Causes of nasal obstruction - enlarged inferior turbinates

Large, swollen inferior turbinates also can cause nasal blockage. There are various reasons for enlargement:
   

Most of the time, enlarged inferior turbinates are the result of allergies, irritating environmental exposure (such as cigarette or cigar smoke), or some minor, persistent inflammation within the sinuses. In addition, the aging process can cause the turbinates to thicken gradually, which narrows your nasal air passages.

Congenital deviations in anatomy, which can include a deviated septum, are also a cause of enlarged inferior turbinates. Turbinates tend to be smaller on the side of the septal deviation and larger on the side opposite from the deviation.

This makes sense when you understand that the body often tries to compensate for anatomic differences. When your septum deviates into one side of your nasal cavity, it takes up more space and your body adjusts by making the turbinates smaller on that side.

In the other half of your nasal cavity, there is more available space and thus the turbinates there are larger. The septal deviation, enlarged turbinate, or both may contribute to an obstructed nose.

Hormonal changes involving the female hormone progesterone can contribute to nasal congestion and enlarged turbinates in women. These can include hormonal changes related to pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, hormone-based birth control methods, etc. If there are no other obvious causes for your nasal congestion, switching to an alternate form of contraception may alleviate the problem.

In the case of allergy- or irritant-related enlargement, medical treatment of the underlying cause may reduce turbinate swelling and solve the problem. Long-term, chronic swelling can become irreversible and unresponsive to medical therapy. If so, turbinate reduction surgery and, possibly, a septoplasty may be required.

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