What causes inflamed inferior turbinate?
This condition is called inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A turbinate becomes enlarged when the mucosa gets inflamed due to rhinitis or chronic sinusitis. Thickened or abnormally positioned turbinate bones can also cause breathing problems.
How do you treat inferior turbinates?
There are three main surgical approaches to reducing turbinate hypertrophy:
- Inferior turbinate bone resection (ITBR). This involves removing a portion of bone of the inferior turbinates to promote airflow in the nose.
- Partial inferior turbinectomy (PIT).
- Submucosal diathermy (SMD).
Can turbinates be damaged?
But, when the the lack of airflow forces become too great from too much severe nasal underuse and mouth-breathing, the turbinates become damaged, and inflammatory cells rush to the rescue.
How long do turbinates take to heal?
For less invasive turbinate reductions, recovery is usually quick and not very painful. In about three weeks, the new scar tissue in your nose should be completely healed. For the more invasive type of turbinate reduction surgery, recovery takes three to six months.
Can you touch inferior turbinate?
The main ones are the middle and the inferior, which is a large structure that runs the length of the nasal airway. It is a highly vascular structure, about the size of your finger. You can almost touch the front part of it with your finger and it extends to the area where your adenoids are.
Can you see inferior turbinate?
The are called the turbinates of the nose. The largest of these are the lowest ones on each side: the inferior turbinates. Unlike the other ones, which are hard to see when we look in the nose with a light, the inferior turbinates are big and obvious pink fleshy lumps, which are easily seen.
Can inferior turbinates grow back?
In some cases, a reduced turbinate may regrow, requiring a repeat surgery to reduce their size. In most cases, turbinate reductions are successful at opening the airways and making breathing easier.