What should I do about turbinate hypertrophy?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Clinically, turbinate hypertrophy is mainly caused by the stimulation of inflammatory factors such as acute and chronic rhinitis and sinusitis, leading to the proliferation of the turbinate, including the mucosal and even bony growth, as well as congenital developmental factors causing turbinate enlargement. Initially, treatment typically involves medication, using nasal sprays such as corticosteroids for nasal treatment.

Secondly, surgical treatment can be employed. We can assess the extent of turbinate hypertrophy with a nasal CT scan to determine if there is bony enlargement. If there is bony hypertrophy, partial resection of the submucosal turbinate bone can be performed. If the hypertrophy is only in the mucosal and soft tissue, it can be treated using plasma ablation.

In summary, turbinate hypertrophy can be treated with medication or surgery, depending on the specific extent of the pathology.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 17sec home-news-image

Can medication cure nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

Turbinate hypertrophy can often be cured with medication, and if not cured, partial surgical removal of the hypertrophied turbinates can be curative. Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. It manifests due to lowered immunity and resistance in the body, leading to repeated inflammatory infections or allergic reactions in the nasal cavity, resulting in bilateral nasal turbinates swelling diffusely, becoming edematous, proliferating, and enlarging. After turbinate enlargement, it mainly causes the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion on both sides, accompanied by a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity. Patients will also have mucous secretions from the nasal cavity and will require a detailed examination at the hospital, where tests such as nasal endoscopy, sinus CT, and allergen antibody tests can provide a diagnosis. For treatment, nebulized inhalation can be used with good effectiveness for chronic rhinitis. For allergic rhinitis, symptomatic anti-allergic treatment is needed to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

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
1min 5sec home-news-image

If turbinate hypertrophy is not treated surgically, what could be the consequences?

If turbinate hypertrophy is not surgically treated, it can lead to persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients, accompanied by swelling and a severe foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity, which can lead to diminished sense of smell, memory deterioration, and other related symptoms. Turbinate hypertrophy is primarily caused by prolonged inflammatory stimulation of the nasal mucosa, leading to diffuse congestion, edema, proliferation, and hypertrophy of the bilateral turbinates in patients, resulting in persistent nasal congestion. A detailed examination with an endoscope at a hospital can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, initial approaches include nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise can also help restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatments are ineffective and the turbinates continue to be enlarged, local surgical removal may be required to cure the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with nasal irrigation?

Enlarged nasal turbinates are a relatively common clinical presentation, often associated with rhinitis and sinusitis, and can also be due to exposure to external irritants. Nasal washing is one option to consider. The most commonly used method is saline nasal irrigation, and physiological seawater can also be used. Typically, washing is recommended two to three times a day. If there is an inflammatory response, medication may also be necessary. Common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays, with a treatment period usually lasting more than a week. After starting medication, regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery, and most patients generally respond well to treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be completely cured?

Enlargement of the nasal turbinates can be completely cured. Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a clinical manifestation, not a disease itself. There are many causes of turbinate hypertrophy in clinical practice, with the most common being chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is characterized by repetitive attacks of simple rhinitis causing bilateral inferior turbinate diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia. Patients experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens. Additionally, mucous-like secretions may appear in the nasal cavity; patients may also feel a foreign body sensation in the nose, facial distension, pain, headaches, reduced sense of smell, and memory decline. Examination with an electronic nasal endoscope reveals significant congestion and edema of the bilateral inferior turbinates, sometimes showing mulberry-like changes. Treatment involves partial resection of the bilateral inferior turbinates, which can completely cure the condition.