Name of the Condition

• Hypertrophy of Nasal Turbinates
• Also known as enlarged nasal turbinates.

Summary

• Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates refers to the chronic enlargement of the turbinates, which are structures inside the nose that help filter and humidify the air we breathe. This condition can lead to nasal obstruction and breathing difficulties.

Causes

• It can be caused by chronic inflammation due to allergies, infections, or irritants such as smoke. Other potential causes include structural abnormalities or compensatory changes due to a deviated septum.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors include having a history of allergies, exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke, chronic sinusitis, and anatomical predispositions such as a deviated septum.

Symptoms

• Some common symptoms include nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring, and a reduced sense of smell.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination by an ENT specialist, who may use a nasal endoscopy. Imaging studies like a CT scan or MRI can help assess the extent of the hypertrophy.

Treatment Options

• Treatment options include medications such as nasal corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antihistamines for allergies, and decongestants. Severe cases may require surgical interventions like turbinate reduction or radiofrequency ablation to decrease the size of the turbinates.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• With proper treatment, symptoms can be significantly alleviated. Follow-up is important to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and to adjust them as necessary, especially in cases with underlying allergic causes.

Complications

• If left untreated, hypertrophy of nasal turbinates can lead to chronic sinusitis, sleep disturbances like apnea, and mouth-breathing related issues.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Preventive measures include avoiding allergens and irritants, maintaining good nasal hygiene, and using a humidifier to keep the nasal passages moist. Managing allergies with appropriate medications can also reduce risk.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Seek medical attention if nasal obstruction persists, breathing through the nose becomes difficult, or if there are frequent sinus infections despite treatment.

Additional Resources

• American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org)
• Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (www.aafa.org)

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure accurate documentation of the condition's symptoms and treatments to select ICD code J34.3.
• Be cautious not to confuse this with nasal polyposis or septal deviation, which have different codes.