The harmfulness of enlarged turbinates

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 31, 2024
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Enlarged turbinates are generally caused by chronic rhinitis. This enlargement can lead to bilateral nasal obstruction, causing persistent hypoxia in patients, leading to a decline in heart, lung, and brain functions. Over time, this can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, and other related diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to treat enlarged turbinates. Patients need to first undergo an examination with an electronic nasal endoscope to determine the cause of the enlargement. If it is due to chronic rhinitis, the patient may need to undergo a local surgical resection, such as endoscopic bilateral inferior turbinate partial resection. If the enlargement is due to a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps, treatment of the primary condition is also needed, which could involve corrective surgery for the deviated septum and removal of the nasal polyps, after which the enlarged turbinates can gradually return to normal.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What can be done to alleviate the difficulty in breathing caused by enlarged turbinates?

Breathing difficulties caused by hypertrophic turbinates can initially be managed with corticosteroids via nebulization. Additionally, massaging the Yingxiang acupoints on the outer sides of both nostrils can constrict the turbinates and quickly alleviate nasal congestion to ease breathing difficulties. Patients also need to undergo detailed examination at the hospital using an endoscopic camera and sinus CT to determine the cause of the turbinate hypertrophy. Turbinate hypertrophy generally results from symptoms caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis, leading to persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients. This is also accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the nose, swelling, and the discharge of mucous nasal fluid. For treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy therapy should initially be administered. If conservative treatments are ineffective, a partial turbinectomy on both sides may be necessary.

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

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.)

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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 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.