09 Feb Nasal concha hyperplasia: impaired nasal breathing due to enlarged nasal conchae

The lateral wall of the nasal cavity contains a lower, a middle and an upper turbinate. These are bony ridges that surround a vascularised cavernous tissue. They are there to humidify and warm the air we breathe. If they swell and become permanently enlarged, they obstruct breathing. In this case, we ENT specialists speak of turbinate hyperplasia, which can be associated with increased mouth breathing, snoring and an increased susceptibility to infections in the throat and neck. You can find out what this finding means for you and how we can help you in this article.

Nasal concha hyperplasia

If you have turbinate hyperplasia, your turbinates are permanently enlarged. The lower turbinates are usually affected. The underlying nasal passage forms a connection to the airways. If the turbinates become enlarged, they lead to problems with nasal breathing: you then have the permanent feeling of having a blocked nasal passage. blocked nose to have. Especially when the air is too dry, they find it difficult to breathe through their nose. The problem can occur on one or both sides or even alternately. Nasal concha hyperplasia can be particularly troublesome when lying down. The already enlarged turbinates are supplied with even more blood. This means that even less air can pass through the nose.

Causes for the development of turbinate hyperplasia

An enlargement of the turbinates is not usually congenital, but is caused by various factors. These include

Curvature of the nasal septum
excessive use of nasal spray or nasal drops with a decongestant (Nasal spray addiction)
Chronic allergic rhinitis/hay fever
Injuries
Malfunctions
Infections with viruses or bacteria
Food and medication intolerances
Chronic sinusitis
Hormone fluctuations (e.g. in pregnant women) and oestrogen-containing contraceptives
Pollutants in the air we breathe
Frequent, extreme temperature differences
Alcohol abuse

Impaired nasal breathing: symptoms of turbinate enlargement

Enlarged nasal swellings can cause unpleasant discomfort:

Insufficient nasal breathing/ventilation of the nasal cavities
Increased breathing through the mouth
Snoring up to sleep apnoea
Difficulties with eating and drinking
Nasal voice
Drying out of the mucous membranes
Irritable cough
Sore throat
Increased susceptibility to infections of the sinuses, throat, larynx, tonsils or bronchi
Feeling of pressure in the paranasal sinuses
Increased secretion from the nose
Sneezing stimulus
Odour disorders
Nosebleed
Tubal ventilation disorder of the middle ears
Headache

Diagnostics for enlarged turbinates

In our ENT practice in Frankfurt we can quickly confirm the diagnosis if you are suspected of having an enlarged turbinate. We will perform a direct or endoscopic nasal examination and an ultrasound examination on you. This allows us to assess the shape, size and condition of your turbinates.

In some cases, this is followed by a Allergy diagnostics of your examination. If necessary, we can order a computerised tomography scan to rule out a hidden inflammation in the area of the paranasal sinuses.

Nasal turbinate hyperplasia: How we can treat enlarged turbinates

Conservative therapy is possible: Depending on the initial situation or cause of the turbinate hyperplasia, we recommend avoiding the trigger (weaning off nasal spray, avoiding allergens, treating the allergy, etc.). Treatment with cortisone can also help.

If this conservative therapy does not lead to success, surgical treatment is advisable. Laser conchotomy we can reduce the size of your turbinates using a special laser.

Before the laser treatment, we insert cotton swabs soaked in an anaesthetic into your nose for about half an hour. No injection is therefore necessary for the anaesthetic. We can then use the laser to painlessly reduce the size of your nasal swelling in just a few minutes. No tamponade is required after the procedure. You can go home afterwards.

Laser conchotomy is a low-risk and effective method of restoring your nasal swelling to a normal size. This significantly improves your nasal breathing.

If a deviated septum is involved in nasal concha hyperplasia, it can help to straighten it surgically (Nasal septum surgery).

Nasal concha hyperplasia treatment Frankfurt

If your Breathing is impaired by enlarged turbinates, we will be happy to help you. At our ENT practice in Frankfurt, we are optimally equipped to analyse your findings and treat you. We regularly perform both laser conchotomy and surgical straightening of the nasal septum.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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ENT, ENT doctor, ENT doctor Frankfurt, ENT medicine, Nasal concha hyperplasia, Nasal concha, Enlarged turbinates