Rhinitis is an inflammatory reaction of the nasal mucosa. Medicine divides rhinitis into acute and chronic chronic, which alternates with periods of exacerbation and lull of the disease.
Causes of Rhinitis
In the cold season, often after hypothermia, colds develop, such as acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, etc. Rhinitis often accompanies such diseases. Symptoms of it at the beginning of the disease come to the fore.
A runny nose can also occur with prolonged exposure to any chemical irritants. Almost always, both nasal passages are involved in the pathological process.
Acute rhinitis, symptoms of the disease
Typically, such a runny nose, as mentioned above, appears against a background of hypothermia. The patient complains of a slight malaise, a sore throat and nose may appear, a burning sensation and itching. The nasal passages are often blocked, the nasal mucosa is hyperemic and swollen. A little later, the mucous discharge appears, and with the aggravation of inflammation, it can become mucopurulent. The nasopharynx, sometimes the sinuses, is almost always involved in the inflammatory process. An untreated acute form of the disease can turn into chronic rhinitis. Symptoms of the disease with adequate treatment go away after about seven to ten days.
In the treatment of rhinitis, vasoconstrictor drugs are used, which are instilled with nasal congestion several times a day. These drugs are prescribed for a period of three to five days.
Rinse the nasal passages well with saline solutions. This procedure not only destroys pathogenic bacteria, but also moisturizes the nasal mucosa well. Salt water irrigation can be done every hour until the symptoms begin to disappear.
Chronic rhinitis, symptoms of the disease
Chronic runny nose occurs
- due to long and protracted acute rhinitis,
- due to inadequate therapy,
- with prolonged exposure to a variety of stimuli,
- in the presence of chronic sinusitis or diseases of other body systems (endocrine, vascular).
In chronic rhinitis, the general condition of the patient does not change. The nose is often blocked, nasal breathing is difficult, the sense of smell is reduced. Due to oral breathing, the mucous membrane of the mouth is overdried. Nasal congestion during sleep depends on the position of the body: when lying on the right side, the right half of the nose is blocked, and the left nasal passage is on the left side. The constant use of vasoconstrictor drops causes temporary relief, but can lead to mucosal atrophy. If, after instillation of drugs, the swelling of the mucosa does not subside, they speak of hypertrophic rhinitis.
Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis, symptoms of the disease
The cause of this common cold is contact with the allergen. Allergens can be pollen, dust, chemicals, household chemicals, and more. other
Symptoms of the disease are the appearance of a sudden runny nose with copious discharge of a mucous character and nasal congestion. With allergies to pollen , seasonal dependence is characteristic. A reaction can also occur to cold exposure or pungent odors. In this case, they talk about the neuro-reflex mechanism of rhinitis. Inflammatory changes in the nasal mucosa are not observed.
With the vasomotor rhinitis mechanism, the following therapeutic measures are carried out: strengthening the body, hardening and symptomatic therapy. An allergic rhinitis needs the appointment of antihistamines, and sometimes hormonal drugs. It is important to stop contact with the allergen. A good therapeutic effect is observed when physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are used: ultraviolet radiation, exposure to ultrasound, cryotherapy.