Alternative Treatment For Deviated Nasal Septum

Abstract

Have you ever been called a mouth breather? Are you fed up with frequent allergies and the symptoms associated with them? Do headaches always strike you down? Does your face hurt without any reason? Ever wondered why you favor the same side while sleeping? What is the reason for this sudden dryness that lingers over your mouth? While all these may seem quite unrelated, there is one thing that links them- a nose anomaly. Yes, a Deviated nasal septum can be the villain here!

Deviated Nasal Septum – What and Why?

The nasal septum is the fixed cartilaginous curtain between your two nostrils, with an interior bony portion. It is the structure that divides the nose into two nasal cavities and helps guide the air to the lungs. Without this partition, the air might tend to take slight detours, affecting lung capacity and respiratory health. Ideally, the septum is centrally placed to maintain the symmetry of the nasal passages; but in some individuals, this tends to deviate toward the right or left. We call this the Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS).

Causes

• For most people, DNS is congenital and can be manifested as a result of fetal development or birth injuries.
• Playing contact sports like boxing or wrestling where blows to the nose and face are common.
• Faulty dentition
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Getting hit in the nose
• Genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome, Homocystinuria, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Types of Deviated Nasal Septum

1. C-shaped deformity- where the septum is displaced to one side
2. S-shaped deformity- where the septum is S-shaped and is bulged into both the nasal cavities.
3. Anterior deformity- displacement of the cartilage, which constitutes the front part of the nasal septum.
4. Spur- spike-like emanations at the junction of the bony and cartilaginous part of the nasal septum.

Nasal septum deviations are very common and total up to 80% of the population. They do not require medical attention unless they interfere with the quality of life and cause respiratory distress.

Symptoms

• Nasal congestion– the deviation can cause blockage to one or both nostrils and may lead to breathing difficulty. While most of the time the obstruction goes unnoticed, this becomes evident when one has a cold or running nose.
• Snoring and whistling nose- snoring is often the result of obstructed airflow, and DNS is one of its stimulants. The block in the nasal passage can also cause your nose to whistle.
• Nasal bleeding (epistaxis)- the bend on your nasal septum can expose it to the stream of airflow and make it dry. The dryness might trigger the blood vessels on the septal surface to break and cause nosebleeds.
• Facial pain- due to the pressure of deviation or a possible inflammation of the septum
• Frequent sneezing- due to recurrent allergies.
• Sleep apnea- where the interval between breaths increases because of the hindrance.
• Sinusitis- sinuses are the air cavities of the skull. A deviated septum may interfere with the sinus drainage and cause harmful bacteria to grow there, leading to infections.
• Turbinate hypertrophy- turbinates are the bony structures with a soft tissue covering that controls the flow and warmth of inhaled air. DNS can cause inflammation to turbinates, thereby affecting their function.
• Dryness of mouth
• Recurrent allergies
• Frequent headaches

Diagnosis

Nasal septum deviations are so common and usually are not troublemakers. Most people are not even aware of the deviation till a medical issue comes up. Even in a straight nose, septal deviations can be present.

An Otorhinolaryngologist can diagnose the DNS with the help of physical examination and radio imaging techniques after history taking. Nasal endoscopy is a diagnostic test that gives a detailed view of the nasal cavity and passages.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the extent of the deviation. The primary treatment is the management of symptoms. Some of the medications include:-

• Decongestants- are medicines that relieve nasal congestion. They reduce the swelling of soft tissues and make breathing easy. Available as both nasal sprays and pills.
• Nasal sprays- these corticosteroid sprays help clear the nasal cavity by relieving turbinate hypertrophy and correcting the mucus drainage. Nasal sprays are usually slow acting and need to be used for a considerably long period.
• Antihistamines- helps you with allergic symptoms like sneezing and runny and itchy nose. Some of them have side effects like fatigue and sleepiness.
• Surgical correction- Septoplasty or the straightening of the nasal septum, and Rhinoplasty, or the shaping of the nose are the two methods of surgical intervention.

Ayurveda and DNS

Ayurveda describes Deviated Nasal Septum as Nasanaha (nasa- nose, anaha- obstruction) by Vagbhata (or Nasa pratinaha according to the texts Charaka Samhita, Susrutha Samhita, and Madhava Nidana) a disease of Vata-Kapha origin. Rather than a disease, it is mostly a symptom of other respiratory diseases, nasal congestion and breathing difficulty being the key features.

The main treatment modalities employed are:-

• Dhumapana or herbal smoke inhalation
• Swedana or sweating
• Nasya- instilling herbal nasal drops
• Snehapana- intake of medicated ghee processed with drugs that have nasal decongestant action. Scholar Susrutha has cited Snehapana as the supreme treatment for Nasapratinaha.
• Shirovasti- retaining medicated oils over the head
• Consumption of Bala taila- Sida cordifolia or Bala is a common drug of choice in Vata predominant diseases. It has been praised for its Vata alleviating action and has been used for centuries in different medicinal formulations.

Planet Ayurveda – An Introduction

Ayurveda has been our guide towards health for over 5000 years. It is an ancient but unparalleled science backed by scholarly wisdom and experience for centuries. Ayurveda is one of the rarest practices that teach us that respecting our body and mind is the key to health. The expertise of ancient scholars has been passed down through generations, and Planet Ayurveda is a humble carrier of the same. We are a globally renowned manufacturer of Ayurvedic products that never compromise the quality and authenticity of formulations. Our tried and tested herbal supplements including tablets, teas, capsules, powders, oils, juices, and cosmetic products, are proven to be highly effective for all age groups. For 20 years we’ve been striving to make Ayurveda a household name and that journey has been highly satisfying. The passion to build a healthy society and the curiosity to find gems in untouched waters are the factors that kindle us from the inside. Our team of doctors, the best and finest in the field of Ayurveda, will happily guide you through the path of healing. Planet Ayurveda has designed some Ayurvedic formulations that can help you deal with the difficulties caused by DNS:-

1. Curcumin Capsule
2. Septrin Tablet
3. Praanrakshak Churna
4. Amritadi Guggul
5. Brahmi Capsule
6. Ashwagandha Capsule

Product’s Description

1. Curcumin Capsule

Turmeric is not a stranger to Indian households. Curcuma longa, known as Haridra in Sanskrit, is an excellent anti allergic drug. Curcumin is an active principle of this herb that gives it its potency. It alleviates inflammation by lowering histamine levels and increasing cortisone production. Curcumin capsules help reduce allergic reactions and check inflammatory changes caused by DNS.

Dosage:- 1 capsule twice daily with water, after meals.

2. Septrin Tablet

This is a poly herbal product for the well-being of your respiratory system. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) having anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric (Curcuma longa) with antiallergic properties, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), which is antioxidant and antibacterial, and pepper (Piper nigrum) with penetrating action are the major ingredients.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily.

3. Praanrakshak Churna

This powder, a combination of more than 6 herbs, is curated for maintaining respiratory health. Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Shirish (Albizia lebbeck), Anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanica), nightshade (Solanum xanthocarpum), and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are some of the key ingredients. All these are known for facilitating and guaranteeing proper airflow to lungs with the bronchodilating, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti allergic actions.

Dosage– 1/2 teaspoon twice with ginger juice, after meals.

4. Amritadi Guggul

This is a classical preparation praised for balancing all three doshas. As the name suggests, Amrita or Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), known for its allergy-calming and antioxidant action is the major ingredient. Other noteworthy ingredients are Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), amla (Emblica officinalis), pepper (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), and Trivrit (Operculina turpethum). All of these are beneficial for reducing inflammation and the health of sinuses.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice.

5. Brahmi Capsule

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is a bittersweet herb with an influence on cough and sore throat associated with DNS. It eases the muscles and makes air circulation easier. This is the key ingredient of this preparation.

Dosage-1 capsule twice daily with water.

6. Ashwagandha Capsule

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant with multiple medicinal uses. Regular use of Ashwagandha Capsules makes respiratory muscles stronger and relieves stiffness. It helps to manage palpitations and breathing difficulty. It also alleviates insomnia and sleep apnea.

Dosage– 1 capsule twice daily with water.

Conclusion

Even fresh air is of no use if you don’t have the proper system to utilize it. Keeping one’s breathing tracts clear and anomaly-free is the only remedial measure. Reinstate your right to breathe through Planet Ayurveda! you can check our website www.PlanetAyurveda.com For more queries, you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com