HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)turbinatesCan smoking cause irritation, inflammation, and swelling of the turbinate and nasal mucosa?

Can smoking cause turbinate swelling and sinus issues?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At December 30, 2021
Reviewed AtAugust 29, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My left nasal turbinate is red and inflamed. It is hurting, and sometimes even the right nasal turbinate is also inflamed and hurting, but it is usually on the left side. I could feel popping and clicking sounds in sinuses, the pressure inside my nose, brain fog, difficulty in remembering, issues in vision, feeling wobbly, balance is off when getting up or walking, pressure around eyes and forehead, and pain in the bridge of the nose, tiredness, pain in teeth, coughing, sneezing, itching. I do not have a fever or anything, so it is not an infection. I read that smoking can cause irritation, swelling, inflammation of the turbinates and nasal mucosa. This can cause a blockage in the sinuses that causes chronic sinusitis. I noticed that when I smoke, the turbinate swells, and I have pain with certain cigarette brands. Could this be because of allergies, infection, smoking? I know that you might strongly suggest quitting, but I am addicted to smoking. Kindly help me to figure out the issue.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for the briefing regarding the problem in concern. The most common reason for your symptom is severe allergic rhinitis associated with sinusitis. You will find some answers to the questions that you have asked in the explanation below. However, I have separately answered your questions as well. I know this has been frustrating, but I suggest you read each and everything mentioned to understand the basis of the problem clearly. Exposure to dust or any irritative substance that your body is hypersensitive to will initially initiate reflexes such as sneezing to remove the offending agent out. If this fails, mucosal cells in your nose start to hyperfunction producing loads of mucus to trap the dust. This mucus has to be blown out of the nose or pushed into the throat to get clear respiration. The throat initially reacts by activating cough impulses to push out the mucus. Still, if that fails, a local inflammation around the throat starts, which often leads to symptoms such as the feeling of a lump in the throat and repeated feeling to clear the throat. Chronic prolonged inflammation around the nose leads to involvement of the eustachian tubes. Inflammed tubes do not function well, leading to a negative pressure in the ear, causing ringing sensations, muffled noise, and decreased hearing. A prolonged standing inflammation in the nose also blocks the sinuses' outflow tract, leading to secretions getting collected, which then get infected and cause pressure around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks. I know the problem has been there for a long time, but I am not sure if you have followed any specific treatment chart which is usually recommended. This treatment chart is custom-made according to your symptoms and follows the guidelines to treat allergic sinusitis. The following things can be considered. 1) Kindly wear an n95 mask at all times to block any dust or allergic substance from entering your nose. 2) Tablet Sinarest (Chlorpheniramine maleate, Paracetamol, Phenylephrine) one tab two times a day after food for 15 days. 3) Tablet Allegra (Fexofenadine) one tab two times a day after food for 15 days. 4) Tablet Zerodol-P 4 mg (Aceclofenac and Paracetamol) two times a day after food for five days. 5) Tablet Clarithromycin 500 mg two times a day after food for 15 days. 6) Duonase nasal spray (Fluticasone propionate and Azelastine) two puffs two times a day in both nostrils for three months. 7) Tablet Mucomix 600 mg (Acetylcysteine) two times a day after food for one week. 8) Tablet Wysolone 10 mg (Prednisolone) once daily after food for one week. 9) Steam inhalations three to four times a day. 10) Saltwater gargles 8 to 10 times a day for one month. 11) Do not smoke or consume alcohol as it slows down the mucociliary clearance mechanism. Warm regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thanks for the reply. I cannot take all the medications mentioned above as I was looking for a natural product. Will Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose help for my nasal issues? I read that it creates a natural barrier layer in the nose that blocks the irritants and allergens. I am not too fond of Duonase as it makes my heart beat fast and gives me dizziness. And will Benadryl or something like that will work as an antihistamine? Kindly give your opinion.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Please understand that no matter however natural or unnatural a product you use, the effectiveness is the matter. The disease has to be treated from the root level, and unless and until that is done, any agent in the market is just pure waste of money and time. Yes, you can go for the product that you have mentioned. In addition, I would suggest you start saline nasal douching with Budesonide. This has got tremendously good effects but will work best when preventive measures are kept in mind. An N95 is a good option and can give you protection up to 70 to 80 % if worn correctly. And steam inhalations are also a good option as they can also provide good decongestant effects but lasts for a very brief period. Warm regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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