Turbinate Hypertrophy

What is Turbinate Hypertrophy?

Inside each nostril are small, shelf-like structures called turbinates. Their job is to warm, humidify, and filter the air we breathe. When these structures become persistently enlarged — a condition called turbinate hypertrophy — they can significantly reduce airflow and make breathing through the nose difficult.

Turbinate enlargement is one of the most common causes of chronic nasal obstruction, and is frequently found alongside other conditions like a deviated septum or allergies. In many cases, treating the turbinates is an essential part of restoring normal nasal breathing.

Common Symptoms of Turbinate Hypertrophy

• Chronic nasal congestion or stuffiness
• Difficulty breathing through the nose, often worse at night
• Nasal obstruction that switches from side to side
• Reduced sense of smell
• Snoring or disrupted sleep
• Poor response to allergy or sinus medications

Diagnosis & Treatment

Turbinate hypertrophy is identified during an in-office nasal endoscopy, which allows Dr. Benjamin Rafii to directly visualize the turbinates and assess their size and contribution to nasal obstruction. Treatment depends on the severity of enlargement and whether an underlying cause — such as allergies — is contributing.

Medical management, including nasal steroid sprays and allergy treatment, is often the first step. When symptoms persist despite medication, turbinate reduction — a minimally invasive procedure that reduces the size of the turbinates while preserving their normal function — can provide lasting relief. This procedure is frequently performed alongside septoplasty when both conditions are present, allowing patients to address multiple causes of nasal obstruction at the same time.