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THE BENEFITS OF INFERIOR TURBINATE REDUCTION

Updated: Apr 23

20-MIN PROCEDURE TO REDUCE NASAL CONGESTION & STUFFINESS

Did you know that a quick 20-minute in-office procedure called Turbinate Reduction can help improve your breathing, increase airflow, and reduce snoring?


WHAT ARE NASAL TURBINATES?


The turbinates are bony structures located on the side walls of the nose. They are covered in a mucosal lining designed to warm, humidify, and filter the air before going to the lungs.


The turbinate tissue and mucosal lining, comprised of rich blood vessels, can become aggravated and enlarged due to allergies, colds, upper respiratory infections, inflammation from exposure to certain medications, and pregnancy among other factors. This condition is known as hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates which causes nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, and increased snoring.






DIAGNOSING HYPERTROPHY OF NASAL TURBINATES


When patients present in our office with nasal congestion, snoring, sleep apnea, or a feeling of stuffiness, Dr. Khetarpal will review symptoms and medical history and perform a nasal endoscopy under local anesthesia to determine the source of the issue. During this process, he can begin to determine if the nasal turbinates are causing an obstruction, or if the obstruction/stuffiness is caused by other factors including a deviated septum, swelling of the mucosal lining due to allergies, nasal polyps, sinusitis, among other factors. Based on the initial findings, additional testing may need to be done to determine the severity of the obstruction which may include CT imaging, allergy testing, and more. Patients are also recommended to try medications and nasal sprays to see if symptoms improve. Each case is different and Dr. Khetarpal will develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient which may include other procedures besides turbinate reduction to maximize airflow and improve overall breathing.



TREATMENT FOR HYPERTROPHY OF NASAL TURBINATES


Nasal steroid sprays and antihistamine medications can help reduce swelling of the nasal turbinates, however, traditional methods do not always work for some individuals. In these cases, turbinate reduction may be recommended.


Inferior turbinate Reduction involves performing a submucosal reduction of the turbinates with or without removing any bone or a conservative partial resection of the bone or submucosal ablation of soft tissues of the turbinate and can be done under local anesthesia and takes 20 minutes. These conservative methods to reduce breathing obstruction are some of many of several procedures that we offer at our office to help optimize your breathing, improve your quality of sleep, and increase your energy and overall health. It is also helpful in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are having difficulty tolerating CPAP due to nasal stuffiness or congestion or even claustrophobia.


RECOVERY TIME FOR TURBINATE REDUCTION


Some scabs develop after the procedure which are removed in the office one to two weeks out. Occasionally reactive polyps may develop which are also removed in the office after surgery. Generally, there is minimal pain after surgery, although the nose may be a bit tender. Nasal congestion is expected, but as the swelling goes down, patients will notice an improvement in the amount of airflow and decreased sensation of stuffiness. Occasionally bleeding can occur weeks after surgery which may require packing. Our staff is trained to explain how to prepare before and after a procedure to ensure the safety of each patient.




Do you suffer from nasal congestion and stuffiness? Ask Dr. Khetarpal about inferior turbinate reduction and treatment options. Same-day and next-day appointments are available!



Dr. Khetarpal accepts most major insurance plans and is accepting new patients in The Woodlands and in The Heights. Make an appointment with Houston's #1 ENT








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