If you’ve been struggling with sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring, difficulty breathing, or chronic fatigue, you may have wondered if a deviated septum could be a contributing factor. While sleep apnea is commonly linked to factors like obesity, age, and lifestyle choices, a deviated septum may also play a role in obstructing airflow and potentially worsening or even causing sleep apnea. In this blog, we’ll dive into the connection between a deviated septum and sleep apnea, exploring how nasal obstruction can affect your sleep quality and potential treatment options to alleviate symptoms.

What is a Deviated Septum?

The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone that separates the two sides of your nasal cavity, essentially dividing the left and right nasal passages. In an ideal scenario, the septum is straight, allowing optimal air flow through both nasal passages. However, a deviated septum occurs when the septum is displaced to one side, resulting in nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose. This condition can be congenital (present at birth) or caused by nose injury or trauma.

Common Symptoms of a Deviated Septum:

• Chronic nasal congestion
• Frequent sinus infections
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Mouth breathing
• Noisy breathing, especially during sleep
• Facial pain or discomfort
• Dry mouth from breathing through the mouth, particularly at night

While a deviated septum can cause various discomforts, many people may not realize that it could also contribute to more serious sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively, causing a temporary blockage of the upper airway. These interruptions can last from a few seconds to a minute or longer and can happen multiple times per hour, severely affecting sleep quality.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping for air during sleep
• Daytime sleepiness
• Frequent waking during the night
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Difficulty concentrating during the day

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Therefore, it’s important to identify and treat the underlying causes of sleep apnea.

Can a Deviated Septum Cause Sleep Apnea?

A deviated septum can certainly play a role in developing or exacerbating sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea. When the nasal septum is misaligned, it can obstruct airflow through the nasal passages, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose. This can result in people relying on mouth breathing to get enough air, which is less efficient and can increase the likelihood of airway collapse while sleeping.

Here’s how a deviated septum can contribute to sleep apnea:

1. Nasal Congestion and Difficulty Breathing

A deviated nasal septum can cause chronic nasal congestion in one or both nostrils, making it difficult to breathe freely through the nose. This can increase the upper airway’s resistance, making it harder to maintain proper airflow during sleep. When the nasal passages are blocked, you may be forced to breathe through your mouth, leading to mouth breathing during sleep. Mouth breathing can worsen sleep apnea by contributing to dry mouth and encouraging upper airway collapse during sleep.

2. Obstructed Airflow and Nasal Obstruction

As the nasal septum deviates, it can cause nasal obstruction that limits the amount of air flowing into the nasal cavity. This creates airway resistance, which can contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea. In these cases, the physical obstruction of the nasal passages can reduce airflow, making it more difficult to breathe during sleep. As a result, the airway may collapse more easily, causing the breathing pauses that characterize sleep apnea.

3. Increased Risk of Sinus Infections

A deviated septum can lead to a buildup of mucus in the nasal passages, which increases the risk of sinus infections. The inflammation caused by these infections can further block the nasal passages and increase the resistance in the airway, contributing to more frequent sleep apnea episodes. Chronic sinus infections can also exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms, making it harder to achieve a good night’s sleep.

4. Increased Nasal Cycle Disruption

A deviated septum can affect the natural nasal cycle, in which the air flows alternately through each nostril. When one nostril is blocked due to the deviation, the cycle becomes uneven, potentially causing more difficulty with breathing during sleep. This imbalance can worsen the nasal obstruction, further contributing to sleep apnea.

5. Sleep Quality

A deviated septum can negatively impact sleep quality by making breathing harder through your nose. Nasal congestion and difficulty breathing can cause interruptions in your sleep cycle, leading to more frequent awakenings and less restorative sleep. These disruptions can exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms, leading to more significant breathing difficulties at night.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea and a Deviated Septum

Suppose you suspect a deviated septum may contribute to your sleep apnea. In that case, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as an ENT doctor (ear, nose, and throat specialist) or a sleep specialist.

1. Sleep Study

One of the most effective ways to diagnose sleep apnea is through a sleep study (polysomnography). This test monitors various body functions during sleep, such as breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and muscle activity, to detect interruptions in sleep patterns. If sleep apnea is confirmed, the doctor will evaluate potential contributing factors, including nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum.

2. Physical Examination and Imaging

To assess the severity of the deviated septum, an ENT doctor may perform a physical examination and use imaging techniques such as a nasal endoscopy or CT scan to better look at the nasal passages. This helps determine if the deviated septum contributes to nasal obstruction or other issues that could affect breathing and lead to sleep apnea.

Treatment Options for a Deviated Septum and Sleep Apnea

If a deviated septum contributes to sleep apnea, several treatment options exist to help improve your breathing and alleviate symptoms.

1. Nasal Surgery (Septoplasty)

In cases where the deviated septum is significantly obstructing the nasal passages and causing sleep apnea symptoms, septoplasty (a surgical procedure to correct the septum) may be recommended. This surgery aims to straighten the septum, improving airflow and reducing nasal congestion. Septoplasty can help alleviate nasal obstruction, improve breathing, and reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

2. CPAP Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is often prescribed for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a mask to deliver a continuous air flow, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. While a deviated septum may still cause nasal congestion, a CPAP machine can help manage sleep apnea symptoms and improve sleep quality.

3. Nasal Steroid Sprays

If nasal congestion from a deviated septum is a major issue, nasal steroid sprays may help reduce inflammation and improve nasal airflow. These sprays can help manage mild sleep apnea symptoms caused by nasal obstruction, but are not a substitute for more permanent treatments like surgery or CPAP therapy.

4. Nasal Strips and Mouth Breathing Prevention

If a deviated septum is causing mild nasal obstruction, nasal strips may help provide temporary relief by opening the nasal passages. These strips can improve airflow and reduce the need for mouth breathing during sleep. However, they are not a long-term solution for sleep apnea caused by nasal obstruction.

5. Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medical treatments, lifestyle changes can help manage sleep apnea symptoms and improve sleep quality. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, sleeping on your side, and practicing good sleep hygiene can all help reduce sleep apnea episodes.

Conclusion

A deviated septum can contribute to sleep apnea by causing nasal obstruction, making breathing difficult during sleep. This can lead to interruptions in breathing, frequent awakenings, and poor sleep quality. If you suspect a deviated septum may be affecting your sleep, consult an ENT doctor or sleep specialist to determine the best course of treatment. Options such as septoplasty, CPAP therapy, and nasal steroids can help manage symptoms and improve breathing. Proper diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve sleep quality and overall health.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377636

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea#:~:text=Sleep%20apnea%20is%20a%20common,talk%20to%20your%20healthcare%20provider.