Nasal turbinate hypertrophy: hot compress or cold compress?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 02, 2024
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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Will turbinates that have been removed grow back?

Enlarged turbinates primarily refer to the enlargement of the inferior turbinates, and in rare cases, the middle and superior turbinates may also become enlarged. Clinically, the enlargement of the inferior turbinates is mainly caused by various chronic inflammatory stimuli in the nasal area, leading to nasal congestion, impaired secretion of nasal mucus, and even symptoms such as headaches in patients. Clinically, for turbinates, minimally invasive treatment methods are mainly used, such as plasma volume reduction surgery and submucosal partial resection of the inferior turbinates. Generally speaking, once the turbinates are removed, they cannot regrow; only the surface mucosa can regrow, but the turbinate bone cannot regrow. Therefore, after the removal of the turbinates, there is a significant increase in the spaciousness of the nasal cavity, which is beneficial for improving the patient's symptoms of nasal congestion.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can hypertrophic turbinates be washed with saline?

Clinically, turbinate hypertrophy is primarily due to inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses, leading to congestion and edema of the nasal mucosa, thickening of the nasal mucosa, proliferation of the submucosal tissue, and even proliferation of the periosteum of the turbinate. Clinically, using saline solution to spray and clean the nasal cavity is a basic treatment for nasal inflammatory diseases, so turbinate hypertrophy can indeed be managed through the use of saline sprays. When spraying saline, care must be taken not to direct the spray at the turbinates directly, to avoid damaging the nasal mucosa. Typically, hypertonic saline is used, which helps maintain the stability of the nasal microenvironment and aids in restoring the nasal mucosa to its normal state. Generally, hypertonic saline is used, and other concentrations are not suitable.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What causes turbinate hypertrophy?

Enlarged turbinates are generally caused by acute and chronic inflammation. This condition is commonly seen in both acute and chronic rhinitis, as well as acute and chronic sinusitis. It occurs due to repeated inflammatory stimuli, causing the nasal turbinate mucosa to become congested, swollen, and hyperplastic. This leads to persistent worsening bilateral nasal congestion in patients. During an examination with an endoscope, significant congestion and swelling of the bilateral middle and lower turbinates can be observed. In terms of treatment, it is crucial for patients to first identify the cause of their condition. If the cause is acute or chronic rhinitis, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment should be initiated. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution can be very effective. If the patient suffers from acute or chronic sinusitis, local surgical treatment may be necessary. As long as the inflammation is eliminated, the enlargement of the turbinates will gradually recover. It is also important to maintain a light diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and engage in regular exercise to restore the function of the nasal turbinate mucosa. (The use of medication should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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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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Untreated turbinate hypertrophy can lead to what consequences?

If turbinate hypertrophy is not treated, it can lead to many severe consequences. It can cause persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients, leading to continuous oxygen deficiency, resulting in memory decline, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and facial swelling and pain. In severe cases, it can cause hyperactivity as well as psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by long-term chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis. It leads to persistent nasal congestion, and a detailed examination with an electronic nasal endoscope at a hospital will reveal congestion, swelling, and noticeable hyperplasia in the bilateral middle and lower turbinates. In treatment, turbinate hypertrophy can initially be managed with nebulized inhalation therapy, along with regular physical exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery to partially remove the bilateral lower turbinates may be necessary.