Nasal turbinate hypertrophy treatment methods

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is considered a clinical symptom rather than an independent disease. There are many causes for nasal turbinate hypertrophy, including physiological hypertrophy, chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, or exposure to external irritants. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to examine the clinical symptoms. If it is only simple turbinate hypertrophy without any clinical manifestations, it is generally recommended to regularly check up without necessarily needing medication. If the hypertrophy is due to an inflammatory response with clear clinical symptoms, it may be necessary to consider the use of oral medications, nasal spray medications, and flushing the nasal cavity with saline solution, with regular check-ups to monitor the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to determine if the nasal turbinates are enlarged

The diagnosis of turbinate hypertrophy first requires a visit to an otolaryngologist, where the doctor can examine the specific condition of the nasal conchae, along with considering clinical symptoms. Generally, turbinate hypertrophy might be accompanied by nasal congestion, a runny nose, and can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and a reduced sense of smell. Moreover, the more severe the enlargement of the turbinates, the heavier the clinical symptoms might be. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for conservative medication; common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays, and rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. During the treatment process, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe the effects. A small number of patients who do not respond well to medication may need to consider surgery. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates be reduced by taking anti-inflammatory drugs?

Whether taking anti-inflammatory drugs is needed for enlarged turbinates depends first on identifying the cause of the enlargement. If the enlargement of the turbinates is caused by bacterial infection, it is appropriate to take anti-inflammatory medication such as antibiotics. However, if it is caused by allergies, antibiotics will be ineffective. Generally, there are two reasons for enlarged turbinates. The first is due to symptoms caused by acute inflammatory infections, commonly seen in clinical cases of acute rhinitis or acute sinusitis. Clinically, these are most often caused by infections from hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in congested, swollen, and hypertrophic mucous membranes of the turbinates. Antibiotics such as penicillin or cephalosporin can be effective in treatment. However, antibiotics are ineffective for allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune and resistance levels are low, and the nasal cavity comes into contact with related allergens. Patients will also experience enlarged turbinates, along with symptoms like sneezing and runny nose. Treatment should focus on symptomatic allergy treatment to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the causes of nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

Turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otorhinolaryngological disease, and there are many causes for turbinate hypertrophy. Some of it is physiological hypertrophy, which is simply thickening of the turbinate tissue without causing noticeable clinical symptoms. In general, this situation does not require special treatment, but regular follow-ups are necessary. It may also result from acute rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, or sinusitis, which can lead to turbinate hypertrophy with associated clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. In such cases, pharmacological treatment should be considered, commonly involving oral medications and nasal sprays, with regular follow-ups to monitor recovery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is minimally invasive surgery for enlarged turbinates painful?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common clinical manifestation. There are many causes of enlarged turbinates, with the most common being rhinitis, sinusitis, and physiological hypertrophy. In terms of treatment, most patients may consider conservative drug treatment. If the effects of conservative drug treatment are not satisfactory, surgery may be considered. Currently, minimally invasive surgery, such as partial turbinectomy or ablation under nasal endoscopy, is mainly considered. Generally, there will be some pain during the surgery, but the pain is usually not particularly severe and can typically be managed with local anesthesia. Post-surgery, there may be some pain, but most patients can tolerate it. If the pain is particularly severe, oral pain medications can be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Will the nose become larger if the nasal concha is hypertrophic?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otolaryngological condition. This condition mainly involves the growth and thickening of the tissue in the lower or middle nasal concha inside the nasal cavity. However, it does not affect the overall appearance of the nose; there are no obvious changes or deformities, nor significant enlargement. Symptoms of nasal turbinate hypertrophy may include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. Upon experiencing these symptoms, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist for a nasopharyngoscope examination to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. In terms of treatment, most patients may consider using nasal spray medication and oral medication, while a small portion of patients might need to consider surgical treatment.