The turbinates are bones within the nose that help promote optimal breathing. When they become abnormally enlarged or swollen, they can create a blockage that prevents your ability to breathe freely and easily.
What Causes Turbinate Hypertrophy?
- Allergies and/or sinusitis
- Cigarette smoke and other irritants
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- The natural aging process
- Congenital factors
Our Treatment Options
If your condition is not severe enough to warrant surgery, medications may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy. For example, nasal steroid sprays, nasal antihistamine sprays, oral decongestants and oral steroids can all help to reduce swelling, target inflammation and improve nasal breathing.
However, if your symptoms persist with medication, surgery may be necessary to reduce the size of your inferior turbinates. When done correctly, this procedure can improve nasal breathing, minimize postnasal drip and reduce nasal drainage. It can be performed entirely within the nose, without any external incisions or scarring. To begin, your doctor will insert a small, lighted endoscope to obtain a magnified view of the turbinates. From there, he or she will reduce the size of these vital structures through radiofrequency ablation, cautery of the turbinates or the surgical reduction of the turbinate bone.
