People usually do not think about their breathing until they have trouble breathing. If you always feel like your nose is blocked even when you do not have a cold it might be because your nasal turbinates have grown too big. Some people think they have allergies or sinus problems. They actually have a problem with the structure of their nose. To understand nasal turbinates you need to know what they do why they get too big and when nasal turbinates surgery is needed.
What Are Nasal Turbinates?
Nasal turbinates are curved structures inside your nose. They help to warm the air you breathe remove pollutants and add moisture. They work like a defense system to protect your airways. You have three turbinates and they are all important. The inferior turbinate is the one that usually causes breathing problems when it gets too big.
The problem of turbinate hypertrophy happens when these structures get too big.
What Is Turbinate Hypertrophy?
Turbinate hypertrophy is when your nasal turbinates are too big. This can make it hard to breathe through your nose.
Some common reasons for this problem are:
- Allergies that never go away
- Sinus infections that keep coming
- Bad things in the air like smoke or pollution
- A deviated septum
- Using nasal spray much
- Hormonal changes
Sometimes the swelling goes away on its own like when allergy season is over.. For many people the problem does not go away and they have trouble breathing all the time.
Symptoms of Enlarged Turbinates
Turbinate hypertrophy can feel like your nose is always blocked. It is not like a cold that goes away after a days.
Some common symptoms are:
- Nasal congestion that never goes away
- Trouble breathing through your nose
- Breathing through your mouth at night
- Snoring
- Waking up with a mouth
- Not being able to smell things well
Some people say it feels like their nose is always “half-stuffed ” even on good days.
When Is Turbinate Hypertrophy Treatment Needed?
Not everyone needs surgery. Most doctors try to treat the problem with medicine
Some common treatments are:
- Medicine to control allergies
- Nasal steroid sprays
- Rinsing your nose with salt water
- Decongestants but for a short time
- Allergy shots
Surgery is only needed when the problem does not go away with medicine. This is when breathing problems start to affect your sleep focus and daily life.
What Is Nasal Turbinate Reduction?
Nasal turbinate reduction is a procedure that makes the nasal turbinates smaller. The goal is not to remove them but to make them small enough so that they do not block airflow.
There are a few ways to do this procedure:
- Using radiofrequency to reduce the size of the turbinates
- Removing some of the tissue
- Using a tool to reduce the size of the turbinates
- Using a laser
Each method is designed to shrink the tissue without hurting the outside of the nose.
The specific method used depends on how big the turbinatesre the shape of the patients nose.
What Is Nasal Turbinates Surgery Like?
Nasal turbinates surgery is a procedure that is usually done in a doctors office. It uses anesthesia and sedation and sometimes general anesthesia. The procedure only takes an hour. The surgeon makes the turbinates smaller. The patient can usually go home the same day.
Recovery After Nasal Turbinate Reduction
Recovery is usually easy. It takes some time.
For the few days you might have some swelling, congestion or bleeding. Your nose might feel more blocked at first. This gets better as you heal.
Some common things people experience are:
- Mild discomfort
- Dryness in the nose
- A little bit of crusting
- Some congestion
Using sprays can help keep your nose moist while it heals.
Most people can go back to their activities in a few days and they are usually fully healed in a few weeks.
Benefits of Nasal Turbinates Surgery
For people who really need it nasal turbinates surgery can make a difference in their life.
Some common benefits are:
- breathing through the nose
- Less mouth breathing
- Better sleep
- Less snoring
- Being able to exercise
- Not needing to use nasal sprays as much
Some people even say they have more energy and can focus better when their breathing is normal.
Are There Risks?
Like any procedure nasal turbinate reduction can have some risks but they are rare.
Some possible risks are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Making the turbinates too small which can cause dryness or discomfort
- A temporary change in your sense of smell
Choosing a doctor can help reduce these risks.
It is also important not to remove much of the turbinate tissue. These structures are important. Keeping them working is key to having good results in the long term.
Is Surgery Always Necessary?
Surgery is only needed when other treatments do not work. Some people get better with medicine. Surgery is needed when someone has a septum that needs to be fixed. A good diagnosis helps doctors choose the treatment.
When to See a Specialist
You should see a specialist if you have congestion that does not go away with medicine for three months and it is affecting your sleep and daily life. The specialist will use a tool to look inside your nose and see if your nasal turbinates are blocked. This helps them choose the treatment.
Final Thoughts
People who have trouble breathing through their nose have a time in their daily life. It affects their sleep focus and overall health. If you have trouble breathing you should think about turbinate hypertrophy. The good news is that there are treatments that can help.
At Fort Worth ENT medicine can help people. Some people need turbinate reduction and some need nasal turbinates surgery. If you have trouble breathing you should think about your treatment options. Breathing is important for having sleep, energy and overall health.
FAQs
1. What are nasal turbinates?
They are structures, inside your nose that warm filter and humidify the air you breathe.
2. What is turbinate hypertrophy?
It is when your nasal turbinates get too big and cause breathing problems.
3. When is turbinate hypertrophy treatment needed?
Treatment is needed when nasal congestion does not go away with medicine.
4. What is nasal turbinate reduction?
It is a procedure that makes the nasal turbinates smaller to improve airflow.
5. Is nasal turbinates surgery safe?
Yes it is generally safe and simple when done by a doctor.