Will nasal turbinate hypertrophy heal on its own?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 14, 2025
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Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, if the enlargement is mild with no significant clinical symptoms, observation is often considered sufficient. Regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor any changes, and some patients may recover on their own.

If the turbinate enlargement is severe and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness, further examinations should be considered. These may include nasopharyngoscopy or sinus CT scans. In terms of treatment, oral medications and nasal sprays are generally considered. Regular follow-up is needed during treatment to observe the effectiveness.

(Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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

What causes turbinate hypertrophy?

Turbinates hypertrophy is most commonly seen in clinical practice, caused by repeated inflammation, leading to congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the turbinate mucosa. The hypertrophy mainly involves the lower turbinates, causing bilateral nasal obstruction in patients, with the condition progressively worsening. Additionally, there may be mucous secretions from the front of the nose, and when accompanied by a bacterial infection, yellow secretions may be present. Patients may also experience facial swelling, headaches, reduced sense of smell, and memory decline as clinical symptoms. Upon examination with an endoscope, significant congestion and swelling of the bilateral lower turbinates can be observed, often covered with abnormal secretions. In terms of treatment, if the turbinate hypertrophy is chronic, conservative treatment is ineffective, and patients may require partial resection of the bilateral lower turbinates for a cure. However, surgery has its principles; it is crucial not to remove more than one-third of the lower turbinate to avoid the risk of empty nose syndrome.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is hypertrophic turbinates easy to treat?

Enlarged turbinates are very treatable. Generally, turbinate enlargement is due to chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis inflammation. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, alternating changes, turbinate congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and the presence of mucous or yellow secretions in the nasal cavity. In treatment, conservative treatments like microwave or laser therapy can be initially used with good effects. However, if a patient repeatedly suffers from colds and inflammation, this can lead to persistent turbinate growth, at which point localized surgical removal may be necessary. Surgery requires general anesthesia and involves partial removal of turbinates on both sides, but the lower third of the inferior turbinate should not be removed to avoid the risk of empty nose syndrome. Postoperative use of antibiotics is necessary to prevent local infections, and improvement can generally be expected within about a week. (Medication usage should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Post-laser sequelae of turbinate hypertrophy

Using laser treatment for hypertrophic turbinates can potentially lead to complications, the more common ones being nasal dryness and mucosal erosion. It may also cause recurring nasal bleeding. Additionally, some patients might experience a burning sensation or the feeling of a foreign body in the nasal cavity. More serious cases could lead to a nasal septum perforation. Hence, the specific complications vary from individual to individual. After surgery, it is necessary to have regular check-ups at the otolaryngology department, where procedures like nasal endoscopy and routine blood tests can help in assessing the condition. In the event of complications, timely and targeted treatment should be administered to mitigate the severity of these complications and improve the patient's quality of life.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.)