Runny nose is one of the most unpleasant phenomena that every person has encountered. Many believe that this disease should not be given much attention. But, as practice shows, without timely treatment, a runny nose can go into the chronic stage and provoke serious complications, one of which is subatrophic rhinitis.
Definition
Subatrophic rhinitis (ICD code 10 J31.0) is one of the most common diseases that are referred to an otolaryngologist. Pathology occurs if cellular nutrition is disturbed in the nasal mucosa. Subatrophic rhinitis is manifested by excessive dryness in the nose and the formation of crusts, which in advanced cases, when removed, can provoke bleeding. A disease without timely treatment can lead to complications.
A photo of subatrophic rhinitis is presented below.
Classification
Subatrophic rhinitis can occur in the following forms:
- Dry. It is characterized by a feeling of dryness not only in the nose, but also in the nasopharynx.
- Front. When you inhale, there is a feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the nose.
- Acute. It develops against the background of other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Medication is required.
- Chronic. It is a neglected stage of acute form. Some cells may be replaced by connective tissue.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of the development of subatrophic rhinitis are quite common and can be both external and internal. Consider the most common of them:
- Low humidity in the room in which the patient works or lives.
- Being in dusty rooms.
- Violations of safety rules in hazardous industries.
- Accommodation near industrial facilities.
- Long stays in areas with a dry, hot climate.
- Smoking, including passive.
- Injuries to the nose.
- Long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs.
- Anemia.
- Plastic surgery and other surgical interventions.
- Avitaminosis.
- Hormonal disruptions.
- Viral infections.
- Bacterial infections.
- Sometimes the development of pathology can provoke diseases of the central nervous system.
- Allergic reactions.
- Decreased immunity.
- Immunodeficiency conditions.
With prolonged exposure to provoking factors and the absence of adequate treatment, chronic subatrophic rhinitis (ICD 10 J31.0) may develop.
Clinical picture
Symptoms of subatrophic rhinitis are in many ways similar to the manifestations of a common cold, but they have some features. Let's consider them in more detail:
- First of all, there is a feeling of discomfort in the nose.
- Burning or tingling in the nasal passages.
- The formation of crusts in the nose.
- Drying of the nasal mucosa.
- Violations of smell.
- Frequent sneezing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- The presence of viscous, difficult to separate mucus.
- Sometimes nosebleeds may occur when crusts are damaged.
Symptoms may also appear, such as:
- Headache.
- Muscle weakness.
- Snore.
- Loss of appetite.
- General malaise.
At elevated temperatures, as well as with hypothermia, the symptoms may intensify.
ICD 10 has assigned code J31.0 to subatrophic rhinitis. Its difference from other types of the common cold is the lack of copious discharge from the nasal passages.
Diagnostics
Establishing an accurate diagnosis will identify the cause of rhinitis and prescribe the most effective treatment. The following measures are used as diagnostic measures:
- History taking. Often it is enough to identify a provoking factor.
- Blood and urine tests.
- Anterior and posterior rhinoscopy of the nose. An examination is carried out by an ENT doctor using a frontal reflector and special mirrors that allow you to expand the sinuses.
- Endoscopy of the nasal sinuses.
- Flushing from the nasal mucosa. When carrying out this procedure with the help of microscopic examination, the cellular composition of the mucus can be detected. With subatrophic rhinitis, a predominance of neutrophils, eosinophils and dead epithelial cells is revealed. With the advanced stage of the disease and the addition of pathogenic flora, using this diagnostic method, it is possible to identify the pathogen.
Sometimes the following procedures are used as additional measures:
- Back sowing mucus in the presence of purulent secretion (to determine sensitivity to antibiotics).
- Blood chemistry.
- X-ray of the nasal cavity, if the disease is accompanied by complications and there is a risk of involvement of neighboring organs in the pathological process.
- Tomography.
- Rhinopneumometry.
Treatment
The treatment plan for subatrophic rhinitis is prescribed by the doctor individually after receiving the results of all prescribed tests. First of all, therapy is aimed at restoring the nasal mucosa and eliminating the provoking factor. For the best effect, complex treatment is prescribed, which includes not only medications, but also general strengthening procedures. In some cases, surgery may be indicated. With subatrophic rhinitis, symptoms and treatment will be interconnected. Let's consider in more detail.
Conservative treatment
Drug therapy includes the following categories of drugs:
- Immunomodulators.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes, including iodine, iron, magnesium and calcium, which restore blood circulation and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Applied courses with a short break.
- Saline solutions for cleansing the nose of crusts and mucus. Rinsing must be done every 2 hours. The procedure prevents stagnant processes and prevents the spread of infections. Such drugs as Aqualor, No-salt and others can be used.
- Drops: Otrivin, Nazivin.
- Ointments and creams to moisturize the nasal mucosa. You can use "Oxolinic ointment", rosehip oil or sea buckthorn. They not only soften the mucous membrane, but also participate in tissue regeneration, nourish and protect against the influence of pathogenic bacteria. You can also use iodine-glycerin or furatsilinovoy ointment, "Pinosol" and "Vinylin".
- Metabolic drugs. For example, Cocarboxylase.
- If the bacteriosis revealed the presence of pathogenic flora, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
- Antioxidants. This category of drugs improves the condition of the walls of blood vessels, have a positive effect both on the tissues of the nasal cavity, as well as on the whole organism.
In addition to the above, it is very important to comply with the following recommendations:
- Perform breathing exercises.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat properly.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Use protective equipment in hazardous industries.
- Do sport.
- Exclusion of allergens.
- The predominance of protein foods in the diet.
- Timely treatment for the common cold.
The following procedures may also be prescribed:
- Inhalation.
- Mud therapy.
- Irrigation with alkaline solutions.
- Thermal compresses.
- Inductothermy.
- Reflexology. For example, mustard plasters on the calf muscles.
Surgical treatment
In especially advanced cases or in the absence of the effect of conservative therapy, a situation may occur in which the sinuses reach maximum expansion. This provokes a pathological change in bone tissue. In this case, surgical intervention is required, during which implants are inserted into the patient's sinuses. This will allow the sinuses to regain their normal size.
Folk recipes
Recipes of traditional medicine have proven themselves as an adjuvant in the treatment of subatrophic rhinitis. Healing plants can be used in the form of infusions, decoctions, inhalations. Consider the most common of them:
- Aloe. The juice of the plant is instilled into the nasal passages. It can be used even in the chronic stage of the disease.
- Propolis. Helps to restore breathing, relieves inflammation and improves liquefaction and secretion of mucus. For this, an aqueous solution of propolis is mixed with corn oil in a 1: 1 ratio and the nasal passages are instilled.
- Beetroot juice. They drip their nose twice a day, 5 drops.
- Apricot kernel oil and peach. Before use, they need to be heated to 40 ° C.
- Infusion of plantain and St. John's wort. They are advised to instill a nose in 3 drops several times a day.
- A decoction of echinacea, which is recommended to use 2 times a day to strengthen immunity.
Nasal lavage with a solution of sea salt has also proven itself well.
If after using oil or ointment a strong burning sensation in the nose or sneezing begins, then this treatment is unlikely to bring any result. It is recommended to consult a doctor for advice.
It is important to remember that the use of traditional medicine should be under the supervision of a doctor and in the absence of allergies. Herbs are selected strictly on an individual basis.
To avoid the transition of the disease into chronic subatrophic rhinitis, such treatment should be used in combination with other methods.
Complications
Despite the fact that subatrophic rhinitis is not considered a dangerous pathology, without proper treatment and exclusion of a provoking factor, a complication such as thinning of the nasal mucosa can develop. At the same time, the inflammatory process can affect deeper tissues, including bone. This forms a favorable environment for the life of pathogenic microorganisms, which provokes the development of a secondary disease that can affect the respiratory tract, and in some cases lead to pneumonia. Atrophic changes in the nasopharynx are also possible.
The presence of pathogenic flora can lead to the development of otitis media, sinusitis or sinusitis. This is due to the fact that the thinned nasal mucosa with subatrophic rhinitis is not able to create a barrier to pathogenic bacteria.
Prevention
In order to reduce the risk of subatrophic rhinitis, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Systematically take a course of vitamin therapy.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Exercise moderate exercise.
- Observe the daily routine.
- Eat properly.
- Use protection in hazardous industries.
- If necessary, humidify indoor air.
- Regularly ventilate the apartment and carry out wet cleaning.
- Promptly and completely treat a runny nose.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- To treat diseases, preventing their transition to the chronic stage.
- Do not self-medicate and follow all the recommendations of your doctor.
Forecast and Conclusion
With timely treatment of subatrophic rhinitis, the prognosis in most cases is positive. Properly selected therapy will allow for a short time to cure this disease and restore the nasal mucosa to normal. But it is worth remembering that ignoring the signs that may arise can lead to rather serious complications and provoke the development of a secondary infection and serious diseases. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe an effective therapy that allows you to quickly get rid of the disease.