What are Nasal Turbinates, and Nasal Obstruction

Yasmina Ahmed, M.D. • September 23, 2021

What are nasal turbinates?

Nasal obstruction may occur secondary to enlarged nasal turbinates. The nasal turbinates are paired bony structures covered with mucosa (lining) arising from the lateral nasal wall. Your nasal turbinates normally act to humidify the air we breathe. The mucosa (lining) of the inferior turbinate will often shrink and swell as part of the normal nasal cycle. However, in some patients when the turbinate bone and/or mucosal lining enlarges significantly this can cause the sensation of nasal obstruction (difficulty breathing through your nose). The mucosa (lining) of the nose can become swollen in response to allergies, inflammation, and infection. The turbinate bone may also become enlarged which further contributes to nasal obstruction.

What are the symptoms of nasal obstruction?

Symptoms of nasal obstruction include rhinorrhea (runny nose), nasal congestion or stuffiness, nasal blockage, difficulty breathing through your nose, postnasal drip, trouble sleeping, and facial pain/pressure.

What treatments are available to treat enlarged turbinates?

There are medical and surgical treatments available. Typically a significant portion of patients experience improvement with medications such as intranasal steroid sprays, intranasal antihistamine sprays, nasal saline rinses, and oral allergy medications. For patients with inadequate relief with medical therapy, there are several surgical options available (e.g. turbinate outfracture and turbinate reduction). Nasal turbinate surgery can be combined with other nasal airway procedures (e.g. septoplasty, internal nasal valve surgery and/or sinus surgery) to further improve your nasal breathing. The surgical procedure indicated depends on your nasal anatomy and thorough discussion with your surgeon.

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