What are the harms of turbinate atrophy?

Generally, the adverse effects of turbinate atrophy may include impaired respiration, hearing problems, and reduced sense of smell. Specific details are as follows:

1. Impaired Respiration

After the turbinates atrophy, nasal cavity narrowing is highly likely to occur, which can affect respiratory function, leading to breathing difficulties or respiratory disorders such as sleep apnea syndrome.

2. Hearing Problems

During the course of the disease, the opening of the eustachian tube may be compressed, causing positional changes and excessive negative pressure in the middle ear, thereby affecting hearing.

3. Reduced Sense of Smell

Nasal atrophy may also reduce the mucosal surface area within the nasal cavity, preventing odor molecules from adequately contacting olfactory receptor cells, thus impairing olfactory perception.

In addition, individuals with more severe symptoms may also experience other adverse symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and headache.