Do you struggle with frequent sinus issues, like a runny or stuffy nose? You might think a virus or allergy is the culprit. But it may be related to a structure inside your nose called the septal swell body. If you’ve never heard of this before, we’ll explore what it is and how it might affect your sinuses.

What Is Your Septal Swell Body?

You know about your sinuses and nasal passages, and you may be familiar with the septum. But did you know that you have thickened tissue on your nasal septum called the septal swell body? It’s not a commonly known nasal structure, but it’s an important part of your nose.

What Does It Do?

Your septal swell body does the following for you:

●      Regulates airflow through your nose

●      Humidifies and warms the air you breathe in

●      Responds to irritants or allergens you inhale

How Can It Affect the Sinuses?

This nasal structure may not cause any problems. But it expands and contracts when you breathe in substances that your body considers harmful, such as pollen or smoke. It might also do this when you have nasal inflammation.

While these responses are normal, they can cause the septal swell body to become enlarged. If it gets too big, known as hypertrophy, it can affect your sinuses by blocking airflow and contributing to sinus symptoms. This hypertrophy may also worsen sinus issues if you already have a deviated septum.

What Are Signs of Septal Swell Body Problems?

You may not realize that the symptoms you’re having are due to this nasal structure. When the septal swell body enlarges, this can lead to the following symptoms:

●      Chronic congestion in your sinuses and nose

●      Reduced responses to decongestant medication

●      Trouble inhaling and exhaling through your nose

When to Seek Care

How do you know if you should get treatment for this problem? Again, you might not know that you even have it. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing nasal congestion or having other signs of septal swell body hypertrophy, you should visit our ENT specialist for help. The right treatment can help you breathe easier and reduce congestion.

What Treatments Are Used?

We use a minimally invasive approach called septal swell body reduction to remove the septal swell body or excess tissue, providing you with relief from sinus congestion. This involves using precision tools, like a radiofrequency device, without having to make any external incisions.

This procedure for hypertrophy offers the following benefits:

●      Improved airflow in your nose

●      Nasal congestion relief

●      Short recovery of about a week with only mild soreness

●      Reduced need for nasal sprays or medications

Visit Our ENT Specialist for Sinus Problems

Are you ready to find out what’s causing sinus issues and get treatment? Dr. Thomas S. Higgins can evaluate your condition and check your septal swell body for signs of hypertrophy. Dr. Higgins can recommend or provide treatment to help you find relief from sinus symptoms.