by Sleeping with a deviated septum is tough. It doesn’t matter how much to readjust, toss, and turn in your bed; nothing works, and you never get the quality sleep you want.
Well, one thing you need to know here is that you are not alone. Many people have to deal with these issues, but the effects can vary from one individual to another.
Of course, surgery can truly sort things out for you. But if you don’t want to go down that route, there are various other ways that you can improve your sleep quality.
To help you out, we have developed this guide so you may find out the best sleep position while dealing with a deviated septum.
What sleep position is worst for someone with a deviated septum?
Sleeping on the side that has the most congestion and blockage should be avoided. This puts more pressure on the blocked nasal passage. Sleeping on your back can also worsen breathing issues related to the deviated septum. The best position is sleeping on your side with the open nostril downward to allow for gravity drainage. Using pillows to prop up your head can also help.
What is a Deviated Septum?
It is a condition that involves severe irregularity associated with your nose cartilage. The septum is the bone tissue inside your nose, and it separates the nostrils.
But in some cases, it is not placed evenly, and as a result, one nostril is bigger than the other. This can result in various health complications and annoyance while sleeping.
Of course, surgical treatment is crucial in this situation, but if you don’t want that, there are various other ways to deal with this problem.
What Causes Deviated Septum?
This condition is congenital in most cases. But these conditions can also occur due to some damage to your nose.
These injuries might happen during fights, road accidents, collisions, or physical activities. And the worst part is that this condition tends to get worse with age.
Therefore, you must get the treatment done as soon as you can. But we highly recommend that you go for surgery and start living a normal life as you were before the incident occurred.
Deviated septum might not be that big of an issue for you because it varies in severity from person to person.
Can This Condition Cause Snoring?
Yes, a deviated septum can be the reason for your snoring, as it can cause difficulties in breathing. As your septum is placed in an irregular position, you might have to deal with some breathing issues. But your body is taking in the same level of oxygen that you need. That is why you don’t feel suffocated with a deviated septum. Moreover, these nose conditions can cause sleep apnea, where your body stops breathing for some period while sleeping at night (also check the top rated mattresses for sleep apnea).
And when this happens, your body and brain do not receive sufficient oxygen. Therefore, it can ultimately lead to various other health conditions.
But you might overlook this issue if you prefer to sleep on your side and don’t move around too much through the night. If you have a specific sleep position preference, you might try to change it and see how that affects your breathing. If you notice you feel difficulty in breathing, you have deviated septum.
Best Sleeping Position for Deviated Septum
Whether you are dealing with a deviated septum, neck pain, or some other issue, it directly impacts your ability to sleep well. It is better to sleep in a position that is the most comfortable for you.
There are three most common positions that you need to sleep in. And if you don’t feel comfortable, you can always switch your position to a more conducive one.
Sleeping on your right side
If you find sleeping on your left side noisy, switch to your right side. If you again notice that your left nostril is blocked in the first place, sleeping on your left can worsen the situation further.
Sleeping on your right side can be helpful as it helps you keep all those airways open, and you will be able to breathe much easier (also check the best selling mattresses for side sleeper).
Sleeping on your left side
Sleeping on one side is always recommended as the best overall sleep position for most issues related to your health. Lying in this sleep position will significantly improve your blood flow and oxygen levels. Consequently, it will assist you in reducing the effects of sleep apnea heightening by the deviated septum. It will reduce your snoring as well.
Elevate your head while Sleeping
Another sleep position you can go for is sleeping on your back with your head elevated (also check 10 amazing pillows for back sleepers). This is especially the case if you don’t find sleeping on your right or left side convenient for your condition.
Lying in this position enables you to work with gravity. You will be able to drain your nasal passages and will feel less bunged up. But you have to deal with one problem, and that is snoring.
Sleeping on your back can cause you to snore, which may increase those sleep apnea episodes. So, if you are dealing with these issues, it’s better to sleep on your side (also check 10 great pillows for side sleeper).
Signs You Have a Deviated Septum
In most cases of septal displacements, there are not many symptoms. You might even don’t know you have deviated septum. But some of these septal deformities do come with symptoms and signs, and we have listed them as follows:
Frequent nosebleeds
Frequent nosebleeds may occur because the surface of your septum might become dry as you breathe. It may result in nose bleeding, and the nose bleeds more if the displacement is more significant.
Recurrent sinus infections
With septal displacement, sinus infections become much more regular and don’t go away regardless of medication or treatment.
Dry nostril
This is similar to nosebleeds, where your nostril becomes super dry as you breathe, ultimately leading to bleeding.
Snoring or loud breathing noises during sleep
Another issue with septal displacement is loud breathing and snoring. It is because your lungs are making more effort to breathe and the air that passes through the smaller nostrils causes more sound.
Your body might be getting enough oxygen, but it has to make a lot of effort. In some cases, you might even start breathing from your mouth.
Nasal pressure & congestion
As there is blockage or obstruction in one or both nostrils, you will find it difficult to breathe using your nose. This will become an even bigger issue if you have allergies or colds. During these conditions, your nostrils begin to swell and become narrower.
Facial pain
You will notice that one side of your face is always achy. And this is usually the side with the smaller nostril. But this occurs when you are dealing with severe septal displacement as the surface of your nose tends to cause pressure and can be painful to touch.
Nasal cycle
If your nose is obstructed on one side and then on the other. This is called a nasal cycle; you need to be aware of it because it isn’t typical and can indicate deviated septum.
Conclusion:
Septal displacement can be a problem, and it can lead to many other health-related issues as well. It makes breathing difficult for you during sleep, so it can directly induce sleep apnea.
Some various signs and symptoms can help you identify whether you have deviated septum or not. But to make things more comfortable, it is best to go for surgery whenever you’re ready. Your life will become much easier this way.
Sleep position for deviated septum FAQs
How does your deviated septum affect your sleep?
With a deviated septum, your prairie has problems breathing. Your body might be getting enough oxygen, but it has to put in a lot of effort. Therefore, you might have to deal with sleep apnea and various other health issues resulting from a deviated septum.
Do deviated septum gets worse when you lay down?
Yes, a deviated septum is the worst when you are lying down to take some rest. It can interfere with your breathing when you are involved in some physical activity. So, deviated septum makes it difficult for you whenever you are trying to breathe heavily.
How do you sleep at night with a deviated septum?
It's up to you what sleep positions work best for you. But the best way is to sleep on the opposite side of your blocked nostril. You will be able to use gravity to drain out the blockages effectively. In most cases, sleeping on your left side is a better option, but if your left nostril is blocked, you can sleep on your right side. Sleeping on your back is a good option with an elevated head, but you might start snoring or have sleep apnea issues.
Does sleeping on one side cause deviated septum?
No, sleeping on one side night after night doesn’t cause a deviated septum. Either you are born with this condition, or it might develop due to a road accident, a fight, or a collision.