Is massage effective for enlarged turbinates?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Turbinate hypertrophy is a common clinical symptom of the turbinates. Generally speaking, the effect of treating turbinate hypertrophy through massage is not good, because it is difficult for massage to directly affect the inside of the nasal cavity, and there is no direct impact and effect on the hypertrophy of the turbinates. The first step in addressing turbinate hypertrophy is to examine the causes and the extent of the enlargement. If the enlargement is mild and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, it is generally advised to regularly review and observe changes. However, if the turbinate hypertrophy is more pronounced and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell, it is necessary to perform a nasopharyngoscope examination to investigate the specific causes of the condition. Treatment typically involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and regular check-ups are also necessary. (Please follow the guidance of a specialist doctor for specific medications and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be seen with the naked eye?

Turbinate hypertrophy is visible to the naked eye as the turbinates are located on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. When the turbinates are excessively enlarged, a dark red protrusion will appear inside the nasal cavity. Turbinate hypertrophy primarily leads to persistent progressive nasal congestion for the patient, along with feelings of nasal swelling, a foreign body sensation, and mucous nasal discharge. Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by acute and chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. It is necessary to visit a hospital for a detailed examination, where procedures like nasal endoscopy, sinus CT, complete blood count, and skin prick tests can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase, nebulized inhalation therapy using corticosteroids can be the first approach. This helps to reduce turbinate size and alleviate nasal congestion. Additionally, regular physical exercise and treatment of the primary disease are recommended. If conservative treatment is ineffective, partial resection of the bilateral lower turbinates may be needed.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Is surgery necessary for enlarged nasal turbinates?

Patients with enlarged turbinates do not necessarily need surgical treatment. The causes of turbinate hypertrophy are mainly related to long-term smoking and drinking, catching colds, as well as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinitis. Patients experience turbinate growth, which affects nasal ventilation. Some patients may suffer from alternating nasal congestion, and in cases of significant enlargement, such as snoring and air holding during sleep at night, or complete nasal ventilation obstruction, surgical methods such as turbinate ablation or inferior turbinate fracture and outward movement surgery may be necessary to expand the nasal airflow. For general turbinate hypertrophy, patients can use hormone-based nasal sprays to relieve nasal mucosa swelling and thickening. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is correction of nasal turbinate hypertrophy a surgical procedure?

Enlarged turbinates are a common clinical sign, primarily caused by chronic inflammation in the nose and deviations in the nasal septum. Clinically, surgeries targeted at correcting enlarged turbinates are primarily conducted. Main approaches include: One method is the fracturing and outward movement of the turbinate bone; another is the excision of the submucosal part of the enlarged turbinate. Other treatments, such as plasma ablation therapy for the turbinates, are also viable. The specific treatment method should be chosen based on a facial examination, observations of the specific condition of the enlarged turbinates, as well as assessments from sinus CT scans and conditions of the turbinate bones.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is nasal irrigation useful for enlarged turbinates?

Treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with a nasal rinse device is effective as it can clean the bacteria, dust, and allergens from the surface of the turbinates, and can act to shrink the turbinates. However, patients should not rely solely on the nasal rinse device to treat turbinate hypertrophy, as it is generally seen in chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is caused by long-term chronic inflammation due to lowered immunity, leading to bilateral turbinate mucosal congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and exudation. This can cause patients to experience alternating nasal congestion, facial swelling pain, headaches, and other clinical manifestations. In treatment, patients also need to use Biyankang, which has good therapeutic effects; consult a local physician for specific dosages. Additionally, nebulized inhalation should be used to shrink the turbinates and restore nasal patency. Using the nasal rinse device for daily washing can regularly shrink and dilate the turbinates, achieving certain effectiveness.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with nasal irrigation?

Enlarged nasal turbinates are a relatively common clinical presentation, often associated with rhinitis and sinusitis, and can also be due to exposure to external irritants. Nasal washing is one option to consider. The most commonly used method is saline nasal irrigation, and physiological seawater can also be used. Typically, washing is recommended two to three times a day. If there is an inflammatory response, medication may also be necessary. Common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays, with a treatment period usually lasting more than a week. After starting medication, regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery, and most patients generally respond well to treatment.