Causes of Turbinate Hypertrophy

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 29, 2025
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Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common clinical presentation and can be caused by many factors. The more common causes include physiological hypertrophy, chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, as well as sinusitis or long-term exposure to irritants. When these symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist to determine the specific cause. If it is simply physiological hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, regular follow-up is generally sufficient, and no special treatment is needed. However, if the hypertrophy is due to an inflammatory response causing clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, medical treatment should be considered. Most patients see good results after standardized medical treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 13sec home-news-image

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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is bloodletting useful for turbinate hypertrophy?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy bleeding is ineffective; it is necessary to go to the hospital for an examination. An electronic nasal endoscopy can identify the cause of the nasal turbinate hypertrophy and symptomatic treatment can gradually improve the condition. Generally, nasal turbinate hypertrophy is caused by repeated chronic inflammatory infections and local allergic reactions. Patients may experience persistent nasal congestion in both nostrils, accompanied by foreign body sensations in the nasal cavity, swelling, facial distension, pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. First, it is necessary to have a detailed examination at the hospital including electronic nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, skin prick tests, and allergen antibody tests for diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if it is an inflammatory infection, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatments are needed using antibiotics; if it is a local allergy, oral antihistamines should be taken. In addition, the nasal cavity can be treated with budesonide inhalation mist to shrink the nasal turbinates and alleviate congestion symptoms.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Initial symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy

The initial symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy are quite numerous, the most common being nasal congestion and a runny nose. There may also be headaches, dizziness, decreased sense of smell, and snoring during sleep. The specific symptoms can vary greatly between individuals. After the onset of symptoms, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) specialist. Tests such as nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans can help assess the severity of the condition. Most patients may consider conservative medical treatment, commonly using nasal spray medications and oral medications. However, a small number of patients may not respond well to conservative drug treatments and might need to consider surgical treatment, which requires regular follow-ups to monitor the effectiveness of the surgery. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates be reduced by taking anti-inflammatory drugs?

Whether taking anti-inflammatory drugs is needed for enlarged turbinates depends first on identifying the cause of the enlargement. If the enlargement of the turbinates is caused by bacterial infection, it is appropriate to take anti-inflammatory medication such as antibiotics. However, if it is caused by allergies, antibiotics will be ineffective. Generally, there are two reasons for enlarged turbinates. The first is due to symptoms caused by acute inflammatory infections, commonly seen in clinical cases of acute rhinitis or acute sinusitis. Clinically, these are most often caused by infections from hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in congested, swollen, and hypertrophic mucous membranes of the turbinates. Antibiotics such as penicillin or cephalosporin can be effective in treatment. However, antibiotics are ineffective for allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune and resistance levels are low, and the nasal cavity comes into contact with related allergens. Patients will also experience enlarged turbinates, along with symptoms like sneezing and runny nose. Treatment should focus on symptomatic allergy treatment to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion.

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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.