How is turbinate hypertrophy caused?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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The most common cause of turbinates hypertrophy in clinical practice is chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is nasal symptoms caused by unresolved acute rhinitis. Patients will experience bilateral turbinates hypertrophy and poor contractile effects of the constrictor muscle. Patients will also experience alternating bilateral nasal congestion, which is lighter during physical activities in the day and more severe at night when it's quiet. In terms of treatment, patients need to initially take some proprietary Chinese medicines orally. Additionally, the nasal cavity needs to be treated with nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and edema. Patients also need to exercise to restore the function of the turbinates mucous membrane to enhance immunity and resistance, and only then can allergic rhinitis be gradually cured. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate blindly.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does turbinate hypertrophy require surgery?

In clinical practice, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates must be differentiated by various causes. If the hypertrophy is simple, such as due to nasal mucosal vasoconstrictors like ephedrine nasal drops or phenylephrine nasal drops, which show good shrinkage response, it suggests a simple hypertrophy, often mainly treated with medication. If the surface of the hypertrophied turbinate is uneven and unresponsive to vasoconstrictors, and if there is severe nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell or even loss of it, then medication may not effectively alleviate the condition. Surgical treatment, such as partial resection of the inferior nasal turbinate, would be needed to restore normal nasal airways.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What medicine should be taken for hypertrophic turbinates?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, mainly involving enlargement of the middle and inferior turbinates. Patients often develop bony, bubble-like formations in the middle turbinate, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, contact headache, nasal itchiness, and runny nose. For patients with nasal turbinate hypertrophy, who often also suffer from sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, treatment primarily involves local anti-inflammatory measures. Additionally, the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can help reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and aid in relieving nasal congestion. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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 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.

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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.