Can Deviated Septum Cause Hypopneas?

Greetings and thank you in advance for any and all responses!

Does anyone know if a deviated septum can cause hypopneas and lack of REM sleep?

I don't have an "official" answer, but I believe that a ds is MY problem. I went to an ENT doctor, and he wanted to put a scope through my nose, to look down my throat at the voicebox. The tube was probably the thickness of a pencil. He put it in my left nostril, then pulled it out and said he couldn't go that way because of the ds. I guess the cartilage bulges out too much, making the passageway too narrow. So he had to put it in the right nostril.

I've often thought I should stick a soda straw in the left nostril to see if it helps me breathe better at night. Maybe I could get rid of the cpap. The problem with my left nostril being restricted at night is made worse because I sleep on the passenger side of the bed, and sleep on my right side, facing away from the wife, so I don't blow exhaust at her.

I have a slightly deviated septum on the right side.... If yours isn't too severe, you might benefit from this product. I got the sample and tried it out a week ago. Read my review further down the scroll on this page: viewtopic/t64471/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63 ... ez#p598608

They aren't cheap if you have to use it every single night..... but you can find deals on ebay. I was amazed at how much more 'open' my breathing passage was with it in, but I don't think I will use them regularly because of the price. My therapy was not changed using it....but others may find it helps enough to lower their events. Worth getting the sample and trying it out.

Thanks for the information on the Breathe Right strips. I actually have been using them and feel more alert the next day.
I've been put on the CPAP machine but don't feel much better - it's all confusing.
I'm going to post my sleep study results and hopefully get some input from others more experienced.

Thank you very much for your help!
Tina

I just posted to another member regarding this then ran across your post - such a good question.

I remarked that when I sleep on my left side the machine ups the pressure. I believed it was caused from the deviated septum I have on the right side. In any case, if there isn't enough air/pressure then there could be an event. If there is ds on both sides, or if one side is plugged and ds in the other side. So I vote for a yes answer to your question.

Thank you, Gasp, and other respondees!
I just hope to feel better soon. I just posted by sleep study results a few minutes ago. If you have any comments on the study I would be happy to hear them.

Tina

Ummm.... that wasn't about Breathe Right strips... it was about a new product called Brez...which is worn inside the nose.

Oops! Thanks for clarifying. I just saw the heading which referenced Breathe Right Competition and didn't read any further. I will definitely check them out although they are pricy for everyday use. I hope to go see an EET doc soon, too. Thank you very much!

What do I know, but I think that a deviated septum (and anything else that affects nasal breathing) can contribute to sleep disordered breathing. But unless your nose is completely occluded (nearly impossible, and certainly not from just a deviated septum), I would not expect to see severe OSA or such merely due to that.

Just looked at your sleep study results... Optimize your nasal breathing however you can--treat any allergies, use neti pot for congestion, use Breathe Right Strips, and if you do have a deviated septum, consult your ENT about whether you might undergo a septoplasty.

I had a deviated septum and had a septoplasty in 2008. It has not cured nor reduced the severity of my sleep apnea (Moderate Obstructive) because the cause is the collapse of my tongue and throat. What it has done, however, is made it easier to wear a nasal mask.

So, I don't believe that apneas or hypopneas can be caused by a deviated septum.