What are the causes of nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 25, 2025
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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is nasal irrigation useful for enlarged turbinates?

Treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with a nasal rinse device is effective as it can clean the bacteria, dust, and allergens from the surface of the turbinates, and can act to shrink the turbinates. However, patients should not rely solely on the nasal rinse device to treat turbinate hypertrophy, as it is generally seen in chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is caused by long-term chronic inflammation due to lowered immunity, leading to bilateral turbinate mucosal congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and exudation. This can cause patients to experience alternating nasal congestion, facial swelling pain, headaches, and other clinical manifestations. In treatment, patients also need to use Biyankang, which has good therapeutic effects; consult a local physician for specific dosages. Additionally, nebulized inhalation should be used to shrink the turbinates and restore nasal patency. Using the nasal rinse device for daily washing can regularly shrink and dilate the turbinates, achieving certain effectiveness.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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 Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How to deal with nasal polyps and enlarged turbinates?

Nasal polyps and hypertrophic turbinates require surgical treatment because both are manifestations of chronic inflammation in rhinitis. Medical treatment alone is not very effective in these cases. Nasal polyps and hypertrophic turbinates mainly cause poor nasal ventilation, and over time, can also affect the drainage of the sinuses. Therefore, in patients with significantly enlarged nasal polyps, who often also suffer from chronic sinusitis, treatment involves the endoscopic removal of nasal polyps and partial resection of the inferior turbinate, along with the opening of the sinus passages. This is a systematic and comprehensive treatment approach. After surgery, it is crucial to follow a prescribed medication regimen, as this ensures the effectiveness of the surgery. If surgery is performed without subsequent medication, the results may not be very good. Additionally, regular postoperative check-ups and cleanings are essential to maintain the effectiveness of the surgery and to prevent long-term recurrence. Many patients who cease medication and do not return for follow-up cleanings after surgery are likely to experience a quick recurrence.

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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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Can you smoke with hypertrophic turbinates?

Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes contain a variety of chemicals that can directly irritate the nasal mucosa and turbinate tissue, potentially exacerbating the condition of turbinate hypertrophy. Smoking may also cause acute rhinitis and acute sinusitis, which could worsen the existing condition. Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates should seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms, and may undergo nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans to assess the severity of their condition. Typically, treatment options include oral medications and nasal spray medications, but surgical treatment may need to be considered for a small number of patients who do not respond well to medication. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)