Swollen Nasal Turbinates

When a person has difficulty breathing through their nose day and night, without being an allergic person, they may suffer from inflamed nasal turbinates.

There are various treatments to improve the symptoms that suffer from inflammation through

Turbinate reduction

What is it like to have inflamed turbinates?

When we talk about turbinates, we refer to the mucous formations that form on the lateral wall of the nostrils. This area is important because it forms the drainage meatus of the paranasal sinuses.

When the turbinates become exaggeratedly inflamed they cause a blockage inside the nasal passages and their function is interrupted.

Turbinate hypertrophy can cause nasal congestion, headache, snoring, nasal infections, and thick, dry mucus.

Upon finding this diagnosis, the otolaryngologist recommends a turbinate reduction depending on the individual characteristics of each person.

What is Turbinate Reduction?

The reduction of turbinates is the treatment, surgical or not, that is applied to the patient when he suffers from an exaggerated widening of the turbinates.

When we talk about turbinates, we refer to the mucous formations that form on the lateral wall of the nostrils. This area is important because it forms the drainage meatus of the paranasal sinuses.

When the turbinates become exaggeratedly inflamed they cause a blockage inside the nasal passages and their function is interrupted.

Turbinate hypertrophy can cause nasal congestion, headache, snoring, nasal infections, and thick, dry mucus.

Upon finding this diagnosis, the otolaryngologist recommends a turbinate reduction depending on the individual characteristics of each person.

Before and after turbinate reduction

Like all surgery, it offers gradual relief from the symptoms caused by inflammation of the turbinates. A few days after the operation, the patient will be able to breathe normally.

Do you want to check with a doctor about Turbinate Reduction?

We tell you about some different types of turbinate reduction

Naturally

The turbinates can become inflamed due to allergic causes, that is, when the patient is exposed to the agent that causes a reaction such as pollen, pets, dust, plants, etc.

If the doctor knows or determines that the reason for the condition is due to an allergy, exposure to the allergen can be prevented naturally, the doctor will recommend cleaning the house, staying away from dust or removing any residue that causes inflammation.

Through a periodic evaluation, the doctor will determine if the turbinates have returned to normal or require another stronger treatment.

Pharmacological treatment to reduce turbinates

This is the recommendation of specific medications for each particular case, among these we can find corticosteroid nasal sprays, antiallergic, added to the natural action of avoiding the agent that causes irritation.

Ear, nose and throat doctors prevent less invasive treatment when the patient has inflammation for the first time.

However, if these two methods do not work, they do not offer an effective solution, it may be because the condition is chronic and the specialist requires surgical intervention.

Radiofrequency treatment as turbinate reduction

This intervention is classified as outpatient due to its degree of difficulty, it is a surgery that can be done without the need to hospitalize the patient.

The process consists of a radiofrequency equipment that is connected through a needle to the inferior turbinate of the patient, the waves are stabilized at the lowest level and with the energy transferred to the turbinate tissue it is possible to reduce its size and in this way achieve to have the space between the nostrils again.

During this surgical session you will need anesthesia and stay in the operating room, but recovery is so fast that you can go home after a few hours.

Do you need help with your Turbinate Reduction? Dr. Lech can help you. Schedule your appointment here

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surgical treatments

Among the surgical options we find:

Turbinectomy:

During the surgery session, an endoscope, which is a tiny, lighted camera, is inserted, as well as a high-speed device called a microdebrider that cuts away the enlarged tissue of the turbinate.

To carry out the procedure, general or local anesthesia can be used to prevent the patient from feeling pain.

Turbinoplasty:

The procedure that characterizes this surgery is the change of position of the turbinate with the help of specific tools with a technique called surgical fracture. In some cases, part of the tissue must be torn to free the space between the nostrils.

Laser:

It is a tool that cauterizes the tissue on which it is used. In the case of turbinate reduction, the nasal mucosa is removed until it reaches an appropriate size to allow airflow without obstruction.

Turbinate Reduction Side Effects

The risks are varied, the development of these will depend on the physical condition of each patient, the method of care and their own genetic predispositions.

This means that not all people experience side effects after a turbinate reduction, however, these are the risks:

Allergic reaction to drugs.

Infection.

bleeding

Formation of scars on the nose.

Loss of sensation in the area.

Loss or decreased sense of smell.

The nasal blockage returns.

Do you feel discomfort in your turbinates?
You can count on the attention of Dr. Lech to achieve rapid relief.

When is turbinate reduction necessary?

As the turbinates are an important structure within the nose that influences respiratory capacity, their reduction is necessary when there is a lasting condition that decreases the patient’s quality of life.

Turbinate hypertrophy

This is the condition that causes inflammation of the turbinates and produces congestion and nasal obstruction, this impediment in the passage of air directly influences the quality of life of the patient and their health since it limits the amount of air flow bringing long-term problems.

When this occurs continuously, the otolaryngologist will recommend various treatments to get the turbinates back to their natural size and allow the nose to function correctly.

Turbinoplasty:

Symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy.

Permanent or intermittent nasal obstruction.
Headache as a consequence of decreased airflow.
Snoring at night (Although it is not limited to this condition) Nosebleed.
Dryness in the nasal mucosa and throat.
Sinusitis (Nasal infection due to inability to drain fluids).

As we can see, turbinate hypertrophy brings with it a series of conditions that reduce the quality of life of patients, so it is important to find a solution from the root.

Causes of turbinate hypertrophy.

There are various elements that can cause inflammation of the turbinates, beginning with a personal anatomical condition of a patient or environmental stimulation of inflammation when exposed to toxic agents such as chemicals, tobacco, smoke, etc.

However, inflammation of the turbinates can also be related to physiological situations such as puberty and/or pregnancy, the latter being temporary conditions.

On the other hand, having health conditions such as a predisposition to allergies, hormonal imbalances or a depressed immune system may be risk factors for turbinate hypertrophy.

What is having inflamed turbinates?

The turbinates are bony structures covered with mucosa that are found inside the nose, scattered in each nostril to fulfill the function of filtering, heating and humidifying the air each time we breathe.

When inflammation of said mucosa occurs, the passage of air becomes impossible, as well as its functioning is prevented, this is felt as a nasal congestion that invites the patient to breathe through the mouth.

Frequent questions

How much recovery time is necessary for turbinate reduction surgery?

How is expected after any surgery, the patient must rest, the definition of time will depend on the doctor's considerations according to the patient's conditions and the process carried out.

Most of the time a rest of 3 to 4 days is recommended in order to ensure prompt healing of the area.

It should be noted that turbinate reduction surgery is on an outpatient basis, so the patient can return home the same day following the doctor's instructions regarding care of the area and rest.

In some cases, the recovery of the routine is allowed, avoiding sports practices or specific demands that the doctor will highlight after the patient's care.

Consult and trust your ENT doctor to have a favorable and fast recovery after surgery.

Will I feel pain after turbinate reduction surgery?

Yes, like all surgery, it requires the cutting and manipulation of different areas inside the nose, which means later discomfort that will be treated with some medications prescribed by the doctor.

You can also feel swelling in the area, redness, and nasal congestion for at least the first 3 or 4 days after surgery.

Is it possible to treat turbinate hypertrophy without surgery?

Yes, there are conservative treatments that are based on the use of drugs and recommendations for lifestyle improvements that help eliminate the external agent that causes inflammation.

In general, doctors recommend these options as the first option to treat turbinate hypertrophy and, only if they do not give results, other invasive solutions are proposed.

You can consult with a trusted doctor about the pros and cons of surgery to help you determine how suitable it is for you.

Swollen Nasal Turbinates

Turbinate reduction

What is it like to have inflamed turbinates?

What is Turbinate Reduction?

Before and after turbinate reduction