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Enlarged nasal turbinates
Is turbinate reduction ablation a good procedure?
Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common ENT disorder. If standard medical treatment is ineffective, considering turbinate reduction surgery might be an option. Generally, this is a fairly common minor procedure and is minimally invasive, having little significant impact on overall health. After surgery, most patients experience a reduction in the size of the turbinates and a relief in clinical symptoms. However, individual treatment results can vary. While most patients respond well to the surgery, a small number may not achieve ideal results and might need to continue with oral medications and other treatments. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)
Can running cure nasal turbinate hypertrophy?
Enlarged turbinates can be treated by running. Generally, this condition is commonly seen in chronic simple rhinitis. Chronic simple rhinitis is frequently found in adolescents and is caused by repeated episodes of acute rhinitis, resulting in symptoms related to the turbinates. Patients may experience bilateral nasal obstruction, which alternately fluctuates, and white mucoid secretions may also appear in the nasal cavity. Sometimes, patients may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. During examination, significant congestion and edema of the bilateral nasal turbinate mucosa can be observed, along with abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity; vasoconstrictors are effective in this scenario. For treatment, patients can initially use nebulized inhalation therapy during the acute phase to alleviate congestion and edema of the turbinate mucosa. Moreover, exercising by running or swimming can gradually improve the function of the turbinate mucosa over a lengthy period. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Does nasal turbinate hypertrophy easily cause nosebleeds?
If we are only talking about simple hypertrophy of the turbinates, it generally does not easily lead to nosebleeds. Enlarged turbinates might cause nasal congestion, runny nose, and could also lead to a decreased sense of smell, headaches, or dizziness, but some patients may not have obvious clinical symptoms and are only discovered during a physical examination. Therefore, patients with turbinate hypertrophy need to seek consultation at an otolaryngology department after experiencing relevant clinical symptoms. Examinations such as nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, and sinus CT scans can be helpful in assessing the specific severity of the condition and the cause of the disease. Once diagnosed, targeted treatment can be administered and regular follow-ups are required to monitor the treatment effects.
Can you drink alcohol with enlarged turbinates?
It is best not to drink alcohol if you have enlarged turbinates, as alcohol can stimulate the dilation of blood vessels, leading to congestion and swelling of the turbinates, which in turn exacerbates nasal congestion symptoms. Enlarged turbinates are just a clinical presentation, not a disease. The most common cause of enlarged turbinates in clinical settings is chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis results from repeated acute inflammatory stimuli, causing congestion, swelling, and hyperplasia of the turbinate mucosa. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens and may also have abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity. During an examination with an electronic rhinoscope, pronounced congestion and swelling in both middle and lower turbinates can be observed, sometimes showing mulberry-like changes on the surface. For treatment, patients may need to undergo a partial inferior turbinectomy, which requires hospitalization, and recovery is typically about one week before discharge.
Will turbinate hypertrophy surgery relapse?
After surgery for enlarged nasal turbinates, it generally does not recur. Enlarged nasal turbinates are commonly seen in cases of deviated nasal septum or chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Patients with a deviated nasal septum may experience compensatory enlargement of the turbinates on both sides, where local surgical removal is needed for treatment. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is due to repeated episodes of simple rhinitis, causing persistent congestion and swelling in the lower turbinates on both sides, with a mulberry-like change on the surface. Treatment for these patients requires partial resection of the lower turbinates on both sides, but the surgery must adhere to principles; removing more than one-third of the lower turbinates should be avoided, as it can easily lead to empty nose syndrome. Postoperatively, patients also need to use antibiotics to prevent local infection. After complete recovery, patients should exercise regularly and avoid colds to prevent recurrent growth of the turbinates. (The use of medication should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)
Do deviated nasal septum and enlarged turbinates require surgery?
Whether surgery is needed for a deviated nasal septum and enlarged turbinates should be determined based on the following aspects. First, it depends on whether there are clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, and particularly if it is severe and persistent, and whether symptoms like nosebleeds and headaches are present. Symptoms are a necessity before considering surgery; Second, some tests can be conducted, such as a sinus CT scan, to assess the extent of turbinate enlargement and the severity of the nasal septum deviation. If the deviation of the nasal septum is severe, then surgery is absolutely necessary; Third, some tests related to nasal cavity function can be combined to determine the necessity for surgery. The main function of the nasal cavity refers to its ventilation capability, such as the nasopharyngeal reflex and nasal resistance tests. An overall assessment of the impact of enlarged turbinates and the deviated septum on the nasal cavity can then guide the decision on whether to undergo surgical treatment.
Can hypertrophic turbinates be treated with erythromycin?
Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate is a relatively common otolaryngology disease. It is not recommended to use erythromycin ointment because erythromycin ointment does not have a therapeutic effect on nasal turbinate hypertrophy and it may cause side effects. For patients with hypertrophic nasal turbinates, it is advised to visit an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms. Routine blood tests and nasal endoscopy can be performed to assess the severity of the condition. If it is simply hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate without significant clinical symptoms, observation and nasal irrigation with saline solution can be considered. If there are symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose, oral medications combined with nasal spray treatments can be considered. Regular follow-up visits during the treatment process are necessary to observe the effects.
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.
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.
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.