Why can’t you breathe through your nose: Part II – Enlarged turbinates
If you have trouble breathing through your nose, there may be several causes; it’s important to seek out a qualified specialist for an expert evaluation. The nasal turbinates are shelf-like bones located on the walls on each side of the nasal cavity and are covered by mucous membranes. Their function is to warm, moisten, and filter air as it passes through the nose on the way to the lungs. Turbinates normally swell and contract as they filter air. When turbinates remain swollen, they can cause chronic nasal congestion, snoring or sleep apnea, and a propensity to sinus infections.
During our consultation, I will thoroughly evaluate each part of the nose to come up with the best plan of care for your nasal obstruction. This may involve looking into your nose with a small endoscope to assess the internal anatomy of the nose in order to determine potential internal sources of the obstruction. I may also order a CT scan to more thoroughly assess the internal nasal structures including the septum, sinuses, and turbinates.
Often, I will order a topical medicated spray in an effort to decrease the turbinate swelling prior to discussing reduction surgery. If the nasal spray medication fails to resolve the issue, a turbinate reduction procedure is often helpful. This procedure involves a small incision (5mm) at the front of each turbinate, followed by the gentle removal and repositioning of the thin layer of the turbinate bone. This is often performed in combination with the removal of the swollen tissue underneath the mucous membrane lining of the turbinate.
Turbinate reduction surgery is often performed at the same time as a functional and/or cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery, septoplasty, and/or sinus surgery. My training and experience as both a board-certified ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty gives me a unique and highly attuned perspective on the anatomy and appearance of the nose. When deciding on your nasal surgeon, you should choose a specialist who deeply understands this delicate interplay between nasal form and function.
Read more about turbinate reduction surgery here.
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