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Suggest Treatment For Turbinate Inflammation
Question: I'm planning to have a radio frequency treatment on my left turbinate -- just 1/2 puncture (I had 2 punctures 4 years ago), so we're trying to be conservative. While both inferior turbinates have been inflammed for the last two months -- apparently it was an allergic reaction that induced the inflammation (no evidence of infection) -- the left side is worse about 60 percent of the time.
Also the left side is more narrow, with a moderate deviated septum -- hence the focus of the procedure on that side.
As the right side of my nose has a bit more space, I tend to favor that side
in my breathing, sort of like a person favoring one leg if the other is sprained.
My question: can the fact that I am favoring the better side cause that better side to also be more irritated than it otherwise be? Or can just having turbinate inflammation on one side that's worse than the other side alone help keep or make the other side inflammed? (Remember both sides have been inflammed; it's just the left has been worse the majority of the time)
Also the left side is more narrow, with a moderate deviated septum -- hence the focus of the procedure on that side.
As the right side of my nose has a bit more space, I tend to favor that side
in my breathing, sort of like a person favoring one leg if the other is sprained.
My question: can the fact that I am favoring the better side cause that better side to also be more irritated than it otherwise be? Or can just having turbinate inflammation on one side that's worse than the other side alone help keep or make the other side inflammed? (Remember both sides have been inflammed; it's just the left has been worse the majority of the time)
Brief Answer:
Yes, your assumptions are correct.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, it is a good idea to do a limited one sided radio-frequency nasal turbinate ablation given this additional history. This time around, also add surface application and chanelling with the radio-frequency probes.
2. The ideal balance of turbinate resistance is essential to normal breathing.
3. Yes, the better side is being taxed but what you are also facing a deranged nasal cycle.
4. You should try the hypertonic saline nasal washes.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Yes, your assumptions are correct.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, it is a good idea to do a limited one sided radio-frequency nasal turbinate ablation given this additional history. This time around, also add surface application and chanelling with the radio-frequency probes.
2. The ideal balance of turbinate resistance is essential to normal breathing.
3. Yes, the better side is being taxed but what you are also facing a deranged nasal cycle.
4. You should try the hypertonic saline nasal washes.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just to confirm -- So you agree that the better turbinate side may be irritated due to the worse turbinate side?
And can you explain what you mean by a deranged nasal cycle and how it
applies to me?
Last, I'm having the radio frequency somnoplasty procedure.
And can you explain what you mean by a deranged nasal cycle and how it
applies to me?
Last, I'm having the radio frequency somnoplasty procedure.
Brief Answer:
Yes. Normal nasal cycle becomes erratic. Which type of Somnoplasty?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, exerting one nostril will cause irritation and dryness from increased duration of air flow.
2. The nasal turbinates congest and decongest every 4-7 hours alternately blocking off one nostril (exact reasons are not known). This goes largely in-noticed in a normal person. In patients with symptoms such as yours, the nasal cycle becomes erratic.
3. A lot depends upon which tissues are being treated by radio-frequency somnoplasty: the nasal turbinates, soft palate, tongue or throat. Kindly ask your doctor bout which type of somnoplasty is being planned.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards
Yes. Normal nasal cycle becomes erratic. Which type of Somnoplasty?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, exerting one nostril will cause irritation and dryness from increased duration of air flow.
2. The nasal turbinates congest and decongest every 4-7 hours alternately blocking off one nostril (exact reasons are not known). This goes largely in-noticed in a normal person. In patients with symptoms such as yours, the nasal cycle becomes erratic.
3. A lot depends upon which tissues are being treated by radio-frequency somnoplasty: the nasal turbinates, soft palate, tongue or throat. Kindly ask your doctor bout which type of somnoplasty is being planned.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The somnoplasty procedure will be on the left inferior turbinate.
To be conservative, he will do just 1/2 puncture, though I may ask
if he might do one full puncture.
I had the same procedures 4 years ago. I want to do the minimum that can have the most benefit.
To be conservative, he will do just 1/2 puncture, though I may ask
if he might do one full puncture.
I had the same procedures 4 years ago. I want to do the minimum that can have the most benefit.
Brief Answer:
Radiofrequency turbinate reduction has good results.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. If only one puncture is being planned, go for a full puncture at the anterior end of the nasal turbinate.
2. Reduction of this area results in opening the internal nasal valve.
3. Try surface application this time, in addition.
4. Remember that it takes 4-6 weeks for recovery.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Radiofrequency turbinate reduction has good results.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. If only one puncture is being planned, go for a full puncture at the anterior end of the nasal turbinate.
2. Reduction of this area results in opening the internal nasal valve.
3. Try surface application this time, in addition.
4. Remember that it takes 4-6 weeks for recovery.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
What is surface application?
What is surface application?
Brief Answer:
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The insertion probe can be applied on the surface of the turbinate in linear parallel lines.
2. This helps in reducing the allergic memory of the mucosa lining the turbinates, though post procedure crusting may be more for a few days.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The insertion probe can be applied on the surface of the turbinate in linear parallel lines.
2. This helps in reducing the allergic memory of the mucosa lining the turbinates, though post procedure crusting may be more for a few days.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I wanted to ask you one more detailed, important question, so I paid the additional fee to do so. Please closely review and assess the below.
As noted, I'm planning to have the radio frequency on the left side of the nose -- not the right side.
As also noted the left side tends to be worse the majority of the time -- I'd estimate 60 percent of the time.
Also there's less room on the left side of my nose due to a moderate deviated septum. One of my doctors did show me through the endoscopy camera that the left side was more narrow, with less room.
Nevertheless, about 40 percent of the time, I do breathe better on that more narrow left side than I do on the right -- which leaves me confused during those times, wondering if I'm correct to put the focus on the left.
I've done the Afrin test on both sides -- meaning that when I spray Afrin I do breathe better.
Do you think I'm correct to do this procedure first on the left side even though there are periods where I breathe better on that side?
As noted, my doctor wants to be conservative on how much we remove, as I've had multiple procedures in the past, though my last somonplasty was 4 years ago.
As noted, I'm planning to have the radio frequency on the left side of the nose -- not the right side.
As also noted the left side tends to be worse the majority of the time -- I'd estimate 60 percent of the time.
Also there's less room on the left side of my nose due to a moderate deviated septum. One of my doctors did show me through the endoscopy camera that the left side was more narrow, with less room.
Nevertheless, about 40 percent of the time, I do breathe better on that more narrow left side than I do on the right -- which leaves me confused during those times, wondering if I'm correct to put the focus on the left.
I've done the Afrin test on both sides -- meaning that when I spray Afrin I do breathe better.
Do you think I'm correct to do this procedure first on the left side even though there are periods where I breathe better on that side?
As noted, my doctor wants to be conservative on how much we remove, as I've had multiple procedures in the past, though my last somonplasty was 4 years ago.
Brief Answer:
Yes. Your assumptions are correct.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The DNS ( Deviated Nasal Septum) causes hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates on the other (concave) side. This blocks the other nostril (right side in your case). The nasal turbinates on the side of the DNS, the convex side ( left side in your case) try to shrink to allow more air flow on the narrower side.
2. This being a primitive reflex and not entirely under the control of thd body, both sides usually end up congested or blocked. The turbinates also contain bone which cannot shrink.
3. It is difficult to justify operating the DNS at this age. Radiofrequency turbinate reduction gives a similar effect as operating the septum and the use of decongestant drops/spray.
4. I usually get a plain Sinus CT Scan done pre and post use of the nasal spray / drops to confirm the problem areas/blocks.
5. Hence your assumptions are correct.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Yes. Your assumptions are correct.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The DNS ( Deviated Nasal Septum) causes hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates on the other (concave) side. This blocks the other nostril (right side in your case). The nasal turbinates on the side of the DNS, the convex side ( left side in your case) try to shrink to allow more air flow on the narrower side.
2. This being a primitive reflex and not entirely under the control of thd body, both sides usually end up congested or blocked. The turbinates also contain bone which cannot shrink.
3. It is difficult to justify operating the DNS at this age. Radiofrequency turbinate reduction gives a similar effect as operating the septum and the use of decongestant drops/spray.
4. I usually get a plain Sinus CT Scan done pre and post use of the nasal spray / drops to confirm the problem areas/blocks.
5. Hence your assumptions are correct.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much.
Brief Answer:
Thank You.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
Wishing you good health,
Regards.
Thank You.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
Wishing you good health,
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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