Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with nasal irrigation?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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 14sec home-news-image

Is nasal turbinate hypertrophy related to allergic rhinitis?

Turbinate hypertrophy is directly related to allergic rhinitis. After an allergic rhinitis attack, the patient may experience bilateral inferior turbinate congestion, edema, and hyperplasia, which leads to continuous bilateral nasal congestion and clear, watery nasal discharge, nasal itching, and in severe cases, eyelid swelling, tearing, and itching. Allergic rhinitis is primarily caused by a decrease in the body's immunity and resistance, following the nasal intake or contact with relevant allergens, which can include dust, pollen, and mites. Firstly, a detailed examination at a hospital is needed, using diagnostic tools such as nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, allergen antibody tests, and skin prick tests to confirm the diagnosis. For treatment, symptomatic anti-allergy treatment is necessary, including oral antihistamines to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion. During remission, regular physical exercise is also needed to enhance the body’s immune capabilities for gradual improvement. If the turbinate enlargement is too severe, local surgical removal might be required.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal spray reduce the swelling of enlarged turbinates?

Enlarged nasal turbinates are a relatively common clinical presentation, mainly considered to be related to physiological enlargement. It could also be due to chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis. Initially, it is necessary to examine the specific clinical symptoms. If it is just simple enlargement without causing obvious clinical symptoms, this condition generally may not require special treatment; regular follow-ups and observation of the condition's changes are advised. If it causes related clinical manifestations, such as nasal congestion and runny nose, then medication treatment should be considered, commonly using nasal spray medications. Most patients will gradually see a reduction in the enlargement of the nasal turbinates and improvement in clinical symptoms after using the spray. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Nasal turbinate hypertrophy: hot compress or cold compress?

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.