Can you smoke with hypertrophic turbinates?

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

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

The symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy vary among individuals. Some patients just have simple turbinate hypertrophy with no obvious clinical symptoms, while others may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, dizziness, and memory decline. However, generally speaking, most cases are not very severe. It is necessary to visit an otolaryngology department for a nasopharyngoscopy to ascertain the specific extent of the hypertrophy, and to check for any nasal inflammation, sinusitis, or nasal neoplasms. In terms of treatment, most patients primarily receive oral medications and nasal spray treatments. A small number of patients may need to consider surgical treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does nasal turbinate hypertrophy cause nosebleeds?

Symptoms of hypertrophic turbinates are numerous, but generally do not cause nosebleeds. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. It is necessary to seek treatment from an otolaryngologist after onset of these symptoms. Nasal endoscopy, sinus CT scans, and routine blood tests can help clarify the extent of the condition. In terms of medication, oral medications and nasal sprays are commonly used, and irrigating the nasal cavity with saline solution can also be beneficial. However, some patients with severe conditions may not respond well to conservative treatment and might need to consider surgery. After surgery, regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you drink alcohol with enlarged turbinates?

It is best not to drink alcohol if you have enlarged turbinates, as alcohol can stimulate the dilation of blood vessels, leading to congestion and swelling of the turbinates, which in turn exacerbates nasal congestion symptoms. Enlarged turbinates are just a clinical presentation, not a disease. The most common cause of enlarged turbinates in clinical settings is chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis results from repeated acute inflammatory stimuli, causing congestion, swelling, and hyperplasia of the turbinate mucosa. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens and may also have abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity. During an examination with an electronic rhinoscope, pronounced congestion and swelling in both middle and lower turbinates can be observed, sometimes showing mulberry-like changes on the surface. For treatment, patients may need to undergo a partial inferior turbinectomy, which requires hospitalization, and recovery is typically about one week before discharge.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does turbinate hypertrophy require surgery?

In clinical practice, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates must be differentiated by various causes. If the hypertrophy is simple, such as due to nasal mucosal vasoconstrictors like ephedrine nasal drops or phenylephrine nasal drops, which show good shrinkage response, it suggests a simple hypertrophy, often mainly treated with medication. If the surface of the hypertrophied turbinate is uneven and unresponsive to vasoconstrictors, and if there is severe nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell or even loss of it, then medication may not effectively alleviate the condition. Surgical treatment, such as partial resection of the inferior nasal turbinate, would be needed to restore normal nasal airways.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.)