Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa - one of the most common diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In fact, rhinitis is a runny nose, which is the body's natural response to infection. At first glance, the disease is very harmless and easy to treat. However, the usual, it would seem, runny nose can be a harbinger of bronchial asthma, sinusitis, frontitis, ethmoiditis and other, no less serious complications.
In this publication you will find all the necessary information about rhinitis (symptoms and treatment in adults, features of the treatment of childhood rhinitis and prevention).
Why does a runny nose appear?
Runny nose is the body's response to any stimuli. When viruses, pathogenic bacteria, and chemical dust get on the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity, rhinitis occurs. The causes of this ailment can also be a general decrease in immunity or hypothermia of the body.
In general, several factors can be identified that provoke inflammation of the nasal mucosa:
- viral infection;
- getting into the nasal cavity of pathogenic bacteria;
- decreased local immunity;
- hypothermia of the body, which creates favorable conditions for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms in the nasal cavity;
- allergic reaction;
- hit on the mucous membrane of harmful substances and particles (chemical or metal dust, contaminated steam or gas);
- prolonged exposure to dry, hot air;
- violation of blood microcirculation in the nasal mucosa;
- prolonged use of vasoconstrictor or vasodilator drugs of local action.
What is the common cold?
Depending on the duration and nature of the disease, there are 2 forms of rhinitis: acute and chronic.
An acute runny nose occurs as a reaction to hypothermia or a virus entering the body. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, pathological discharge of mucus from the nose stops for 3-4 days. However, with an unfavorable combination of circumstances, the disease can turn into a chronic form.
Depending on the nature of the causative agents of the disease, 2 types of acute rhinitis are distinguished:
Next, we will talk in detail about acute rhinitis (symptoms and treatment in adults and children will also be discussed in the review).
Infectious runny nose: how to recognize?
In most cases, a runny nose occurs due to the entry of viruses on the surface of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity or a general decrease in immunity. Acute rhinitis is always bilateral, i.e., both nasal passages become inflamed.
The course of the disease is characterized by 3 stages:
- Dry stage. At this stage, pathological dryness, a feeling of itching and burning in the nasal cavity are noted. The patient is concerned about nasal congestion and frequent headaches. Perhaps a slight increase in body temperature.
- Wet stage. At the next stage, there is a violation of nasal breathing caused by copious mucous secretions. Runny nose may be accompanied by sneezing, tearing. Such symptoms are observed in the patient within 3-5 days.
- Mucopurulent. The third stage is characterized by the cessation of virus reproduction and a gradual decrease in mucopurulent discharge.
What to do if stuffy nose, how to treat a runny nose? Read about it later.
Features of the treatment of infectious rhinitis
Depending on the age and individual characteristics of the patient, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive or antiseptic agents. Consider the features of the treatment of rhinitis at different stages of the disease.
When the first symptoms of a cold or a viral infection appear, the so-called "distraction therapy" is recommended. If there is no high temperature, the patient is prescribed hot foot baths in combination with a plentiful drink. For the treatment of the common cold in the first stage of the disease, vasoconstrictive and general strengthening drugs of local action are prescribed.
If the patient increases the number of mucous-serous secretions, then this indicates the progression of the inflammatory process. In this regard, the use of antibiotics begins. In the second stage, therapy with vasoconstrictive and local antiseptic drugs is also required.
Rhinitis treatment should be supervised by a physician or pediatrician. Only a doctor can prescribe drugs for the treatment of this disease on the basis of an anamnesis and examination results of the patient.
Next, we consider topical preparations (drops, solutions and sprays) that can be prescribed for the treatment of the common cold in adults.
Acute rhinitis: treatment, topical preparations
- "Naphthyzine" is a vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory solution of local action. It is used for colds, sinusitis, sinusitis.
- "Galazolin" - vasoconstrictor drops in the nose. Relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and reduce the number of mucous secretions. "Galazolin" is used for acute rhinitis, otitis media and sinusitis.
- "Ephedrine hydrochloride" is a vasoconstrictor solution. It is used to eliminate inflammatory processes and relieve swelling of the mucosa with rhinitis.
- "Sanorin" - an emulsion to reduce swelling and the amount of mucous secretions in rhinitis. The active substance of the drug is naphthyzin.
- "Farmazolin" - vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory nasal drops. It is used for rhinitis of infectious and allergic origin, with sinusitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
- "Otrivin" - vasoconstrictor nasal drops (spray). They are used to relieve swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses. The main active ingredient of the drug is xylometazoline.
- "Leconil" - a vasoconstrictor nasal spray. The active substance of the drug is oxymetazoline.
How to cure acute rhinitis in a child?
What to do if a child has a stuffy nose? How to treat rhinitis in children? Parents can get answers to all these questions only from the pediatrician. It is important to remember that the development of rhinitis in newborns and infants has its own characteristics. In children under 2 years of age, the nasal passages are very narrow, so even a slight swelling of the mucous membrane leads to respiratory failure. If the first symptoms of a viral infection or a cold appear in children, parents should immediately contact a pediatrician who will prescribe the correct therapy. Self-medication and the use of folk remedies to eliminate the common cold without consulting a doctor can lead to serious complications.
For the treatment of rhinitis in children, vasoconstrictor drugs of local action are prescribed. There are children's forms of all popular nasal preparations, which are characterized by a lower content of active substance. To alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose, children are prescribed Naphthyzin, Otrivin, Brizolin in the form of drops or spray.
Why does chronic rhinitis occur?
Chronic runny nose is a fairly common problem that people of all age groups face. Among the reasons contributing to the development and progression of this disease, the following can be distinguished:
- prolonged regular exposure to the mucous membranes of the nose of harmful fumes, chemical dust, mechanical particles;
- congenital or acquired as a result of trauma pathologies of the anatomical structure of the nasal cavity (for example, curvature of the septum);
- diseases of the paranasal sinuses;
- allergies
- domestic or surgical injuries in the nasal cavity.
There are several types of chronic runny nose. Each of them is characterized by a special course and symptoms.
Next, we will talk in detail about chronic rhinitis (symptoms and treatment in adults of various forms of the common cold).
Catarrhal rhinitis
The catarrhal form of rhinitis occurs and develops against the background of infectious diseases, chronic diseases of the ENT organs and a general decrease in immunity. In addition, such an ailment is often the result of inadequate treatment of the common cold.
Catarrhal rhinitis is accompanied by recurrent nasal congestion. The patient is concerned about itching and unpleasant burning sensation, possibly a feeling of mucus running off along the walls of the nasopharynx, decreased sense of smell, and difficulty breathing.
Rhinitis disease is accompanied by edema of the paranasal sinuses, which is clearly visible on the radiograph.
Therapy of catarrhal colds is aimed at elucidating and eliminating the factors that provoke its development. One of the most effective ways to treat this form of chronic rhinitis is through physiotherapy. Patients are shown UHF (ultra-high-frequency therapy), sollux (use of visible and infrared rays), laser therapy, thermal installations of vasoconstrictor solutions.
Hypertrophic rhinitis
The hypertrophic form of the course of the disease is accompanied by hyperplasia - an increase and proliferation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and submucosal layer. A small part of the tissue or the entire surface of the nasal sinuses may be involved in this pathological process. Such a defect leads to difficulty breathing and impaired sense of smell. In most cases, there is a narrowing of the lacrimal and nasal canals as a result of their compression. Hypertrophic rhinitis is accompanied by increased tearing, conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac). The patient is disturbed by mucopurulent discharge. Conservative methods of treatment help to get rid of a runny nose for a while, but long-term improvement does not occur. With hyperplasia, cauterization with chemicals and physiotherapy are used (including UHF therapy and ultraviolet radiation). With strong growth and damage to the mucous membranes, minimally invasive surgeries are effective. If bone tissue is involved in the affected area, then radical treatment methods are used.
Another form of rhinitis is atrophic. Unlike hypertrophic, it is characterized by thinning of the mucous membrane. You will find the most necessary information about atrophic rhinitis (symptoms and treatment in adults) below.
Atrophic rhinitis
The disease in this case is accompanied by a thinning of the mucous membrane in the respiratory cavity. Such a pathology leads to the expansion and enlargement of the nasal passages. With atrophic rhinitis of the patient, mucous discharge of a yellow-green hue, a feeling of dryness, itching and burning in the nose are worried . A characteristic feature of this disease is the formation of crusts. They are dried clots of mucus that can block the nasal passages and make breathing difficult. When removing the crusts, slight bleeding may occur.
Treatment of atrophic rhinitis includes the use of topical preparations that improve the condition of the mucous membrane, and fortifying fortified therapy.
Purulent form of the disease
Purulent rhinitis develops against the background of a bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. In most cases, this disease is the result of improper and untimely treatment of a cold or an infectious cold. With this form of rhinitis, the patient suffers from purulent discharge. This symptom may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the nose and mouth, headache and toothache, fever, and a decrease in smell. For the treatment of the disease, antibiotics, antihistamines and vasoconstrictors are used.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis in adults is a reaction of the body to any irritants (dust, pollen, domestic animals). Such a runny nose can appear from time to time (seasonally) or year-round. The main symptom of the disease is transparent mucous discharge - in this case it is accompanied by itching, tearing, headache.
Vasomotor rhinitis
The disease occurs due to the expansion of blood vessels. Such a pathology can be triggered by various factors: hormonal disruptions, stress, exposure to negative environmental factors, bad habits. Chronic runny nose often worries people suffering from endocrine diseases, hypertension, and nervous system disorders. Vasomotor rhinitis is always accompanied by 3 symptoms: mucous discharge from the nose, shortness of breath and attacks of sneezing.