Can turbinate hypertrophy be left untreated?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 18, 2025
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Turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to consider the specific cause and severity of the condition. If it is merely physiological turbinate hypertrophy without significant clinical symptoms, this situation generally can be managed with observation, and regular nasopharyngoscopy check-ups to monitor the recovery process.

If the turbinate hypertrophy causes related clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness, then it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist. Nasopharyngoscopy will generally be conducted, and treatment will typically include oral medications and nasal sprays, with regular check-ups to observe the treatment effects.

(Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Is massage effective for enlarged turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy is a common clinical symptom of the turbinates. Generally speaking, the effect of treating turbinate hypertrophy through massage is not good, because it is difficult for massage to directly affect the inside of the nasal cavity, and there is no direct impact and effect on the hypertrophy of the turbinates. The first step in addressing turbinate hypertrophy is to examine the causes and the extent of the enlargement. If the enlargement is mild and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, it is generally advised to regularly review and observe changes. However, if the turbinate hypertrophy is more pronounced and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell, it is necessary to perform a nasopharyngoscope examination to investigate the specific causes of the condition. Treatment typically involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and regular check-ups are also necessary. (Please follow the guidance of a specialist doctor for specific medications and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How is turbinate hypertrophy caused?

The most common cause of turbinates hypertrophy in clinical practice is chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is nasal symptoms caused by unresolved acute rhinitis. Patients will experience bilateral turbinates hypertrophy and poor contractile effects of the constrictor muscle. Patients will also experience alternating bilateral nasal congestion, which is lighter during physical activities in the day and more severe at night when it's quiet. In terms of treatment, patients need to initially take some proprietary Chinese medicines orally. Additionally, the nasal cavity needs to be treated with nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and edema. Patients also need to exercise to restore the function of the turbinates mucous membrane to enhance immunity and resistance, and only then can allergic rhinitis be gradually cured. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate blindly.)

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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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Will turbinate hypertrophy surgery relapse?

After surgery for enlarged nasal turbinates, it generally does not recur. Enlarged nasal turbinates are commonly seen in cases of deviated nasal septum or chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Patients with a deviated nasal septum may experience compensatory enlargement of the turbinates on both sides, where local surgical removal is needed for treatment. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is due to repeated episodes of simple rhinitis, causing persistent congestion and swelling in the lower turbinates on both sides, with a mulberry-like change on the surface. Treatment for these patients requires partial resection of the lower turbinates on both sides, but the surgery must adhere to principles; removing more than one-third of the lower turbinates should be avoided, as it can easily lead to empty nose syndrome. Postoperatively, patients also need to use antibiotics to prevent local infection. After complete recovery, patients should exercise regularly and avoid colds to prevent recurrent growth of the turbinates. (The use of medication should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.