The nasal turbinates are long, thin tubes that assist in warming and moistening the air that enters the nose. The nasal conchae are another name for turbinates and can obstruct airflow if they are overly big. Turbinate hypertrophy is the medical term for this condition.Turbinate hypertrophy is most often caused by enlargement of the inferior turbinates. Turbinate hypertrophy can be treated with both over-the-counter medications and surgical treatment. Turbinate hypertrophy makes breathing via your nose more difficult. Patients will have persistent nasal blockage, nasal discharge, mouth breathing and snoring, altered sleep and occasional headaches. Turbinate hypertrophy is also associated with a disease known as septal deviation. Symptoms are similar in both diseases. When the line of cartilage between the nostrils is not straight, airflow is obstructed by a septal deviation. While most people do not have a completely straight nasal septum, a severely deviated or crooked septum can block the airway and cause you to feel as if you are unable to breathe.