Cough

Treatment of acute rhinitis in adults. Chronic rhinitis symptoms and treatment in adults at home

Rhinitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. Often it is a symptom for the treatment of the underlying disease, less often it occurs as an independent pathology.

The nasal mucosa is an important part of local immunity, responsible for eliminating all pathogenic factors that seek to penetrate the body with inhaled air. Any disturbances in this process caused by its damage lead to numerous disorders throughout the human body.

Rhinitis is a pathological condition of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by two processes: swelling and excess mucus production. The predominance of one mechanism over another depends on the type of disease, the symptoms of which are different. Rhinitis in most cases is not a definitive diagnosis. This term indicates only the location of the pathological process, and not its cause. Therefore, treatment aimed only at eliminating a runny nose is symptomatic.

What is it?

Rhinitis is a syndrome of inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Infectious rhinitis is caused by various microbes and viruses; The development of rhinitis is promoted by hypothermia, severe dust and gas pollution. Rhinitis is often one of the manifestations of other diseases (for example, influenza, diphtheria, measles). Catarrhal rhinitis (accompanied by rhinorrhea, nasal mucus) is called “runny nose” in everyday life.

Causes

The causes of the disease include:

penetration of infection (viruses or bacteria) into the nasal mucosa;
congenital abnormalities of the structure of the nasal bones;
deviated nasal septum;
Kartagener's syndrome (stagnation of mucus in the nasal cavity as a result of improper functioning of the ciliated epithelium);
allergy;
use of drugs that increase blood pressure;
long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs;
adenoids;
polyps of the nasal mucosa;
foreign bodies entering the nose;
violation of nasal vascular tone;
thinning of the nasal mucosa as a result of the inflammatory process;
autoimmune diseases (systemic scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Wegener's granulomatosis).

The development of the disease is influenced by the following factors:

air pollution with toxic substances or dust that cause irritation of the mucous membrane;
active or passive smoking;
sudden changes in air temperature;
neoplasms in the nose;
working with chemicals.

Acute rhinitis

Acute rhinitis is infectious in nature, caused by viruses or bacteria. The likelihood of developing acute rhinitis increases with a decrease in the body's resistance as a result of hypothermia.

The disease occurs in three stages. Initially, a patient with rhinitis is bothered by itching and a feeling of tension in the nasal cavity. Sneezing and watery eyes appear. The first stage of acute rhinitis may be accompanied by headache, general malaise, and fever. Lasts from several hours to one or two days.

The second stage of the disease is accompanied by nasal congestion, difficulty in nasal breathing, copious watery discharge, nasal sound and decreased sense of smell. At the third stage of acute rhinitis, the discharge becomes thick, mucopurulent, its quantity decreases, while the patient is still bothered by nasal congestion.

Acute rhinitis lasts 7-10 days. As a rule, it ends in recovery. Sometimes it turns into chronic rhinitis. May be complicated by pharyngitis, laryngitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis, sinusitis, ethmoiditis), otitis media, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Treatment of acute rhinitis includes drug therapy, thermal and distraction procedures (mustard plasters on the calf area, ultraviolet irradiation of the soles, foot baths). To facilitate nasal breathing, local vasoconstrictors (naphazoline, xylometazoline, ephedrine) are prescribed. Antibiotics are indicated only for acute bacterial rhinitis. For viral rhinitis, antibacterial therapy is useless.

Chronic catarrhal rhinitis

It is characterized by a number of general manifestations: the main complaint is impaired nasal breathing with alternating blockage of one and then the other half of the nose.

Depending on the content of certain elements of the exudate, nasal discharge can be serous, mucous or mucopurulent. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis differs in its duration. Nasal congestion is more permanent than in the catarrhal form of rhinitis, and does not go away after instillation of vasoconstrictors.

In addition to difficulty breathing through the nose, patients are bothered by headaches and poor sleep. The nasal mucosa is usually pale pink, reddish or bluish. Abundant thick discharge fills the nasal passages and flows into the nasopharynx, but in rare cases there may be no discharge.

Vasomotor rhinitis

Vasomotor rhinitis develops in a number of diseases and conditions accompanied by impaired tone of the vascular wall (astheno-vegetative syndrome, hypotension, neurocirculatory dystonia, some endocrine diseases). Violation of the vascular tone of the nasal conchas causes alternating congestion of the nasal passages. A decrease in the sense of smell with vasomotor rhinitis, as a rule, does not develop.

The choice of treatment method depends on the underlying disease. Physiotherapy and hardening are ineffective for this form of rhinitis. Intranasal blockades, administration of glucocorticosteroids and sclerosing drugs are successfully used. Surgical treatment is possible (laser photodestruction, ultrasonic disintegration, galvanoacoustics, submucosal vasotomy).

Chronic atrophic rhinitis

With chronic atrophic rhinitis, patients complain of a feeling of dryness in the nose, crust formation, a feeling of pressure and headaches. Nasal discharge is thick, yellow-green; In some places it dries out and forms crusts. Increased patency of the nasal passages and purulent discharge in large quantities can cause the spread of a chronic inflammatory process to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and larynx.

Symptoms of rhinitis

The disease begins quickly. After a few days, so much fluid leaks from the nose that it is difficult to cope with the amount. The first symptoms of rhinitis can activate another ENT disease, acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), and also provoke the onset of allergic reactions in the body.

Symptoms of acute rhinitis in adults:

itching and dryness of the nasal mucosa;
sneezing;
tearfulness;
weakening of the sense of smell;
clear, watery discharge, often profuse;
nasal voice;
discharge is mucous and purulent in small quantities as the disease develops.

All this occurs as a result of irritation of reflexogenic areas of the mucous membrane. Swelling of the nasal cavity impairs the drainage of the paranasal sinuses and middle ear. This becomes a favorable environment for the activation of pathogenic flora, due to which bacterial complications develop

Depending on the type and stage of rhinitis, symptoms can vary from dry irritation in the nasal cavity to serous and mucopurulent discharge with bloody inclusions.

Stage 1	Signs of the first stage of nasal inflammation: Burning of the nasal cavity; Dry mucous membrane; Gradual increase in headache; Temperature rise above 37 degrees.
Stage 2	In the second stage of rhinitis the following appear: watery nasal discharge, difficulty in nasal breathing, nasal sound, mucous membrane is moist, swollen, in the nasal passages - serous-mucous discharge;
Stage 3	In the third stage, nasal breathing improves: nasal discharge becomes mucopurulent in nature, their number gradually decreases, the mucous membrane becomes less swollen, turns pale, Mucopurulent discharge is detected in the nasal passages.

After a few days, these symptoms gradually disappear and the inflammation gradually subsides.

The indicated symptoms and stages of the inflammatory process in acute rhinitis are classic and in most cases of rhinitis of a specific origin are the same.

In healthy people leading an active lifestyle, rhinitis can last literally 2-3 days. If the body’s immune defense is reduced, the pathology is much more complicated and is accompanied by severe manifestations of intoxication - fever, headaches. In this case, inflammation may persist for 3-4 weeks and even become chronic.

Symptoms of rhinitis in adults cannot be ignored, regardless of their nature. Even a slight runny nose, if not properly treated, can result in complications of rhinitis such as sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. What to do in case of illness should be decided by the doctor.

Complications

Complications of rhinitis very often include more serious infectious diseases. Thus, against the background of rhinitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia can occur. Sometimes chronic rhinitis turns into sinusitis.

Also, some forms of otitis, dacryocystitis, and dermatitis of the nasal vestibule can become a complication of rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis very often becomes a predisposing factor for the subsequent development of sinusitis, tonsillitis, chronic laryngitis and pharyngitis. Rhinitis in children provokes the same complications as in adult patients.

Treatment of rhinitis in adults

Many people believe that treatment for rhinitis is not necessary, because “it will go away on its own.” This is fundamentally wrong; therapeutic measures can speed up recovery and prevent complications.

Non-drug methods

Before buying nasal drops, you should try to change a few things in your everyday habits:

If your nose is stuffy and a severe runny nose prevents you from breathing normally, your head should be slightly higher than your body during sleep.
It is necessary to minimize the number of plush toys, carpets, upholstered furniture and books in the room, because dust accumulates in them.
Avoid household chemicals, air fresheners and paints and varnishes during illness, as these factors can aggravate the course of rhinitis.
Give up bad habits, such as tobacco addiction.
Humidify the air and regularly ventilate the room where the patient is.
Drink enough fluid to normalize the rheological properties of mucus in the nasal cavity.

Conservative methods

The choice of drugs for a runny nose depends on the type of rhinitis. Elimination of signs of pathology relates exclusively to symptomatic treatment that does not eliminate the root cause of the disease.

Any medications for the common cold used for therapeutic purposes must be discussed with your doctor. Inappropriate therapy causes complications of rhinitis.

Preparations for external use:

Vasoconstrictors. Eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane, reduce nasal congestion and restore nasal breathing, temporarily eliminating the signs of rhinitis. This group includes the drugs Naphthyzin, Galazolin, Xymelin and others. Indications: severe rhinitis, mixed rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. Vasoconstrictors must not be abused; they are used under medical supervision, for no longer than 7 days in adults and 3-5 days in children. Otherwise, a complication of the disease may occur - idiopathic rhinitis or another.
Moisturizing and softening. Mostly solutions based on sea water, for example, AquaMaris, Aqualor and others. They alleviate the condition of any type of rhinitis, including physiological runny nose. You can mix sea salt with boiled water yourself; a saline solution prepared by yourself is no less effective than store-bought products. Physiological runny nose in a child can be treated with rinsing with the permission of a doctor.
Antihistamines. Necessary for blocking the synthesis of specific antibodies that provoke the allergic form of rhinitis. These include the drugs Suprastin, Tavegil and others.
Antibacterial. Prescribed exclusively for bacterial rhinitis and its complications. Recently, drugs in the form of nasal drops or sprays (Polidex, Bioparox) have become popular.
Antiseptic. They are used to rinse the nasal cavity, cleansing it of pathogenic flora, mucus and pus. These may be the drugs Miramistin, Collargol, Furacilin.
Immunomodulatory. Prescribed mainly for viral forms of rhinitis for therapeutic and therapeutic-prophylactic purposes. Safe during pregnancy. This group includes the drugs Grippferon, Interferon and others.

What to do if chronic rhinitis worsens? With a prolonged runny nose, this situation is not uncommon; the tactics of action should be the same as for acute rhinitis: the use of vasoconstrictor drops, moisturizing saline solutions and drugs that have an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect (for example, Collargol).

Folk remedies

Due to concerns about possible side effects of medications, an increasing number of patients are turning to traditional medicine.

It is necessary to understand that traditional medicine methods can only alleviate the symptoms of rhinitis. Traditional methods are also ineffective for the chronic form of allergic rhinitis.

Basic methods:

Cleaning the sinuses with saline solutions. To prepare the solution, just add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water (~250 ml). The water should be slightly warm. You can use a douche or syringe to clean your nose.
Use of vegetable oils. For example, aloe oil reduces inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane.
Steam inhalation. You can use herbal ingredients.
Consuming honey. This product has a beneficial effect on the throat mucosa and reduces the risk of developing rhinitis complications.

Herbal components may interact with medications, so the use of traditional medicine should be discussed with your doctor in advance.

Surgical methods

Treatment with surgical interventions is carried out strictly for medical reasons for chronic rhinitis, if conservative methods are not effective enough. Surgery is possible only during remission of the disease.

Types of surgical intervention:

adenotomy;
tonsillectomy;
correction of a deviated nasal septum;
laser destruction;
radio wave coagulation of blood vessels;
vasotomy

Physiotherapeutic methods

Most often used to treat rhinitis:

inhalations using enzymes aimed at thinning nasal secretions and improving their outflow;
mucus suction;
Proetz rinse;
thermal physiotherapy;
ultraviolet irradiation of the nasal cavity with tube-quartz;
electrophoresis.

Physiotherapeutic methods are prescribed for prolonged runny nose or advanced rhinitis occurring against the background of complications.

Rhinitis during pregnancy

Rhinitis in pregnant women has recently begun to appear more and more often. This is explained by the fact that women’s immunity weakens slightly during this period and cannot as actively resist viruses and bacteria. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately go to the doctor and begin treatment.

There can be many reasons for the development of rhinitis in pregnant women, but clinicians especially highlight the following:

respiratory tract infections;
chronic diseases in the acute stage (sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis);
changes in hormonal levels.

Treatment of rhinitis during pregnancy is mainly carried out using traditional methods or using gentle medications (naphthyzin, galazolin, Nazivin, Fervex, Dlyanos, Sanarin). It is best to treat the disease under the supervision of a specialist.

Prevention

Prevention of inflammation of the nasal mucosa includes a whole range of measures aimed at eliminating the influence of harmful factors, hypothermia, and timely treatment of other acute infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Preventative measures include:

Periodic wet cleaning and ventilation of the room will prevent the entry and spread of infection.
Timely consultation with a doctor at the first signs of the disease will prevent the occurrence of possible complications, especially in infants.
Taking morning or evening sunbathing will strengthen the immune system, help in the formation of vitamin D and give a healthy glow to the child’s skin.
Preventing the occurrence of colds.
It is not recommended to suddenly move from a warm room to a cold one, not to be in drafts, and not to drink ice water or other soft drinks.
It is recommended to carry out hardening procedures. Pouring with cold water (start gradually, from using warm water to cool). Regular exercise.
Nutrition should be nutritious, high-calorie, and most importantly, follow the correct regimen. The diet should consist of the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high content of vitamin C (onions, cabbage, citrus fruits, currants). It is recommended to drink tea with raspberries, rosehip infusion, milk with honey.
Hygiene measures, such as washing your hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating, will help prevent infection from getting into the mouth or nose (by picking it with your finger), as often happens in young children.

Rhinitis is an infectious disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity in a person. In fact, rhinitis is the medical name for a runny nose.

All rhinitis occurs in two forms - acute And chronic . One of the most common ailments is acute rhinitis, which can manifest itself as an independent disease, or also occur as a condition accompanying other infectious diseases.

Causes of rhinitis

In medical practice, there are several types of rhinitis, which differ depending on the factors that provoke them.

At catarrhal rhinitis The patient has a constant catarrhal inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. This condition occurs as a consequence of the frequent development of respiratory viral infections, acute rhinitis, high bacterial contamination of the mucous membrane, and a general decrease in the body's defenses. In addition, catarrhal rhinitis can be a consequence of severe air pollution with dust or combustion products. This form of rhinitis is also caused by tobacco smoke.

Atrophic rhinitis occurs in a person as a consequence of a deficiency in his body minerals , vitamins . This disease often affects people who work where there is exposure to harmful factors, such as dust, heat, dry air. Sometimes atrophic rhinitis occurs due to the presence of a genetic predisposition to this disease. Also, this form of rhinitis sometimes appears after radical surgery has been performed on various structures of the nose.

Development vasomotor rhinitis associated with vascular disorders, often occurs in patients who suffer from neuro-circulatory , hypotension , at astheno-vegetative syndrome, as well as due to certain endocrine diseases. Vasomotor rhinitis manifests itself as a consequence of the process of swelling of the tissues of the nasal concha. This phenomenon occurs due to impaired vascular tone in general, as well as impaired vascular tone of the nasal mucosa. This form of rhinitis develops due to changes in the excitability of parts of the autonomic nervous system. This phenomenon causes an inadequate response of the nasal mucosa even to ordinary physiological irritation. Changes in the structure of the epithelial layer occur, and the absorption capacity of the mucous membrane decreases.

Symptoms of rhinitis

It is customary to subdivide several stages of the acute form of the disease, at which different symptoms of acute rhinitis appear. On the first dry stage Disease symptoms of rhinitis are manifested by characteristic dryness and a feeling of tension in the nose. Gradually, the patient's mucous membrane swells and appears.

On the second, wet stage the feeling of nasal congestion becomes more intense, the person practically cannot breathe through the nose, and strong mucous discharge appears.

Third stage - suppuration – typically manifested by a decrease in swelling of the nasal mucosa. At the same time, it becomes easier for the patient to breathe through the nose, and the discharge from the mucous membranes gradually turns into mucopurulent. Initially, such discharge is still abundant, but gradually its quantity decreases. After 7-10 days of illness, recovery occurs.

The symptoms of chronic rhinitis are somewhat different from the manifestations described above. Chronic rhinitis of different types is characterized by some common symptoms. First of all, this is noticeably difficult breathing through the nose, a deterioration in the sense of smell, and constant nasal discharge. In addition, a patient with chronic rhinitis is often bothered by a burning and itching sensation in the nose, headaches, and dryness in the nasal cavity. A person may also notice a constant state of fatigue. Crusts may appear in the nose, sometimes small nasal infections may occur, and very thick mucus may accumulate in the nasopharynx, and sometimes an unpleasant odor is felt. With chronic rhinitis, the skin on the wings of the nose is also irritated; irritation can also affect the upper lip. The person's sleep gradually deteriorates, he constantly snores.

Symptoms of rhinitis differ depending on what type of disease the patient has developed. With catarrhal rhinitis, all the main symptoms are expressed moderately. The allergic form of rhinitis is characterized by constant tickling and itching in the nasal cavity. In this case, the person sneezes very often, he experiences increased lacrimation, the skin on the nose and under it turns red due to the constant secretion of watery fluid.

Vasomotor rhinitis is manifested by alternating congestion: as a rule, one or the other half of the nose is congested. Sometimes congestion appears in the patient only in a supine position. In addition, the patient may feel a general weakening of the body, loss of appetite, and sleep is difficult due to nasal congestion.

Sometimes the consequence of prolonged disruption of breathing through the nose ultimately becomes worsening ventilation of the lungs and blood flow is disrupted. As a result, nervous system disorders become more pronounced.

With atrophic rhinitis, a lot of dry crusts appear in the nose, and as a result of their falling off, the mucous membrane is sometimes injured. Sometimes the patient feels the appearance of an unpleasant odor, but those around him do not feel it. Nosebleeds, which may occur periodically, generally go away on their own; sometimes it is necessary to insert a cotton ball soaked into the nose. Vaseline .

Diagnosis of rhinitis

It is easy to determine the development of rhinitis, guided by the presence of the described symptoms. But during the diagnostic process, the presence of specific rhinitis, which manifests itself as a symptom of certain infectious diseases, should be excluded - measles , , , . Rhinitis can also occur when , , other diseases that are sexually transmitted.

If allergic rhinitis is suspected, it is important to conduct an allergy examination. To do this, skin tests are taken from , and special tests are also carried out.

Vasomotor rhinitis is diagnosed by studying the medical history, as well as examining blood that is isolated from the nasal cavity.

To accurately determine the form of rhinitis, it is used rhinoscopy - examination of ENT organs. If there is a suspicion of complications, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray examination of the lungs, paranasal sinuses, and middle ear. In addition, it is possible to schedule an examination and consultation with other specialists - an allergist, a pulmonologist, an ophthalmologist. It is also sometimes advisable to conduct an instrumental examination of the pharynx, ear, and larynx.

Treatment of rhinitis

Treatment of rhinitis, which occurs as a symptom of an infectious disease, should be carried out with bed rest. It is especially important to adhere to this regime for people whose body temperature increases greatly. If the body temperature exceeds 39 °C in acute conditions, then hot foot baths recommended for rhinitis, which are indicated for low-grade fever, should be abandoned. Such baths facilitate nasal breathing and significantly improve the protective function of the nasal mucosa.

To treat rhinitis, patients are prescribed nasal drops with a vasoconstrictor effect. These are solutions etc. After the effect of such a drug occurs, it is advisable to inject 2% into the nose , which acts as a disinfectant and astringent. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe antibacterial medications. Most often, such drugs are used in the form of sprays.

When treating rhinitis, you should definitely take into account the fact that too long use of vasoconstrictors may ultimately have some unpleasant side effects. Swelling of the nasal mucosa and allergic reactions may occur. During treatment, be sure to regularly clear mucus from your nose. The process of blowing your nose must occur correctly, since incorrect actions can provoke the development of some complications. Nasal mucus should be blown out by opening your mouth, but no significant effort is required. You need to blow your nose, covering your nostrils one at a time. If dry crusts have formed in the nose, they must first be softened with boiled vegetable oil or Vaseline. After this, the crusts are carefully removed and the nasal mucus is blown out.

During the treatment of rhinitis, it is very important to drink warm liquid regularly. In this case, milk and tea with honey are suitable. If the patient suffers from a temperature exceeding 38 °C, then he is recommended to take medications with antipyretic effects. However, in some cases, such drugs can provoke the development of complications and reduce the level of resistance of the human body to attacks of infections.

It is important for a patient with rhinitis to eat well, including foods high in vitamins .

Treatment of chronic rhinitis differs depending on its type. Patients with catarrhal rhinitis are often prescribed drugs similar to those used in the treatment of acute rhinitis. To treat catarrhal rhinitis, it is important to initially get rid of those factors that influence the process of its development. In addition to treatment with antibacterial local drugs, a number of physiotherapeutic procedures prescribed by the doctor also effectively affect the patient’s condition. If treatment is ineffective, cauterization of the mucous membrane or cryodestruction is sometimes used.

For the treatment of atrophic rhinitis, the use of ointments and drops that have a softening and disinfectant effect is prescribed. To treat rhinitis of this form, oil solutions of vitamins A and E are also used for instillation into the nose. Rosehip oil gives a good effect. Alkaline-oil inhalations are also prescribed.

To treat allergic rhinitis, it is important to first eliminate the influence of the factor that provokes the allergic reaction. Sometimes it is enough to avoid close contact with pets, avoid passive smoking, and constantly wet clean rooms. It is also important to regulate your own diet, eliminating possible allergens from your diet. Medications should also be prescribed very carefully.

Antihistamines, which have both local and general effects, are primarily used as medications used to treat allergic rhinitis. They block histamine receptors in the nasal mucosa, which allows you to stop the sneezing process, eliminate itching and the appearance of nasal discharge. But the condition of nasal congestion does not disappear. Consequently, vasoconstrictor drugs are also used for treatment. However, they are not recommended to be used for more than ten days. When treating with antihistamines, it is important to consider that side effects may include severe drowsiness and weakness. Coordination may be impaired and periodic symptoms may occur. It is important that antihistamines are selected by the attending physician, prescribing them depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis should primarily be aimed at reducing the reactivity of the nervous system. Therefore, it is very important to use regular procedures to harden the body and use medications used to stimulate the body’s defenses. Sometimes it is recommended for the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis And laser therapy . If there is no effect from all the described treatment methods, the doctor may prescribe cauterization of the inferior turbinates with trichloroacetic acid, a cryodestruction procedure, and sometimes surgery. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out septoplasty – surgery to correct a deviated nasal septum.

Doctors

Medicines

dacryocystitis , dermatitis vestibule of the nose . Vasomotor rhinitis very often becomes a predisposing factor for the subsequent development , , chronic laryngitis And pharyngitis . Rhinitis in children provokes the same complications as in adult patients.

Diet, nutrition for rhinitis

List of sources

Piskunov G.Z., Piskunov S.Z. Clinical rhinology. M., 2002;
Lopatin A.S. Rhinitis. M.: Litterra, 2010;
Babiyak V.I., Nakatis JA. Occupational diseases of the upper respiratory tract and ear: a guide for doctors. Ed. V.I. Babiyaka, Ya.A. Nakatisa. St. Petersburg: Hippocrates, 2009;
Gushchin I.S. and others. Allergic rhinitis: A manual for doctors. M., 2002.

Nasal congestion, poor sense of smell, sneezing and a constant runny nose indicate the development of rhinitis. The disease has several types that differ from each other. For treatment, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the disease. Untimely therapy causes deterioration of the condition and transition of the pathology to a chronic form.

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity caused by infection, allergens or long-term illness. The most striking symptoms are nasal congestion caused by swelling of the mucous membrane, burning and the desire to sneeze, as well as the discharge of fluid from the sinuses. Not completely capable of causing complications in the form of serious pathologies, for example, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media and even pneumonia.

Experts distinguish 5 types of the disease, they are divided into acute and atrophic forms. Self-medication is highly undesirable. Sometimes the signs of rhinitis disappear for a while, but sooner or later return.

Acute rhinitis

An infectious disease (flu, colds, measles, scarlet fever) is almost always accompanied by rhinitis. It may appear a few hours after hypothermia, and a little later other symptoms of the disease appear. You should be careful: acute rhinitis has three stages, you can start therapy already at the first - this will significantly shorten the course of treatment. This form develops in the following order:

The appearance of unpleasant sensations. The patient feels severe discomfort in the nose (itching, burning, dryness), accompanied by frequent sneezing and tearing. The duration of the phase is no more than two days.
Nasal congestion and runny nose. Unpleasant signs are replaced by severe congestion and discharge of clear or cloudy liquid from the nasal cavities. A person complains of a lack of smell, fatigue and pain in the head.
Mucopurulent runny nose. In the final phase, most symptoms go away, but copious discharge of thick fluid and difficulty breathing remain.

Recovery occurs within 10 days, and if you take action, it will be faster.

Attention! People with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing otitis media, pneumonia, sinusitis, or bronchitis. If the condition worsens, it is necessary to stop self-medication and immediately consult a doctor.

This type is divided into catarrhal and hypertrophic subtypes. The causes are different, as are the symptoms. With catarrhal rhinitis, inflammation of the entire mucous membrane occurs, so severe nasal congestion, loss of the ability to distinguish odors and secretion of fluid are disturbing. If you lie on your side, there is a temporary improvement, but when you change position, the situation immediately worsens. The hypertrophic subtype is characterized by the proliferation of the epithelium, which is easily determined using vasoconstrictor nasal drops. For example, when using such drugs at the time of exacerbation of catarrhal rhinitis, a decrease in swelling and a return to breathing are felt. The appearance of growths in the nasal cavity negatively affects the entire body. There is a dry throat, pain in the forehead, and a change in voice.

The atrophic appearance develops against the background of chronic runny nose in people who do not treat the disease or do it incorrectly. A person is worried about constant congestion, the discharge of thick mucus and the formation of crusts. During the development of pathology, a process of atrophy is observed, the mucous membrane gradually becomes thinner and ceases to perform its function. Using rhinoscopy, it is possible to examine the damaged nasal cavity: the membrane is pale and dry, blood vessels are visible through it. Sometimes yellow or green crusts form in the nose, and bleeding occurs when removed. Atrophic rhinitis has a separate form - ozena. It is characterized by a large accumulation of dense, dark-colored crusts on the mucous membrane and an unpleasant odor that is noticeable to others.

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Vasomotor rhinitis

It is considered the simplest type, but causes severe discomfort in the patient. The disease manifests itself periodically, the reason for this is impaired vascular function. They can expand after contact with allergens, viruses, severe stress, and polluted air. Due to poor breathing, headaches, fatigue, and dry throat occur. Diseases of the skin and respiratory system are often accompanied by vasomotor rhinitis.

In simple words, we can say that an allergic type is a runny nose caused by an allergen. After contact with the irritant, inflammation of the mucous membrane begins, resulting in nasal congestion and dry throat. The patient suffers from a dry cough and lacrimation. Pathology is often diagnosed in both small children and adults. has 3 types:

easy– the sick person practically does not notice the illness, a runny nose appears rarely and goes away quickly;
average– allergies appear more often, sleep patterns are disrupted due to poor nasal breathing and activity decreases during the daytime;
heavy– symptoms accompany the patient constantly, the discharge of mucus is abundant and continuous.

A runny nose can often be noticed in the spring - this is an allergy to pollen or dust. The chronic form does not recede even for a day and accompanies a person throughout the year (the irritant is the fur of a pet, medicine, cosmetics, household chemicals or food). The intermittent type is characterized by acute attacks, the duration of which is 4 days a week, lasting no more than one month.

Causes

Before treating rhinitis, it is imperative to find out the cause of the problem. Without this, therapy will be useless, the disease will return after some time. The main cause of the development of pathology is considered to be various infections - ARVI, influenza, diphtheria, measles and many others. The following factors cause deterioration:

decreased protective function of the body;
hypothermia;
contact with an allergen;
exposure of mucous membranes to toxic substances;
nasal injuries;
impaired blood circulation;
using nasal drops with a vasoconstrictor or vasodilator effect without medical supervision;
mechanical damage to the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity and infection;
diseases of the oropharynx that cause inflammation in the nasal sinuses.

It happens that it is difficult to identify on your own the true cause of poor health. Some changes in the nose cannot be noticed without examination under special equipment, so it is strongly recommended to visit a doctor.

Attention! Rhinitis can appear due to a foreign object in the nasal cavity, which can only be detected using rhinoscopy or x-ray. A similar problem occurs in young children; extraction cannot be done at home.

Depending on the type and severity of the disease, signs may vary slightly. You need to pay attention to burning, dryness and leakage of clear liquid in a large volume. With ARVI, a runny nose appears at the beginning of the disease and goes away on its own if the immune system is strong.

The sick person experiences severe dryness in the nose and tickling, which causes frequent bouts of sneezing. The inflammatory process in the mucous membranes often affects the nasolacrimal ducts, which causes watery eyes. At the peak of the disease, it is easy to notice the lack of smell and a nasal voice. Mild rhinitis is characterized by the discharge of clear fluid; as it develops, it becomes cloudy or greenish.

Treatment of rhinitis in adults

If the type and severity of rhinitis allow, then the patient is prescribed drug therapy. Drops, ointments and inhalations are used, and massages can also be performed to improve the condition. In case of advanced disease, attention should be paid to surgical treatment. First you need to find out how to do it correctly so as not to cause deterioration.

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How to treat with medications?

If rhinitis is the result of an infection, then it must be treated first. The action of many drugs for the common cold is aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms. You need to remember simple rules that will help you get rid of the disease faster:

You cannot use nasal drops for more than 7-10 days, as any product has side effects. These include the body’s addiction to the components of the drug and disruption of the natural microflora of the nasal cavity.
It is better to choose natural preparations based on essential oils and natural ingredients. They relieve inflammation, destroy microbes and soothe the mucous membranes, without having negative consequences. Before instilling the drug, it is necessary to rinse the cavities.

Often surgical methods are required only when hypertrophic or. They are carried out for medical reasons in cases where conservative treatment does not bring the desired result or growths block the passage by more than half. Possible use:

adenotomy– surgery to get rid of the overgrown tissue of the pharyngeal tonsil, blocking the respiratory passages;
tonsillectomy– removal of palatine tonsils, which cause viral diseases and lead to inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
surgery to correct nasal septum– one of the common problems, a congenital or acquired problem that interferes with normal breathing;
laser destruction– the safest method of eliminating growths by evaporating the mucous secretion in the affected area;
radio wave coagulation of blood vessels– insertion of a special device with an electrode into the nasal passages to reduce overgrown tissue;
vasotomy– dissection of vascular connections near the mucous membrane in order to reduce growths.

Laser and radio waves are considered to be more effective and safe methods for treating mucous membranes. The procedures take about 10 minutes and are performed under local anesthesia. During the session, the patient does not experience pain, only a slight tingling sensation. The rehabilitation period takes several days, and there is no swelling or bleeding. You can evaluate the final result in 7-10 days.

Rinsing the nasal cavities

Cleansing the nose with various solutions brings good results with regular use. It is permissible to use soda, sea salt, herbal infusions and pharmaceutical preparations. It is easy to prepare the product from salt, soda and water, the recipe is very simple. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm liquid.

Chamomile decoction has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect and is useful for all types of rhinitis. The product can be drunk as tea, gargled and washed out the nose. A small amount of dry plant is poured with boiling water, cooled and used for washing.

To carry out the procedure, take a small medical bulb, fill it with a solution and insert it into the nasal passage. Next, you need to squeeze out the liquid so that it flows into one nostril and flows out of the other. During rinsing, unpleasant sensations arise because the mucous membranes are inflamed. Repeat 3-4 times a day for 7 days. What else is used to treat rhinitis besides chamomile? It is possible to use sage, linden and eucalyptus.

You can cleanse the nasal cavities with products from the pharmacy - Aqua Maris, Aqualor, AquaMaster and Dolphin. All medications are available in a convenient form, with which you can rinse your nose without any problems. The cavity should be treated several times a day before using drops or ointment.

Such means are used much more often than others and bring quick results. However, many are created to relieve symptoms of the disease, and not to treat pathology. There are such groups of nasal drops as:

Vasoconstrictors. Popular remedies that relieve swelling are Naphthyzin and Xymelin. Do not use for more than 7 days, otherwise the condition will worsen.
To moisturize the mucous membrane. The drugs soften the crusts and moisturize the surface, which improves nasal breathing. It is recommended to use Aqua Maris, Tizin or Pinosol.
Antihistamines. Aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms after contact with an allergen. Allergodil, Tizin Alergy and Fenistil are the most effective. It can be used both before and during a seasonal exacerbation.
Antibacterial. Polydex or Bioparox must be used for bacterial infections. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the form and the patient’s condition and is adjusted by a specialist.
Immunomodulatory. Interferon-based products are used and are recommended to increase local immunity.

It is difficult to choose drops for treatment without a doctor’s prescription. They may not only not help, but also cause worsening.

Ointments

Medicines in the form of ointments and creams have a better effect than drops. They are gradually absorbed into the tissue, removing swelling and moisturizing the mucous membrane. They have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The most useful are such products as Oxolinic and Tetracycline ointment, Evamenol, Levomekol, Thuja and Fleming ointment. Before the first application, it is recommended to do an allergy test by smearing a small area of skin. If there is no irritation, then it can be used to treat the nasal mucosa.

Steam inhalations relieve swelling, moisturize the passages and make breathing easier. To carry out the procedure at home, you need a nebulizer or steam inhaler. Medicines, herbal infusions and essential oils are used. Among the available remedies, we can recommend baking soda, chamomile, eucalyptus oil, and mint. In addition, hot potatoes, over which you should breathe for 5 minutes, have a beneficial effect.

The procedure cannot be done at fever or immediately after eating. Inhalations should be deep but slow so as not to cause dizziness. After inhalation, you should not go out into the cold air, eat, drink or smoke.

Massage

Impact on certain points helps strengthen the nasopharyngeal muscle, reduce the risk of complications and reduce chronic runny nose. There are 5 places that need to be massaged: near the wings of the nose and a little higher by 1 cm, between the eyebrows, next to the auricle and the outer corners of the eyes.

The massage consists of gentle pressure on acupressure points for several minutes. It is necessary to simultaneously massage symmetrical points, movements should be light and smooth. The duration of massage for one area is at least 2 minutes.

Sometimes warming ointments are applied to the skin to enhance the effect. After the procedure, it is recommended to drink hot tea or herbal infusion.

Folk remedies

Sometimes it is impossible to use medications, but what can you do then? In this case, proven traditional medicine recipes will come to the rescue. They are easy to prepare from available ingredients and are safe.

The first remedy is melt water, which has healing effects. It should be at a comfortable temperature so as not to cause discomfort. Washing is carried out several times a day, the result is noticeable immediately.

Warming the nose during rhinitis has a positive result if the disease has not reached a severe stage. Heat the salt in a frying pan, pour it into small bags and apply it to the sinus area for a few minutes. You can use boiled eggs after cooling them a little.

If there is no temperature, it is allowed to steam and warm up the feet. The most effective way to use mustard plasters is to apply the bags to the soles, put on socks and wrap your feet in a blanket. It is recommended to keep them for 1 to 3 hours; it is not advisable to leave them overnight.

Kalanchoe or aloe juice will help clear the nasal cavity of mucus and improve breathing. Juices are diluted with water in equal proportions. You need to instill 3 drops into each passage 2-3 times a day for a week. Homemade drops will cause a strong attack of sneezing, due to which the cavity is cleared.

Folk remedies are safe if there is no allergy to the components. They are best used as an addition to the main treatment. If the condition worsens, you must stop using the prepared medicine and seek qualified help.

Ignoring the disease seriously undermines human health. Pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis or sinusitis often develop against the background of rhinitis. Inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity negatively affect the organs of hearing and vision, as a result, you may notice the appearance of signs of otitis media or dacryocystitis. Advanced forms of rhinitis cause sinusitis and sore throat.

Patients with weakened immune systems develop dangerous pathologies - pneumonia and pneumonia. Constant nasal congestion and impaired breathing negatively affect the circulatory system.

Preventive measures

It will be possible to reduce the risk of recurrent rhinitis by devoting time to prevention and strengthening the body. It is necessary to exclude all factors that provoke the disease. Exercising, proper nutrition, and regular wet cleaning of the room have a positive effect on both the healing process and future life.

Rhinitis is a common disease that responds well to treatment. However, some people do not consider the pathology to be serious, so they refuse treatment. The disease gradually progresses and causes complications. You can get rid of the problem with the help of medications or modern painless methods.

Many people often experience difficulty breathing, the main cause of which is rhinitis, but not many people know this. This disease occurs as a result of penetration of a viral and bacterial infection into the mucous membrane of the nasal passages.

The disease manifests itself as nasal congestion, discharge of mucous secretions from the nasopharynx, burning, deterioration of smell, and is a companion to infectious diseases such as ARVI, diphtheria, measles and scarlet fever.

Causes of the disease

The main causes of rhinitis in medicine are divided into local and general.

Local etiology of the disease:

General etiology of the disease:

Cysts, nasal polyps;
Vegetovascular dystonia;
Mechanical burn of the nasal mucosa;
Harmful working conditions;
Long-term residence in places with poor ecology;
Endocrine diseases;
Circulatory disorders (local or generalized);
Heart defects, myocarditis;
Diseases of the kidneys, liver, lungs;
Other diseases of the sinuses and oropharynx (sinusitis, sinusitis, adenoiditis, frontal sinusitis, etc.);
Allergic reactions of the body (sensitization in the form of a reaction to the penetration of vapors, gases, animal hair, pollen, cold allergies);
General reaction of the body to foods and medications.

Symptoms of rhinitis

Symptoms and treatment of the disease in adults depend on the type and stage of the disease.

The main symptoms of acute rhinitis are:

The symptoms of this disease should be alarming, since rhinitis that is not completely cured can lead to complications such as otitis media, sinusitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

If treatment is not effective, the acute form of rhinitis can become chronic, which will lead to serious pathologies in the respiratory system, as well as changes in the lungs.

Stages of acute rhinitis

The disease has three stages. Initially, a patient with rhinitis is bothered by a feeling of tension and itching in the nasal cavity.

Watery eyes and sneezing appear, followed by other symptoms:

Most often, acute rhinitis lasts no more than 10 days and ends with recovery.

Chronic form of rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis has many varieties. With this form of the disease, drowsiness, fatigue, severe headache, decreased quality of sleep, often accompanied by snoring, are often observed.

Chronic rhinitis is divided into types:

An increase in temperature in all chronic forms of rhinitis occurs infrequently, but there may be a deterioration in general health, which is manifested by the following signs:

Decreased sensitivity to odors;
Loss of appetite;
Sleep disturbance;
Decreased performance.

When treating a chronic runny nose, as well as an acute form of the disease, you should contact an otolaryngologist and, after appropriate diagnosis and diagnosis, begin complex therapy.

Measles runny nose with rhinitis

Measles runny nose usually occurs in infants. This inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa develops when an allergy occurs and is characterized by lacrimation, intense sneezing, and active secretion of mucus.

The child’s general condition is disturbed, body temperature rises, swelling of the membrane appears, and a pinpoint rash localized to the lips and inner surface of the cheeks. The activity of the inflammatory process can be determined by excessive secretion of mucous secretion.

Diagnostics

Rhinitis can be recognized based on the symptoms listed by the patient, however, in each individual case it is necessary to differentiate them from rhinitis, which are symptoms of an infectious disease, since each of them has its own etiology and clinical picture.

A comprehensive examination of the ENT organs (examination of the nasal cavity - rhinoscopy) will accurately help determine the form of rhinitis. If there is a suspicion of the development of any complications, an additional X-ray examination of the middle ear, paranasal sinuses, lungs, consultation with a pulmonologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist, ophthalmologist, as well as an instrumental examination of the pharynx, larynx and ear are prescribed.

Treatment of rhinitis

Treatment of a disease such as rhinitis requires complex therapy, and an otolaryngologist knows how and how to treat it. Treatment of the disease includes drug therapy, as well as thermal and distraction procedures (UV irradiation of the soles, mustard plasters on the calf area, foot baths).

In order to ease nasal breathing and other symptoms of the disease, the specialist prescribes local vasoconstrictors (xylometazoline, ephedrine, naphazoline).

Antibiotics are indicated only if a diagnosis of acute bacterial rhinitis is made. For rhinitis of viral etiology, therapy with antibacterial drugs is absolutely useless.

In most cases, rhinitis occurs without complications and is treated at home.

For stages 2 and 3 of acute rhinitis, the doctor prescribes antiseptics and antibiotics:

Amoxicillin – 3 times a day (500 mg tablets);
Bioparox is an aerosol for inhalation every 3 hours.

Symptoms of rhinitis are eliminated with the help of effective drops:

Xylometazoline (0.05% solution) – 2 times a day;
Naphthyzin – vasoconstrictor drops (0.05% solution) after 4-6 hours;
Sinupret is a combination remedy.

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa can be treated with auxiliary folk remedies. To do this, it is recommended to take rosehip infusion, warm tea with raspberries and milk with honey.

Also, to prevent a runny nose, you need to avoid hypothermia and avoid drinking cold water. It is recommended to take effective preventive measures and strengthen the immune system.