Breathe easier by reducing swollen nasal turbinates that block airflow and cause chronic congestion. Turbinate reduction gently shrinks these tissues to open your nasal passages, helping treat nasal obstruction, stuffiness, and breathing problems. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our ENTs offer minimally invasive treatments to help you achieve lasting relief.
Reduce Congestion to Help You Breathe Easier
Turbinate reduction is a treatment that improves nasal breathing by reducing the size of enlarged turbinates in your nose. Turbinates are soft tissue structures that warm, filter, and moisten the air you breathe, but when they become swollen, they can block airflow and cause constant congestion. During turbinate reduction, controlled energy or surgical techniques are used to shrink the tissue, opening the nasal passages while preserving nasal function.
What Does Turbinate Reduction Treat?
Turbinate reduction treats nasal breathing problems caused by enlarged or swollen turbinates. When these tissues become chronically inflamed due to allergies, irritation, or structural issues, they can narrow the nasal airway, making it difficult to breathe comfortably through your nose. Over time, this constant blockage can affect sleep, exercise tolerance, and daily quality of life.
A turbinate reduction can help with symptoms such as:
- Chronic nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Ongoing nasal obstruction on one or both sides
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Mouth breathing, especially at night
- Nasal blockage that doesn’t improve with sprays
Benefits of Turbinate Reduction
By reducing the size of swollen turbinates, this treatment can improve how air moves through your nose and how you feel daily.
Many patients notice meaningful improvements, such as:
- Easier nasal breathing
- Reduced chronic congestion and stuffiness
- Less reliance on nasal sprays or medications
- Improved sleep quality and reduced snoring
- Better airflow during exercise and daily activities
Your Turbinate Reduction Experience
Your experience begins with a thorough, unhurried consultation. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our ENTs take time to listen to your symptoms, examine your nasal anatomy, and understand how breathing issues affect your life. Using in-office evaluation tools, we assess whether enlarged turbinates are contributing to your congestion. From there, your treatment plan is tailored to you to help preserve or restore normal nasal function.
Turbinate Outfracture, Coblation, and Radiofrequency Reduction
These minimally invasive treatments are often performed right in the office using local anesthesia. During the procedure, your ENT carefully applies controlled energy to the soft tissue of the turbinates. This energy creates gentle, targeted changes that cause the tissue to shrink over time, improving airflow without removing bone or healthy tissue. In some cases, turbinate outfracture is also performed to reposition the turbinate and further open the nasal airway.
Surgical Turbinate Reduction
If your turbinates are significantly enlarged or other approaches aren’t appropriate, surgical turbinate reduction may be needed. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort. During surgery, your ENT reduces the size of the turbinates by removing a small portion of underlying bone and excess tissue while preserving their function. Advanced instruments may be used to further open the nasal airway and preserve the results.
Turbinate Reduction FAQs
Is Turbinate Reduction Painful?
Most patients tolerate turbinate reduction very well. In-office procedures are performed using local anesthesia to ensure comfort. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort, followed by temporary congestion or soreness afterward, which typically improves within a few days.
How Long Does It Take to Notice Results?
Some patients notice improved breathing within days, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as swelling decreases and healing occurs. Your ENT will explain the expected timeline based on the technique used.
Will Turbinate Reduction Change How My Nose Works?
The goal of turbinate reduction is to preserve normal nasal function while improving airflow. Your turbinates continue to warm, filter, and humidify the air you breathe, just with less obstruction.
How Long Do the Results Last?
The results are often long-lasting, especially when underlying triggers like allergies are well managed. In some cases, turbinates can swell again, but many patients enjoy sustained relief.
Why Choose Surgical Associates Northwest?
Surgical Associates Northwest is a trusted ENT practice that has been caring for our community for more than 40 years. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our ENTs focus on thoughtful, patient-centered care, taking time to listen, clearly explain your options, and tailor treatment to your specific needs. You’re never rushed, and your comfort always comes first. If nasal congestion is affecting your quality of life, schedule a consultation for turbinate reduction today.
