How to determine if the nasal turbinates are enlarged

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 07, 2025
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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
1min 6sec home-news-image

Does hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates cause the appearance of the nose to enlarge?

Prolonged stimulation of turbinates hypertrophy can cause patients to experience widening and thickening of the nostrils, also affecting the appearance of the nose. Clinically, this is referred to as "frog nose." Turbinates hypertrophy commonly stems from prolonged chronic inflammation and episodes of allergic rhinitis, leading to bilateral congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and enlargement of the inferior and middle turbinates. Patients will experience persistent nasal congestion bilaterally, accompanied by a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity. Changes in the shape and appearance of the nose also occur, necessitating a detailed examination at a hospital. Diagnosis can be confirmed with an endoscopic examination and sinus CT scan. In terms of treatment, acute turbinates hypertrophy may be treated with antibiotics, along with nebulized inhalation therapy. If conservative treatment is ineffective, partial resection of the bilateral inferior turbinates may be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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the fundamental cause of turbinate hypertrophy

Turbinates hypertrophy is a common disease in otolaryngology. It can occur on its own or concurrently with chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, or chronic nasal inflammation caused by sinusitis. In cases of turbinate hypertrophy, if it is simply an enlargement, it can lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion and headaches. Initially, a paranasal sinus CT scan and electronic nasopharyngoscopy can be completed to establish a clear diagnosis. Following that, functional endoscopic surgery can be performed to partially excise or ablate the turbinates, thus fully improving the patient's nasal airway function and restoring a normal nasal physiological environment.

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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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Can nasal spray reduce the swelling of enlarged turbinates?

Enlarged nasal turbinates are a relatively common clinical presentation, mainly considered to be related to physiological enlargement. It could also be due to chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis. Initially, it is necessary to examine the specific clinical symptoms. If it is just simple enlargement without causing obvious clinical symptoms, this condition generally may not require special treatment; regular follow-ups and observation of the condition's changes are advised. If it causes related clinical manifestations, such as nasal congestion and runny nose, then medication treatment should be considered, commonly using nasal spray medications. Most patients will gradually see a reduction in the enlargement of the nasal turbinates and improvement in clinical symptoms after using the spray. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)