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Enlarged nasal turbinates
How should nasal turbinate hypertrophy be treated?
Enlarged turbinates are just a clinical manifestation, not a disease in itself. In clinical practice, many diseases can cause enlarged turbinates, such as chronic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. These conditions can lead to compensatory hypertrophy of the turbinates, which results in symptoms of nasal congestion. Initially, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a detailed examination with an electronic nasal endoscope to make a clear diagnosis. If the condition is due to a deviated nasal septum, septoplasty may be required. If nasal inflammation is causing the enlarged turbinates, conservative treatment should be attempted first. If conservative treatment is ineffective, bilateral partial inferior turbinectomy may be necessary. After the surgery, the patient should continue with a light diet and regular exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa, strengthen the body, and avoid colds to prevent recurrent hypertrophy of the turbinates.
What are the dangers of deviated septum and enlarged turbinates?
Nasal septal deviation and hypertrophy of the turbinates refer to the cartilaginous and bony parts of the nasal septum leaning towards one side, or both sides, of the nasal cavity, which interferes with the normal drainage function of the nasal passage. The deviation of the nasal septum to one side can cause compensatory hypertrophy of the turbinate on the same side, primarily the enlargement of the inferior turbinate. Clinically, this is mainly manifested by symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches. Therefore, for severe nasal septal deviation, it is often necessary to perform a sinus CT scan to determine the degree of deviation, followed by endoscopic surgery to correct the deviation.
Is bloodletting useful for turbinate hypertrophy?
Nasal turbinate hypertrophy bleeding is ineffective; it is necessary to go to the hospital for an examination. An electronic nasal endoscopy can identify the cause of the nasal turbinate hypertrophy and symptomatic treatment can gradually improve the condition. Generally, nasal turbinate hypertrophy is caused by repeated chronic inflammatory infections and local allergic reactions. Patients may experience persistent nasal congestion in both nostrils, accompanied by foreign body sensations in the nasal cavity, swelling, facial distension, pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. First, it is necessary to have a detailed examination at the hospital including electronic nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, skin prick tests, and allergen antibody tests for diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if it is an inflammatory infection, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatments are needed using antibiotics; if it is a local allergy, oral antihistamines should be taken. In addition, the nasal cavity can be treated with budesonide inhalation mist to shrink the nasal turbinates and alleviate congestion symptoms.
The harmfulness of enlarged turbinates
Enlarged turbinates are generally caused by chronic rhinitis. This enlargement can lead to bilateral nasal obstruction, causing persistent hypoxia in patients, leading to a decline in heart, lung, and brain functions. Over time, this can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, and other related diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to treat enlarged turbinates. Patients need to first undergo an examination with an electronic nasal endoscope to determine the cause of the enlargement. If it is due to chronic rhinitis, the patient may need to undergo a local surgical resection, such as endoscopic bilateral inferior turbinate partial resection. If the enlargement is due to a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps, treatment of the primary condition is also needed, which could involve corrective surgery for the deviated septum and removal of the nasal polyps, after which the enlarged turbinates can gradually return to normal.
What can be done to alleviate the difficulty in breathing caused by enlarged turbinates?
Breathing difficulties caused by hypertrophic turbinates can initially be managed with corticosteroids via nebulization. Additionally, massaging the Yingxiang acupoints on the outer sides of both nostrils can constrict the turbinates and quickly alleviate nasal congestion to ease breathing difficulties. Patients also need to undergo detailed examination at the hospital using an endoscopic camera and sinus CT to determine the cause of the turbinate hypertrophy. Turbinate hypertrophy generally results from symptoms caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis, leading to persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients. This is also accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the nose, swelling, and the discharge of mucous nasal fluid. For treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy therapy should initially be administered. If conservative treatments are ineffective, a partial turbinectomy on both sides may be necessary.
Is turbinate reduction ablation a good procedure?
Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common ENT disorder. If standard medical treatment is ineffective, considering turbinate reduction surgery might be an option. Generally, this is a fairly common minor procedure and is minimally invasive, having little significant impact on overall health. After surgery, most patients experience a reduction in the size of the turbinates and a relief in clinical symptoms. However, individual treatment results can vary. While most patients respond well to the surgery, a small number may not achieve ideal results and might need to continue with oral medications and other treatments. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)
Can running cure nasal turbinate hypertrophy?
Enlarged turbinates can be treated by running. Generally, this condition is commonly seen in chronic simple rhinitis. Chronic simple rhinitis is frequently found in adolescents and is caused by repeated episodes of acute rhinitis, resulting in symptoms related to the turbinates. Patients may experience bilateral nasal obstruction, which alternately fluctuates, and white mucoid secretions may also appear in the nasal cavity. Sometimes, patients may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. During examination, significant congestion and edema of the bilateral nasal turbinate mucosa can be observed, along with abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity; vasoconstrictors are effective in this scenario. For treatment, patients can initially use nebulized inhalation therapy during the acute phase to alleviate congestion and edema of the turbinate mucosa. Moreover, exercising by running or swimming can gradually improve the function of the turbinate mucosa over a lengthy period. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Does nasal turbinate hypertrophy easily cause nosebleeds?
If we are only talking about simple hypertrophy of the turbinates, it generally does not easily lead to nosebleeds. Enlarged turbinates might cause nasal congestion, runny nose, and could also lead to a decreased sense of smell, headaches, or dizziness, but some patients may not have obvious clinical symptoms and are only discovered during a physical examination. Therefore, patients with turbinate hypertrophy need to seek consultation at an otolaryngology department after experiencing relevant clinical symptoms. Examinations such as nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, and sinus CT scans can be helpful in assessing the specific severity of the condition and the cause of the disease. Once diagnosed, targeted treatment can be administered and regular follow-ups are required to monitor the treatment effects.
Can you drink alcohol with enlarged turbinates?
It is best not to drink alcohol if you have enlarged turbinates, as alcohol can stimulate the dilation of blood vessels, leading to congestion and swelling of the turbinates, which in turn exacerbates nasal congestion symptoms. Enlarged turbinates are just a clinical presentation, not a disease. The most common cause of enlarged turbinates in clinical settings is chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis results from repeated acute inflammatory stimuli, causing congestion, swelling, and hyperplasia of the turbinate mucosa. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens and may also have abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity. During an examination with an electronic rhinoscope, pronounced congestion and swelling in both middle and lower turbinates can be observed, sometimes showing mulberry-like changes on the surface. For treatment, patients may need to undergo a partial inferior turbinectomy, which requires hospitalization, and recovery is typically about one week before discharge.
Will turbinate hypertrophy surgery relapse?
After surgery for enlarged nasal turbinates, it generally does not recur. Enlarged nasal turbinates are commonly seen in cases of deviated nasal septum or chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Patients with a deviated nasal septum may experience compensatory enlargement of the turbinates on both sides, where local surgical removal is needed for treatment. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is due to repeated episodes of simple rhinitis, causing persistent congestion and swelling in the lower turbinates on both sides, with a mulberry-like change on the surface. Treatment for these patients requires partial resection of the lower turbinates on both sides, but the surgery must adhere to principles; removing more than one-third of the lower turbinates should be avoided, as it can easily lead to empty nose syndrome. Postoperatively, patients also need to use antibiotics to prevent local infection. After complete recovery, patients should exercise regularly and avoid colds to prevent recurrent growth of the turbinates. (The use of medication should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)