What are the Nasal Turbinates?
Inside the nose, just beyond the nostrils, lie the nasal turbinates—three pairs of slender bones covered with mucosal tissue. These structures help regulate the temperature, humidity, and airflow speed as you breathe in.
What are Hypertrophic Turbinates?
This term describes turbinates that are enlarged either due to swollen lining tissue or increased bone size, leading to blocked nasal passages.
What causes Swollen Turbinates?
Some people are born with larger turbinates or nasal conchae. Others experience swelling from allergies, infections, irritants like dust or chemicals, or changes in airflow caused by nasal structural issues.
How are Swollen Turbinates diagnosed?
Dr. Brodner will review your medical history and perform a physical exam, often using a small endoscopic camera inserted into the nostril to view the airway.
How are Swollen Turbinates treated?
Treatment depends on the cause. Infections may require antibiotics, while allergies and irritants might be managed with nasal steroids or decongestants. If symptoms persist, surgery to reduce turbinate size may be recommended.
What surgeries are used in Turbinate Reduction?
Depending on the assessment, options include electrocautery, radiofrequency reduction, microdebrider resection, partial removal, and COBLATION® technology.
Turbinate Symptoms and Conditions
Stuffy Nose
Many experience a sensation of nasal blockage, medically called nasal obstruction. Causes range from temporary congestion due to colds or allergies to chronic swelling of the turbinates or nasal structural abnormalities.
Hypertrophic Turbinates
Enlarged turbinates, especially the inferior turbinate, can significantly limit airflow through the nose.
Deviated Septum
The nasal septum separates the nasal passages but can be crooked from birth or injury. This displacement narrows one side of the nose, often leading to swollen turbinates due to uneven airflow.
Allergic Runny Nose/Post-Nasal Drip, and Hay Fever
Inflammation of the nasal passages can cause a runny nose or post-nasal drip, often triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander. Sometimes, food allergies can also contribute.
Non-Allergic (Vasomotor) Runny Nose/Post-Nasal Drip
This condition causes nasal swelling unrelated to allergies and may be triggered by irritants, dry air, medications, or emotional factors.
Nasal Valve Collapse
The nasal valve is just inside the nostrils. If these tissues are narrow or too flexible, they can collapse during inhalation, restricting airflow and causing a stuffy sensation.
What can I expect from Turbinate Reduction Treatment?
COBLATION turbinate reduction is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive office procedure. It avoids general anesthesia, reduces downtime, and lowers costs compared to hospital surgery.
This technology uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy combined with saline to create a plasma field at the device’s tip. It precisely dissolves targeted tissue at a molecular level, preserving surrounding healthy areas.
Schedule a Coblation® Turbinate Reduction Consultation
If persistent nasal congestion is affecting you, it may be due to enlarged turbinates. Call (561) 735-8750 today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. David C. Brodner at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness in Boynton Beach, FL. Discover if COBLATION® Turbinate Reduction is the right solution for your nasal comfort.
Request Appointment Today