Is the recurrence rate of nasal turbinate hypertrophy high?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 13, 2025
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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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If turbinate hypertrophy is not treated surgically, what could be the consequences?

If turbinate hypertrophy is not surgically treated, it can lead to persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients, accompanied by swelling and a severe foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity, which can lead to diminished sense of smell, memory deterioration, and other related symptoms. Turbinate hypertrophy is primarily caused by prolonged inflammatory stimulation of the nasal mucosa, leading to diffuse congestion, edema, proliferation, and hypertrophy of the bilateral turbinates in patients, resulting in persistent nasal congestion. A detailed examination with an endoscope at a hospital can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, initial approaches include nebulized inhalation therapy to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise can also help restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatments are ineffective and the turbinates continue to be enlarged, local surgical removal may be required to cure the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted for turbinate hypertrophy?

Patients with enlarged turbinates should pay attention to the following aspects: First, they need to visit an otolaryngologist regularly to observe changes in their condition. If accompanied by related clinical symptoms, medication should be considered. Second, in daily life, nasal irrigation with saline can be used to reduce the retention of nasal secretions, improve clinical symptoms, and alleviate the severity of enlarged turbinates. Third, it is important to avoid exposure to external irritants in daily life as much as possible and to avoid catching colds, as these factors can exacerbate the existing condition. Overall, enlarged turbinates are a common condition, and with timely treatment, the condition will gradually improve.

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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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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 Zhang Jun
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Can you eat chili peppers with enlarged turbinates?

People with enlarged nasal turbinates should avoid eating spicy peppers, as they are considered irritants. Consumption of spicy peppers can worsen the enlargement of nasal turbinates, leading to persistent nasal congestion. For enlarged nasal turbinates, it is necessary to visit a hospital and undergo examination with an electronic nasoscope to determine the cause. Generally, this condition is caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis. Enlargement of the nasal turbinates typically leads to symptoms such as persistent and progressive bilateral nasal congestion, swelling sensation in the nasal cavity, foreign body sensation, facial swelling, pain, headache, and the discharge of abnormal mucous secretions from the nasal cavity. In terms of treatment, initial management of enlarged nasal turbinates can involve the use of nebulized inhalation to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise can also help restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal of parts of the lower turbinates on both sides may be required to completely cure the condition.