Quality treatment for enlarged turbinates
Enlarged turbinates can be incredibly unpleasant and disruptive, but relief is in sight! There are a number of effective treatments for enlarged turbinates. Many patients, however, are unaware of what turbinates are in the first place, and the first step to relief is knowing the basics.
What are nasal turbinates? Nasal turbinates are small structures in your nose that are made up of bone and soft tissues. Their function is to help warm and moisten the air you’re inhaling while filtering out any dirt or pollen before the air hits your lungs. When you’re experiencing a cold or allergy symptoms, these structures can become irritated and begin to swell, causing unpleasant symptoms.
Knowing what causes enlarged turbinates can help you to better find a treatment course. If you’re looking for relief, Kaplan Sinus Relief offers a variety of treatment options for enlarged turbinates, to get you on the way to breathing easy.
What causes turbinates to enlarge?
Because turbinates are your nose’s gatekeepers, they tend to come into contact with a lot of germs and allergens. If you’re experiencing common ailments like allergies or a cold, your turbinates will become inflamed and cause the structure to swell. The swelling will block the natural flow of air when you inhale, making it hard to breathe through your nose. This is usually painless, but it can feel as if an object is blocking one side of your nose. So, how can you tell if your trouble breathing is caused by enlarged turbinates?
Enlarged turbinates symptoms
Enlarged turbinates symptoms can include:
- Persistent nasal congestion or nasal obstruction
- Sleep apnea: increased snoring or loud breathing
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Frequent sinus infections
- Increased nasal drainage
- Nosebleeds
There is a possibility that the particular anatomy of your nasal passages may cause you to be more susceptible to nasal obstructions such as collapsed nostrils, enlarged adenoids, nasal polyps, or septum deviation. If you believe this might be the case, you should see a sinus specialist.
How do you treat an enlarged turbinate?
The main two pathways for treating an enlarged turbinate are a temporary fix and a long-term solution. The temporary fix could involve medications or nasal decongestants to reduce the inflammation whereas the long-term solution could require a quick procedure. A sinus specialist can evaluate your enlarged turbinates and see which option would work best for your particular symptoms.
How do I reduce turbinates naturally?
For some patients, enlarged turbinates can be “shrunk” with saline (saltwater) to wash out mucus and bacteria and help keep your nasal passages open. Using a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to your bedroom as you sleep could also aid in reducing nasal congestion. These, however, are temporary fixes. If you are dealing with chronic inflammation that won’t seem to go away, surgery may be your best option.
Turbinate reduction procedure, what to expect?
Michael Kaplan, MD, the founding sinus specialist of Kaplan Sinus Relief, offers patients in-office turbinate reduction that is quick (around 10 minutes), minimally invasive, and virtually painless. Turbinate reduction is a procedure that reduces enlarged turbinates by repairing the functionality of the turbinates so that you can breathe easier for longer. First, a small incision will be made in the lining of the enlarged turbinate and then, a small amount of bone is removed or displaced outwards to open the nasal airway, restoring your breathing.
Turbinate reduction side effects may include some swelling or discomfort and crust on the nose for a few days after, but saline solutions and antibiotic ointments should be able to help promote the healing process.
Kaplan Sinus Relief treats enlarged turbinates with long-term solutions
If you are having trouble breathing through your nose, it is likely that you may have enlarged turbinates. Though having enlarged turbinates can feel painless, it can disrupt your daily activities and your quality of sleep. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above such as nasal congestion or the feeling of nasal obstruction, Dr. Kaplan at Kaplan Sinus Relief can evaluate the state of your sinuses and see what can be done.
At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we believe in providing long-term solutions to sinus issues. Request a consultation with Dr. Kaplan or schedule an appointment today for better breathing.