Enlarged inferior turbinates, also called swollen turbinates, are a condition in which the tissue lining the inside of the nose becomes enlarged. This can cause a number of symptoms, including difficulty breathing, congestion, and increased mucus production.

There are a number of treatment options available for enlarged inferior turbinates. These range from conservative measures, such as saline nasal sprays and humidifiers, to more aggressive treatments like steroid injections or surgery.

The best treatment option will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause of your enlarged turbinates. In some cases, enlarged turbinates may go away on their own. However, if your symptoms are severe or persist for more than a few weeks, it’s important to see a doctor so they can determine the right treatment plan for you.

What causes enlarged inferior turbinates?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to enlarged or swollen inferior turbinates, including:

Allergies: Allergic reactions can cause the tissue lining the inside of the nose to swell. This is often seen in people with seasonal allergies, such as hay fever.
Infections: Nasal infections, such as the common cold or chronic sinus infections, can also cause the tissue lining the inside of the nose to swell.
Environmental irritants: Exposure to smoke, dust or other airborne irritants can trigger inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.
Anatomical abnormalities: In some cases, enlarged inferior turbinates may be due to an underlying anatomical abnormality, such as a deviated septum.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, can also cause the tissue lining the inside of the nose to swell.
Medications: Some medications, such as blood pressure medications and antidepressants, can cause enlarged inferior turbinates as a side effect.

Can stress cause sinus problems that lead to swollen turbinates? While stress doesn’t directly cause enlarged inferior turbinates, it can make existing symptoms worse. This is because stress can trigger a number of underlying conditions that contribute to enlarged turbinates, such as allergies and infections. Additionally, stress can make it difficult to manage other health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can also contribute to enlarged turbinates.

Swollen turbinate symptoms

The symptoms of enlarged or swollen turbinates can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, common swollen turbinate symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing through the nose
A feeling of congestion or fullness in the nose
Increased mucus production
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Sleep apnea
Dry mouth
Chronic sinus infections
Facial pain or pressure
Headaches
Fatigue
Dizziness

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a sinus doctor so they can determine the underlying cause and recommend the best treatment options.

Do enlarged turbinates go away?

Enlarged nasal turbinates often go away on their own once you’ve recovered from the underlying condition, such as an allergy or infection. However, in some cases, enlarged turbinates may be a chronic problem. If your symptoms are severe or persist for more than a few weeks, it’s important to see a doctor so they can determine the right treatment plan for you.

How do you shrink inferior turbinates?

Enlarged inferior turbinate treatment is not always needed. Enlarged turbinates caused by allergies or infection may go away on their own once you’ve recovered from your cold or allergy season has passed. If they don’t, or if your enlarged turbinates are causing severe symptoms, there are a number of treatment options available. In some cases, enlarged inferior turbinates can be managed with conservative measures, such as:

Saline nasal spray: This can help to reduce swelling and congestion.
Humidifier: A humidifier can help to keep the air inside your home or office moist, which can reduce irritation and inflammation of the tissue lining the inside of your nose.
Nasal strips: These can help to open up the nasal passages and improve airflow.

If conservative measures don’t improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection. This can help to reduce inflammation and swelling. For some patients though, their swollen inferior turbinates may be causing nasal obstruction and will require turbinate reduction surgery to improve symptoms. There are a number of surgical options available, including:

Radiofrequency ablation: This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to shrink the enlarged turbinates.
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS): This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves removing the enlarged turbinates through the nostrils.
Traditional surgery: The more traditional procedure involves making an incision in the side of the nose to remove the enlarged turbinates.

The best procedure for turbinate reduction for you will depend on several factors including the severity of your symptoms, the underlying cause of your enlarged turbinates, and your overall health.

Find lasting relief with our quick, in-office turbinate reduction procedure in Houston!

Enlarged inferior turbinates can be a nuisance, causing everything from congestion to sleep apnea. However, enlarged turbinates don’t have to be a permanent problem. There are a number of treatment options available that can help to reduce the size of the enlarged turbinates and improve your symptoms.

At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we offer a minimally invasive in-office procedure that can help to quickly reduce the size of enlarged turbinates. The procedure is quick, taking only minutes to perform, and has very low complication rates. Most patients report significant improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment!

If you’re struggling with enlarged turbinates, don’t wait any longer to seek treatment. Schedule a consultation with us today so we can develop a customized treatment plan to get you the relief you need!

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