Nasal turbinate hypertrophy: hot compress or cold compress?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 02, 2024
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Enlarged turbinates can be treated with local heat application. Heat application can shrink the turbinates and relieve the patient's nasal congestion symptoms, while also restoring nasal ventilation. Enlarged turbinates are relatively common in clinical settings, typically caused by symptoms arising from chronic rhinitis and chronic allergic rhinitis. This condition can lead to diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and enlargement of the bilateral inferior turbinates, resulting in persistent bilateral nasal congestion, along with sensations of a foreign body in the nasal cavity, swelling, and a runny nose. In severe cases, it can lead to a decrease in the sense of smell and memory loss. A detailed examination at a hospital is necessary, and a diagnosis can be confirmed with an electronic nasoscope. Treatment may initially involve nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion, accompanied by local heat application, which has a very definite effect. It is also necessary to enhance immunity and resistance for gradual improvement.

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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can Chinese medicine cure hypertrophic turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy includes hypertrophy of the inferior and middle turbinates. Turbinate hypertrophy is mainly caused by chronic inflammation, which is rhinitis. The general treatment mainly involves medication, particularly local medications such as nasal corticosteroids and nasal vasoconstrictors that constrict blood vessels in the nasal mucosa. Traditional Chinese medicine can be somewhat effective, primarily involving aromatic herbs or proprietary Chinese medicines to provide some therapeutic effect; however, these are mostly used as supplementary treatments and should not be the primary medication. Moreover, their use should be under the guidance of a doctor. Additionally, a CT scan is needed for turbinate hypertrophy to assess if there is any bony enlargement of the turbinates; if there is, surgical treatment may need to be considered.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you eat eggs if you have enlarged nasal turbinates?

Patients with hypertrophic turbinates can eat eggs; there is no issue with that. Eggs are rich in protein, which can enhance the body's immunity and resistance, offering significant benefits to patients with hypertrophic turbinates. Hypertrophic turbinates are simply a clinical manifestation, commonly caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis. Following hypertrophy of the turbinates, patients typically experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, accompanied by a sensation of a foreign body in the nose, swelling, and mucous nasal discharge. A detailed examination with an endoscope at the hospital can confirm the diagnosis. During the examination, diffuse congestion and edema of the bilateral inferior turbinates can be observed. For treatment, initial steps can include nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion, along with regular physical exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can massage help with enlarged turbinates?

Local massage is not effective for hypertrophic turbinates, which are generally caused by prolonged chronic inflammation stimulation, as well as episodes of allergic rhinitis leading to bilateral turbinate diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy. After the enlargement of the turbinates, patients mainly experience persistent, gradual nasal congestion on both sides, accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity and swelling. Patients may also experience a decrease in sense of smell, memory decline, facial swelling, and headaches, and should visit a hospital for a detailed examination with an endoscope and sinus CT scan to confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if the condition is due to inflammation or infection, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required, and if it is due to a localized allergic reaction, symptomatic anti-allergy treatment should be administered. Regular physical exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa is recommended. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery to partially remove the inferior turbinates on both sides may be necessary.