Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be completely cured?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 07, 2025
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Enlargement of the nasal turbinates can be completely cured. Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a clinical manifestation, not a disease itself. There are many causes of turbinate hypertrophy in clinical practice, with the most common being chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is characterized by repetitive attacks of simple rhinitis causing bilateral inferior turbinate diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia. Patients experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens. Additionally, mucous-like secretions may appear in the nasal cavity; patients may also feel a foreign body sensation in the nose, facial distension, pain, headaches, reduced sense of smell, and memory decline. Examination with an electronic nasal endoscope reveals significant congestion and edema of the bilateral inferior turbinates, sometimes showing mulberry-like changes. Treatment involves partial resection of the bilateral inferior turbinates, which can completely cure the condition.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Nasal turbinate hypertrophy: hot compress or cold compress?

Enlarged turbinates can be treated with local heat application. Heat application can shrink the turbinates and relieve the patient's nasal congestion symptoms, while also restoring nasal ventilation. Enlarged turbinates are relatively common in clinical settings, typically caused by symptoms arising from chronic rhinitis and chronic allergic rhinitis. This condition can lead to diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and enlargement of the bilateral inferior turbinates, resulting in persistent bilateral nasal congestion, along with sensations of a foreign body in the nasal cavity, swelling, and a runny nose. In severe cases, it can lead to a decrease in the sense of smell and memory loss. A detailed examination at a hospital is necessary, and a diagnosis can be confirmed with an electronic nasoscope. Treatment may initially involve nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion, accompanied by local heat application, which has a very definite effect. It is also necessary to enhance immunity and resistance for gradual improvement.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is the recurrence rate of nasal turbinate hypertrophy high?

The recurrence rate of turbinate hypertrophy is relatively high, and there are various causes for it, with most cases resulting from chronic rhinitis or sinusitis. After timely medical treatment, many patients' turbinate enlargement will be alleviated, and clinical symptoms will improve. However, the condition may recur after inflammation flares up again. For those with severe enlargement, if standard medical treatment is ineffective, some patients may consider undergoing turbinate reduction surgery. After surgery, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor the effects of the operation. Nonetheless, some patients might still experience a recurrence of the condition after surgery. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the causes of nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is saline effective for turbinate hypertrophy?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common nasal disease. Rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution has some therapeutic effects, but the specific effects vary greatly among individuals. Some patients experience good results, while others do not. In such cases, it is necessary to perform a nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scan to help assess the extent of the condition. If rinsing alone is ineffective, treatment should also include oral medications and nasal sprays. For a small number of patients who still do not respond well to standard conservative medication, surgical treatment might be considered, and long-term regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor for any recurrent episodes. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is minimally invasive treatment effective for enlarged turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy primarily considers conservative medication in treatment aspects. However, a portion of patients does not respond well to medication and may need to consider minimally invasive surgery. One common procedure is endoscopic surgery, which can perform turbinate reduction ablation. Many patients gradually improve after surgery, and their clinical symptoms also diminish. However, individual differences in treatment outcomes still exist. Post-surgery, it is essential to regularly follow up and observe changes in the patient's condition. Additionally, some patients might need combined therapy involving oral and nasal spray medications and can benefit from nasal irrigation with saline solution as an adjunctive treatment. (Please follow the doctor's prescription when taking medications.)