Unlocking Clearer Airways: The Benefits of Turbinate Reduction

There’s a difference between feeling a little congested and being unable to breathe through your nose. If you’ve tried the usual medications, sprays, or allergy treatments with little success, there’s a good chance your turbinates are the reason. 

Turbinate reduction is used to treat chronic nasal obstruction caused by enlarged turbinates, soft tissue-covered structures inside your nose that help regulate airflow and humidity. When your turbinates become too large, whether from allergies, inflammation, or anatomical issues, they can block your airways and make breathing harder.

Most people don’t know what turbinates are until they become a problem. In Los Angeles, Mani Zadeh, MD, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist, will get to the root of your symptoms and, if turbinate reduction is the answer, expertly carry out the procedure.

In this blog, he explains why turbinate growth becomes a problem, how turbinate reduction works, and what you should expect if you’re considering it.

How turbinate reduction works

The goal of turbinate reduction is to remove or shrink the excess tissue that’s physically blocking the nasal passage, while leaving the structure intact so the turbinates can still do their job. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia and takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the technique used.

Dr. Zadeh uses a variety of techniques depending on the extent of the swelling. With radiofrequency, he applies controlled energy to shrink the tissue. He could also go with submucosal resection, where a small portion of soft tissue below the surface is removed while preserving the outer lining.

What to expect from recovery

One of the biggest advantages of turbinate reduction is the minimal downtime. Most patients go home the same day, with little to no external discomfort. You may feel congestion or pressure for a few days as your nose adjusts, but the procedure is not typically painful. 

There’s rarely any visible bruising or swelling, and recovery doesn’t involve nasal packing, which means you’re not stuck breathing through your mouth for days afterward. Dr. Zadeh provides detailed aftercare instructions, including how to rinse the nose, reduce inflammation, and monitor healing. 

You’ll have follow-up appointments to make sure everything is progressing normally, and to assess how well you’re breathing after the swelling goes down. Most patients notice significant improvement within a week or two, with continued progress in the months following as tissue settles.

Why this procedure, and who should consider it

Turbinate reduction is a great option for people who have lived with nasal obstruction for months or even years and haven’t gotten long-term relief from medication. It’s not for people with mild or seasonal congestion. 

But if your breathing is limited more often than not, and your symptoms interfere with sleep, exercise, work, or quality of life, it’s worth considering this procedure.

It’s also worth noting that many people have multiple overlapping causes of congestion, like a deviated septum, polyps, or chronic sinusitis, and turbinate reduction may be part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. Having a doctor who takes the time to figure that out matters.

Dr. Zadeh evaluates your nasal structure with physical exams and, when necessary, endoscopy or imaging. He only recommends turbinate reduction if it’s clearly the source of your problem and the best next step.

If you’re dealing with chronic nasal congestion that hasn’t improved with medication, turbinate reduction could be the answer you’ve been looking for. It’s a straightforward and effective procedure that will help you breathe easily again.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Zadeh today to find out what’s causing your congestion and whether turbinate reduction is right for you.