Deviated Septum Specialist

Alexis Furze, MD -  - Otolaryngology

Alexis Furze, MD

Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery located in Newport Beach, CA

Up to 80% of the population in the United States have a septum that’s not entirely straight, and in moderate to severe cases, this misalignment is labeled a deviated septum, which can lead to chronic nasal cavity problems. At his practice in Newport Beach, California, Alexis Furze, MD, is double board-certified in plastic surgery and head and neck surgery and has performed more than 15,000 nasal procedures, helping his patients in Orange County breathe easier. If you’re plagued by problems because of a deviated septum, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Deviated Septum Q & A

What is a deviated septum?

Your septum is a wall of cartilage that separates your nostrils, and ideally, this divider runs perfectly straight so that your nostrils are balanced in their duties. But up to 80% of the U.S. population has a crooked septum, rendering one nostril larger than the other.

In most cases, this structural problem doesn’t pose any problems, but if the misalignment is moderate to severe, you may be left with ongoing nasal issues that affect your overall health.

What complications can a deviated septum cause?

A deviated septum can lead to a host of problems, including:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chronic or recurrent sinusitis
  • Runny nose
  • Snoring
  • Sleep apnea
  • Postnasal drip
  • Nosebleeds
  • Pain
  • Headaches
  • Chronic nasal congestion

The symptoms of a deviated septum range from mild to severe, and the severity of your symptoms dictates how Dr. Furze goes about treatment.

How is a deviated septum treated?

After ruling out other issues that may lead to the same symptoms, such as nasal polyps or enlarged turbinates, Dr. Furze comes up with a treatment plan that best suits your unique situation. While he prefers to start out conservatively, these treatments only address the symptoms and not the underlying problem.

If your deviated septum causes only mild problems, Dr. Furze may recommend nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, or nasal dilators to remedy the complications and discomfort. But these measures only offer short-term and temporary relief.

For long-term relief from a deviated septum, a septoplasty is an effective solution that corrects the structural problem once and for all. Dr. Furze has extensive experience performing septoplasties, helping many patients in Orange County, and beyond, breathe freely.

After he puts you under general or local anesthesia, Dr. Furze makes a small incision in your septum and then sets to work to straighten and reposition this cartilage wall. No two septoplasties are alike as each structure is unique, but Dr. Furze’s goal with each procedure is to leave a sufficient amount of cartilage and bone intact to maintain the structural integrity of your septum.

If you’re struggling with a deviated septum that’s impairing your ability to breathe or causing other problems, call Alexis Furze, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.