathing if you are dealing with:

• Common cold
• Acute or chronic sinusitis
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Deviated septum
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Bronchitis
• Other upper respiratory infections (e.g. pneumonia)

While some conditions like the common cold will only cause mild and temporary symptoms, if you notice that your symptoms are serious, don’t respond to at-home care or are getting worse then it’s time to seek medical attention. After all, there are certain conditions such as sinusitis that can become chronic if not properly treated. An ENT doctor will know exactly what medications and treatments to offer to reduce sinus inflammation and to make breathing easier.

Chronic breathing problems, particularly those caused by allergies and asthma, may also be associated with:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness or congestion
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Coughing that gets worse at night
• Shallow breathing

Asthma symptoms are usually detected early in childhood; however, it is still possible for adults to be diagnosed later in life (known as adult-onset asthma). If you or your child are experiencing difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest made worse by cold air, stress, or exercise it’s important that you see an ENT doctor right away. While asthma cannot be cured it can be properly managed with long-term medication. Leaving asthma untreated could be harmful to your health.

Testing and Diagnosis

When you come into the office an otolaryngologist will have you fill out detailed information about your family and personal medical history. Your doctor will also perform a physical exam. Pulmonary function tests are often used to test lung function in those suspected of having asthma. Of course, there are other breathing tests such as spirometry. Your doctor will also ask you questions about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing in order to rule out certain conditions or illnesses.

The treatment plan you receive will depend on the issue you are dealing with. For example, acute sinusitis can often be managed with over-the-counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines while chronic sinusitis may require more aggressive treatment such as prescription steroid sprays, oral corticosteroids, and endoscopic nasal surgery to remove the blockage or to repair the deviated septum. Your otolaryngologist can help you get your breathing problems under control.

Do you have breathing problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath, a chronically stuffed nose, or throat tightness? If so, you should seek a consultation with your local ENT physician. These doctors have numerous ways to diagnose and treat your breathing problems associated with the nose and upper airway so you can function well and get on with your daily life.

The symptoms of breathing problems

Breathing problems associated with asthma, pneumonia, COPD, or bronchitis usually differ from those stemming from the nasal passages, larynx, or trachea. For respiratory difficulty associated with the lungs, patients see a pulmonary specialist. For the upper airway, people see an otolaryngologist.

What are the symptoms of upper airway breathing problems? You may experience some or all of the following:

• Wheezing which is noticeable to other people
• Persistent coughing
• Mouth breathing
• Voice hoarseness
• Fatigue to the extreme, particularly on exertion
• Throat tightness
• Constant nasal congestion and frequent nose blowing

What could be the cause?

According to Michigan Medicine, chronic or acute sinusitis (aka sinus infection) affects millions of people in the US. If left untreated, sinusitis leaves patients feeling fatigued due to the increased symptoms of coughing, congestion, and nose blowing.

Common causes for acute sinusitis include inflammation from allergies and exposure to viruses and bacteria from environmental pollution. Chronic sinusitis may stem from exposure to tobacco smoke, although it arises more commonly from nasal polyps, inflamed sinus turbinates, and deviated septums.

Diagnosing and treating breathing problems

As related to the upper airway, your ENT will ask you to describe your symptoms. Then, your nasal passages and sinuses will be examined with an endoscope, a thin, lighted tube which contains a small camera.

The otolaryngologist takes images of structures which could be obstructing your airway and causing your symptoms. Precise CT scanning gives the doctor more views of what's happening inside the air-filled cavities that we call sinuses.

Common treatments include steroidal sprays, oral steroids, antibiotics, allergy testing, pain treatment, and sinus surgery (a last resort option). Additionally, simple nasal irrigation with a Neti pot can flush out excess mucus, open passages, and reduce breathing difficulties.

Tackle your breathing problems

Your ENT doctor can help relieve your discomfort by listening to your symptoms, carefully performing a full assessment, and curating a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Make the call today!

Do you need head and neck surgery? With these treatments, your Washington D.C. otolaryngologist, Dr. William Bond, Jr. M.D., treats both benign and malignant conditions that affect the head and neck. Here are 5 reasons why you may need one of these procedures!

1. Head & Neck Cancer: Your otolaryngologist may recommend a specific surgical procedure depending on the type and stage of your head and neck cancer. Types of surgery for head and neck cancer include laser surgery, excision, flexible robotic surgery, lymph node removal, and reconstructive microsurgery. During surgery, the goal is to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue.

2. Parotid Tumor: Parotid tumors are the most common type of salivary gland tumors. While the majority of parotid tumors are benign, the parotid glands are where almost 25 percent of malignant tumors develop. If you have a parotid tumor, you may notice a lump in the jaw area. In most cases, surgery to remove part or all of the parotid gland is the preferred treatment for parotid tumors.

3. Neck Lump: All neck lumps in adults and children should be checked right away by a doctor. There are many causes of abnormal lumps in the neck, although most lumps generally turn out to be enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by viral or bacterial or viral infections, cancer, or other causes. If the cause is a mass or cyst, you may need surgery to remove it.

4. Oral Cancer: Oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, with only a biopsy able to give a definitive diagnosis. During a biopsy, your doctor will remove a small amount of tissue for laboratory analysis. A pathologist will examine the cells under a microscope to see if they're cancerous. If oral cancer is detected early, it is almost always curable through surgery.

5. Thyroid Nodules: Thyroid nodules are lumps that form within the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Most thyroid nodules are harmless and do not cause symptoms. However, about five percent of thyroid nodules do prove to be cancerous. A thyroid nodule that's benign may require surgery, especially if it's so big that it makes it hard to swallow or breathe. Surgery may also be recommended for patients with large multinodular goiters, particularly when the goiters constrict airways, blood vessels, or the esophagus.

Give Us a Call!

Ready to take control of your health? If you think you may need head and neck surgery, call the William Bond, Jr. M.D. office at (202) 726-7770 right now to schedule an otolaryngology consultation in Washington, D.C. Make an investment in your health now and for your future—you’re worth it!