Throughout a person’s lifetime, countless problems may arise naturally or as a result of accidents or trauma. Some conditions may also damage the nasal area, affecting the nose and the respiratory tract. Every illness or medical condition faces specific complications, some of which can be treated via various recommended methods. Among the nasal disorders is Turbinate Hypertrophy, which is the swelling and enlargement of the turbinates inside the nose. Turbinate Hypertrophy arises with notable symptoms. Thus, it is best for the patient to consult with a specialist for treatment immediately.
About Turbinate Hypertrophy
Turbinates are soft, bony structures located inside the nasal passages. There are three turbinates in each nostril, called the inferior turbinates, middle turbinates, and superior turbinates. These turbinates are situated near the septum, creating a gap between the cartilage and bone that separates the nostrils.
Nasal Turbinate Hypertrophy
The septum and turbinates create warmth and moisture in the nasal passage. However, since these turbinates are located directly in the nasal passage, their swelling and enlargement can cause interference and blockage of nasal breathing and nasal congestion. These enlarged turbinates are called “Nasal Turbinate Hypertrophy.”
Turbinate Hypertrophy Causes
What causes an enlarged turbinate? Enlargement of the nasal turbinates is mostly due to swelling of the lower turbinate. The swelling may have several causes.
The most typical of them is a common cold, which can change and expand the size of the turbinates. In most cases, the size of the turbinates decreases after recovery, but at times, it may not get smaller, and the person may experience an enlarged turbinate. Other causes of this condition include:
- Allergies
- Chronic sinusitis
- Genetic and congenital problems
- Hormonal changes due to pregnancy
- The aging process
- Weight gain
- External stimuli such as cigarette and hookah smoke or air pollution and dust
Turbinate Hypertrophy Symptoms
An enlarged or broken turbinate makes it harder to breathe through the nose. Symptoms a patient may experience are as follows:
- Difficulty with breathing
- Snoring
- A change in the sense of smell
- A dry mouth when waking up. This symptom occurs when sleeping with the mouth open because the person cannot breathe through the nose.
- A feeling of pressure on the forehead
- Mild pain in the face
- Long-term nasal congestion
- Rhinitis (sudden discharge of water from the nose)
Turbinate Hypertrophy Prevention
One way to prevent Turbinate Hypertrophy is to limit your exposure to environmental allergens. The following steps can go a long way in reducing your risk of developing this condition:
Turbinate Hypertrophy
- Remove excess dust and pet dander from your living space. You can do this by vacuuming carpets, pillows, curtains, and furniture.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA filter for short, inside your home. This filter can help remove a significant amount of irritating dust. The best place to use an air filter is in the bedroom. Also, if you have pets inside your home, it is best to keep them out of the bedroom.
- Clean mold in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens with specially formulated cleaners.
- Refrain from smoking, especially indoors. If you are a non-smoker, you should avoid inhaling smoke.
- If you have acute or chronic sinusitis, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible.
- Strengthen your immune system, drink plenty of water, and eat fruits that are high in vitamin C.
Is Turbinate Hypertrophy Serious?
Turbinate hypertrophy refers to swelling and enlargement of the turbinates, which can cause breathing problems and discomfort.
The turbinates are bony structures covered in mucus that are responsible for humidifying, warming, and filtering air. Turbinate hypertrophy usually causes respiratory problems and difficulty breathing because it narrows the airways; therefore, treatment of enlarged turbinates is usually necessary.
Diagnosing Turbinate Hypertrophy
If you encounter any suspicious prolonged symptoms of nasal congestion, it is best to see an otolaryngologist as soon as possible rather than self-treating at home.
Only a doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of your nasal congestion and recommend the best treatment. A specialist will generally use one or more of the following methods to definitively diagnose the condition.
- Reviewing the symptoms based on the patient’s description and self-report
- Clinical examination and examination of the person’s nose and throat
- Nasal endoscopy to closely examine swelling
- CT scan to assess the extent and location of obstructions
Turbinate Hypertrophy Treatment
How do you fix turbinate hypertrophy? When the nasal turbinates become swollen and enlarged, there are several ways to control or treat the condition.
Turbinate Hypertrophy Treatment
A number of treatment methods are recommended for this problem, some of the most commonly used are listed below:
Treating Turbinate Hypertrophy with Medication
Swelling and enlargement of the turbinates can be controlled and treated with prescription medications. Some of these medications can help reduce turbinate hypertrophy, such as:
- Medications used to reduce seasonal allergies, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin).
- Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. However, these medications can affect blood pressure, so it is best to avoid them if you have high blood pressure.
Nasal Decongestant Spray
If the nasal congestion is severe and bothersome, you can temporarily use nasal decongestant sprays. These sprays are used to reduce nasal swelling and shrink enlarged nasal passages, reducing Turbinate hypertrophy symptoms.
These sprays should not be used on a regular basis since they can lead to bleeding over time, and the patient can become resistant to the spray after long use, making the medication ineffective.
Turbinate Hypertrophy Surgery
If the symptoms do not improve with minimally invasive, conservative treatments, the doctor may recommend surgery to reduce the size of the nasal turbinate. Reducing turbinate hypertrophy has three main surgical procedures.
Inferior trabecular bone resection (ITBR) – For the ITBR procedure, part of the lower trabecular bone is removed, and it aims to increase airflow in the nose.
Partial inferior turbinectomy (PIT) – In the PIT procedure, the soft tissue of the inferior turbinate is removed.
Turbinate Hypertrophy Surgery
Submucosal diathermy (SMD) – This procedure uses a special needle called a diathermy needle. The needle uses heat energy to shrink the soft tissue inside the tonsils.
There are many different types of surgeries for treating Turbinate hypertrophy. Your doctor will decide which method to use based on the severity of your symptoms.
Surgery to remove the turbinates can be difficult because the doctor doesn’t have to completely remove the turbinates, as your body needs them. If all of the turbinates are removed, you may have a permanently dry and stuffy nose, a condition doctors call “empty nose syndrome” or ENS.
Turbinate Hypertrophy Natural Remedies
Turbinate hypertrophy is not a condition that can be treated with traditional medicine, but herbal remedies are used only to improve symptoms. Some useful herbs for relieving symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy are:
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus has many benefits for relieving respiratory disorders. Simply add a few drops of the essential oil of the herb to warm water and use it for inhalation.
Peppermint: Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water. Then, inhale the steam for about 15 minutes. It is best to close your eyes while breathing.
Thyme: This herb has antiseptic properties and is an excellent option for improving the functioning of the respiratory system. To use this remedy, pour 2 grams of dried thyme into boiled water and let it infuse. Consume the herbal tea daily. You can also use thyme essential oil to open your airways by inhaling the herb’s scent.
Final Word
The nasal turbinate is an important component of the nasal structure. These turbinates sometimes get inflamed and swollen due to sinusitis, allergies, environmental irritants, smoking, aging, etc., causing aggravating symptoms for the patient. If you are also experiencing symptoms such as nasal congestion, nasal obstruction, and difficulty breathing, it is best to see an ENT specialist or a plastic surgeon so that the doctor can use suitable treatments for you.
