Table of Contents:
- What is turbinate hypertrophy?
- Prognosis of the disease
- Symptoms
- Medical tests
- Causes of turbinate hypertrophy
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Medical specialist
What is turbinate hypertrophy?
Turbinate hypertrophy is a pathology that affects the respiratory mucosa. The nasal turbinates are a structure located inside the nostrils. It consists of six protuberances, arranged in pairs, which are formed by bony tissue and connective tissue, covered by a mucosa.
The function of the turbinates is to humidify and warm the air inhaled through the nose. Sometimes, these organs can become inflamed and increase in volume. When this occurs, the condition is known as turbinate hypertrophy.
Prognosis of the disease
When a good diagnosis is made and effective treatment is indicated, turbinate hypertrophy has a good prognosis, as it can be corrected.
Symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy
Enlarged turbinates can cause the following symptoms:
- Sensation of stuffy nose and obstruction.
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Mucus secretions running down from the nose into the throat
- Sinusitis
- Snoring
- Dry, hacking cough
- Dry mouth
- Decreased sense of smell
- Bad breath
- Nasal itching
- Apnea at night
- Pain at the base of the nose
- Sneezing
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Nasal or metallic voice (rhinolalia)
- Hearing loss (hypoacusis)
- Clogged ears
Turbinate hypertrophy
Affects the respiratory mucosa
Medical tests for turbinate hypertrophy
In order to diagnose the pathology, it is necessary to know the patient’s clinical history and undergo the following tests:
- Rhinofibroscopy
- Nasal cytological examination
- Rhinomanometry
- Allergy tests
What are the causes of turbinate hypertrophy?
Among the causes that favor the appearance of turbinate hypertrophy we find:
- Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis.
- Non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis.
- Changes in air temperature or humidity
- Use of certain medications or hormones
- Recurrent colds
- Exposure to chemicals
- Tobacco smoke
- Emotional stress
Can it be prevented?
To prevent turbinate hypertrophy, it is important to carry out some hygiene and safety measures at home:
- Dust the house
- Remove pollen that may be present
- Eliminate pet dander if you have any.
Treatments for turbinate hypertrophy
The treatments used to combat turbinate hypertrophy vary according to the characteristics of each case.
On the one hand, the physician may prescribe local treatments using nasal solutions that can return the turbinates to their normal state (in case of mild to moderate mucosal hypertrophy).
When, on the other hand, these treatments are not beneficial or do not produce satisfactory results, surgical treatment (partial turbinectomy, lower mucotomy or submucosal emptying) may be used. Surgery consists of the removal of part of the mucosa and bone of the turbinates.
Finally, there are the new minimally invasive techniques, which involve the use of lasers or radiofrequencies.
Which specialist treats it?
For a correct diagnosis and treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, it is necessary to consult an expert otolaryngologist.