What can be done to alleviate the difficulty in breathing caused by enlarged turbinates?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 28, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 15sec home-news-image

Can you eat chili peppers with enlarged turbinates?

People with enlarged nasal turbinates should avoid eating spicy peppers, as they are considered irritants. Consumption of spicy peppers can worsen the enlargement of nasal turbinates, leading to persistent nasal congestion. For enlarged nasal turbinates, it is necessary to visit a hospital and undergo examination with an electronic nasoscope to determine the cause. Generally, this condition is caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis. Enlargement of the nasal turbinates typically leads to symptoms such as persistent and progressive bilateral nasal congestion, swelling sensation in the nasal cavity, foreign body sensation, facial swelling, pain, headache, and the discharge of abnormal mucous secretions from the nasal cavity. In terms of treatment, initial management of enlarged nasal turbinates can involve the use of nebulized inhalation to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise can also help restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal of parts of the lower turbinates on both sides may be required to completely cure the condition.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
51sec home-news-image

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy treatment methods

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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 7sec home-news-image

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 hypertrophic turbinates be seen with the naked eye?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common clinical manifestation and can usually be seen through visual inspection. Generally, the enlargement is primarily of the inferior turbinates. With the use of an anterior rhinoscope to open the nostrils, one can directly observe the extent of inferior turbinate enlargement. This also helps to clarify its relationship with the nasal cavity and aids in the diagnosis of potential rhinitis or sinusitis. In terms of treatment, if the enlargement is simply physiological without significant clinical symptoms, treatment might not be necessary, but regular follow-ups to monitor the condition are advised. If the enlargement is due to an inflammatory reaction, consideration may be given to oral medications and nasal sprays, along with rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)