The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bones of your face and head. If your sinuses become blocked, swollen (inflamed) or infected, this is called sinusitis. You may have:
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked or runny nose
- a reduced sense of smell
- mucus problems
- a headache.
Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus. Other conditions such as allergies, nasal polyps (soft growths inside your nose) and tooth infections can also contribute to sinus pain. If antibiotics, nose drops, sprays or tablets do not help, you may need an operation. Surgery to treat chronic sinus problems is called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). A septoplasty is surgery to treat a blockage in your nose. The septum is a wall of bone and cartilage (connective tissue) that divides your nose into two separate nostrils. Usually, the septum is straight and sits in the middle of your nose. If the septum has moved to one side of your nose, this is called a deviated septum.
Some people are born with a deviated septum, but it can also be caused by an injury. You are likely to have one nose passage that is much smaller than the other. This can make it harder to breathe through your nose. You may have other problems, such as sinus infections, facial pain, headaches or frequent nosebleeds. Enlarged bone structures called turbinates may also block parts of your nose. Surgery is the only way to straighten or fix a deviated septum. The surgeon moves the septum to the middle of your nose and reshapes the cartilage and bone. They may need to remove parts of your septum and then put them in the correct position. If enlarged turbinates are blocking your nose, the surgeon can make them smaller. After the operation, there should be better airflow through your nose and you should find it easier to breathe.
At The Holly Private Hospital, we have an expert team of ENT surgeons who are experts in diagnosing and treating patients with a wide range of ear, nose and throat conditions. We offer an all-inclusive self-pay package for septoplasty (nose) surgery with FESS prices starting from £4,450 (terms and conditions apply). For more information and eligibility criteria, speak to one of our self-pay advisors by calling
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