Can medication cure nasal turbinate hypertrophy?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 29, 2025
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Turbinate hypertrophy can often be cured with medication, and if not cured, partial surgical removal of the hypertrophied turbinates can be curative.

Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. It manifests due to lowered immunity and resistance in the body, leading to repeated inflammatory infections or allergic reactions in the nasal cavity, resulting in bilateral nasal turbinates swelling diffusely, becoming edematous, proliferating, and enlarging.

After turbinate enlargement, it mainly causes the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion on both sides, accompanied by a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity. Patients will also have mucous secretions from the nasal cavity and will require a detailed examination at the hospital, where tests such as nasal endoscopy, sinus CT, and allergen antibody tests can provide a diagnosis.

For treatment, nebulized inhalation can be used with good effectiveness for chronic rhinitis. For allergic rhinitis, symptomatic anti-allergic treatment is needed to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can turbinate hypertrophy be left untreated?

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
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Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with nasal irrigation?

Enlarged nasal turbinates are a relatively common clinical presentation, often associated with rhinitis and sinusitis, and can also be due to exposure to external irritants. Nasal washing is one option to consider. The most commonly used method is saline nasal irrigation, and physiological seawater can also be used. Typically, washing is recommended two to three times a day. If there is an inflammatory response, medication may also be necessary. Common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays, with a treatment period usually lasting more than a week. After starting medication, regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery, and most patients generally respond well to treatment.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What medicine should be taken for hypertrophic turbinates?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, mainly involving enlargement of the middle and inferior turbinates. Patients often develop bony, bubble-like formations in the middle turbinate, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, contact headache, nasal itchiness, and runny nose. For patients with nasal turbinate hypertrophy, who often also suffer from sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, treatment primarily involves local anti-inflammatory measures. Additionally, the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can help reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and aid in relieving nasal congestion. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be completely cured?

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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Initial symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy

The initial symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy are quite numerous, the most common being nasal congestion and a runny nose. There may also be headaches, dizziness, decreased sense of smell, and snoring during sleep. The specific symptoms can vary greatly between individuals. After the onset of symptoms, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) specialist. Tests such as nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans can help assess the severity of the condition. Most patients may consider conservative medical treatment, commonly using nasal spray medications and oral medications. However, a small number of patients may not respond well to conservative drug treatments and might need to consider surgical treatment, which requires regular follow-ups to monitor the effectiveness of the surgery. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)