Almost everyone knows what a runny nose is. This condition accompanies viral diseases, colds, allergic reactions. Most people know how to quickly cope with a runny nose, so it usually does not last longer than 5-7 days. But sometimes this condition accompanies a person longer. Some people notice that they have a runny nose. What to do in this case, not everyone knows. Usually familiar folk methods for chronic rhinitis do not work. But if you approach the solution of the problem comprehensively, especially under the guidance of a doctor, you can still get rid of it.
General Description of the Problem
A runny nose in medicine is called rhinitis. This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which occurs for various reasons. Most often, under the influence of external factors, for example, hypothermia, infection, dry air or dust. But often rhinitis is a symptom of an allergic reaction. Usually this pathology disappears within a week. But sometimes there is such a thing as a constant runny nose. What to do in this case, many do not know. They continue to use regular drops to treat the common cold. But more often this only makes it worse.
Permanent runny nose or chronic rhinitis is characterized by discharge from the nose or nasal congestion, which lasts a long time. This should not be, therefore, pathology requires immediate medical attention and treatment. Difficulty breathing and swelling of the mucosa leads to headaches, as the flow of oxygen to the tissues decreases. There is also a decrease in the sense of smell in a sick person, discomfort in the ears, and hearing impairment is possible. His sleep is disturbed, his voice may change. With the allergic origin of rhinitis, dry mucous membrane, itching, burning, frequent sneezing occurs.
Reasons for the common cold in an adult
Unlike acute rhinitis, chronic appears due to the expansion of the vessels of the mucosa. Most often this occurs as a complication of acute respiratory diseases. Incorrect treatment or non-compliance with the recommendations of a doctor can lead to such complications. Many people suffer a cold on their feet, believing that a runny nose is not dangerous and should not go to the doctor. But often the consequence of this attitude is chronic rhinitis. In addition, nasal congestion due to narrowing of the vessels of the mucous membrane can appear with various endocrine pathologies, disruption of the cardiovascular or nervous systems. But this can happen even in a healthy person.
If you go to the doctor, he will help to understand why a runny nose constantly occurs in each case. There are several causes of chronic rhinitis:
- hit in the nose of a foreign body;
- congenital or acquired abnormalities of the nasal septum;
- trauma or surgery;
- too dry indoor air;
- exposure to chemicals;
- improper use of folk methods from a cold;
- allergic reaction to dust, animals, medicines;
- abuse of vasoconstrictive drops in the nose.
The latter reason is one of the most common. Many people, wanting to quickly get rid of the common cold, use such drugs, not observing the dosage and duration of treatment. Usually such drugs are addictive. As a result, a condition called medical rhinitis develops.
Chronic rhinitis in children
Many parents are concerned about the problem that the child has a constant runny nose. What to do, only a doctor can decide. After all, this pathology has many reasons, and the methods of treatment depend on what causes the common cold. There are several causes of chronic rhinitis in a child:
- congenital curvature of the nasal septum;
- consequences of nose injuries;
- getting into the nasal passages of foreign bodies;
- the presence of polyps, adenoids, or chronic diseases of the nasopharynx;
- an allergic reaction to dust, tobacco smoke or food;
- decrease in the protective forces of the nasopharynx during teething;
- improper use of drops in the nose.
The causes and treatment of a constant cold in a child are closely related. Therefore, it is not recommended that the child drip drops at his discretion. After all, depending on why rhinitis appeared, different drugs are prescribed. In addition, the doctor will advise what other measures to take to alleviate the condition of the child. It is usually recommended to moisten the air in the room, often rinse the baby's nasal passages with special saline solutions, give him more to drink. The use of a nebulizer is very effective in such cases. But the medicine can be used by the child only as prescribed by the doctor.
Nasal congestion
Many people notice that they constantly stuff their nose without a cold. What to do in such cases, some try to decide on their own. To do this, they use vasoconstrictor drops. But this approach is not always effective. If breathing through the nose is difficult, and there is no discharge that is normal with a cold, this condition is usually associated with swelling of the mucosa or vasodilation. At the same time, normal breathing by blowing your nose does not work. This brings serious discomfort to the patient.
Violation of the functions of the nasal mucosa can occur due to the constant exposure to the respiratory tract of allergens, dry air or chemicals. In addition, a complication of an infectious disease or an allergy can be a cause of nasal congestion. But often also a similar condition is a consequence of prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops. Moreover, nasal congestion can be constant, lasting for several months. In addition, many people have their nose blocked only at night or in the morning.
Why is this condition dangerous?
The nasal sinuses of a person are used to clean, disinfect and warm the air entering them. If they are inflamed, or the nose is constantly blocked, he cannot perform these functions. Deteriorated air exchange function can lead to persistent headaches, memory impairment and mental activity. The airways lose their protective function, so infectious diseases often occur. Because of this, complications can occur in the throat, bronchi, middle ear or lacrimal glands. In addition, a constant runny nose can lead to atrophy of the nasal mucosa and pathological changes in the anatomy of the nasal passages.
Constant runny nose: what to do
First of all, in this condition it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Despite the fact that many consider a runny nose as a non-dangerous condition, prolonged inflammation of the mucous membrane can lead to sad consequences. In addition, only a specialist can decide how to treat a persistent runny nose, since the methods of therapy depend on the cause that caused it.
Sometimes you can cope with this condition without medication. It is enough to cancel the drops that caused the allergy or stop using alternative methods. Moreover, this is a fairly common cause of chronic rhinitis. Many people try to treat a runny nose with onion, beet or aloe juice, and wash their nose with laundry soap. But these recipes can only help with viral diseases. They do not relieve nasal congestion, but, on the contrary, can cause it. Therefore, it is necessary to stop using all popular methods.
Sometimes, to get rid of a constant cold, it is enough to start humidifying the air in the room. To do this, a humidifier or fountain is purchased. You can also lay out wet towels on heating radiators and place water containers around the room. It also helps rinse the nose with special saline solutions. If a runny nose is caused by an allergy, you need to try to eliminate the effects of allergens.
In addition to measures to eliminate the causes of chronic rhinitis, the composition of complex therapy necessarily includes medical treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures and other methods. They help restore nasal passages, restore free breathing and mucosal function.
Drug treatment
Only a doctor can advise how to get rid of a constant cold with medications. After all, the choice of the drug depends not only on the individual characteristics of the patient, but also on the cause of rhinitis. The most commonly used drugs are:
- Sinupret tablets;
- spray "Nasobek";
- drops of Sinuforte;
- drops "Nazoferon" with immunomodulating effect;
- vasoconstrictor drugs, for example, "Nizivin", "Tizin", "Xylene";
- antihistamine drops "Allergodil", "Cromohexal";
- washing solutions, for example, No-Sol, Aqua Maris.
Rinse nose
Often, for the treatment of a constant runny nose, it is recommended to rinse the sinuses. This procedure is called irrigation. Wash your nose with a kettle. You need to bend over the sink and pour the solution into one nostril so that it flows out of the other nostril. You can also instill a large amount of solution into the nose, and it will flow into the nasopharynx.
For this, you can use ready-made solutions, for example, in a pharmacy you can buy the spray "Aqua Maris". But a similar solution can be prepared independently. Effectively washing the nose with saline is to dilute 0.5 tablespoons of sea salt into half a glass of warm water. Irrigation with the help of decoctions of chamomile, lemon balm, and plantain is often also recommended. You can dilute a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil in a glass of warm water. Such a solution has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. If a runny nose bothers a person very often, it is better to purchase a special parting "Dolphin". It’s easier to rinse your nose with it.
Unconventional methods
Most popular cold cure recipes are aimed at eradicating the infection. But there are those that help with chronic rhinitis. This is the inhalation of aromas of essential oils, drops of Kalanchoe juice, inhalation with mint, chamomile and plantain. Inhalations with essential oils of lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree are also effective. You can use peach oil to moisten the mucosa. It will help to quickly abandon vasoconstrictor drops.
In addition, sometimes doctors prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures to a patient with chronic rhinitis. This may be cryotherapy, laser therapy, intranasal blockade.
How to prevent a problem
In order not to suffer with constant nasal congestion, it is necessary to know the methods of preventing the common cold. This condition is easier to prevent than then seek treatment. To do this, try to moisten the air in the rooms where the person is the longest. In addition, strengthen the immune system so as not to become infected with a viral infection. And with the appearance of a common cold, treat it only under the guidance of a doctor. Apply various medications, especially vasoconstrictive drops, only strictly according to the instructions. In addition, you need to try not to abuse traditional methods for the treatment of acute respiratory infections. Tips such as onion juice in the nose can damage the mucosa. And most importantly: to prevent this condition, when the first symptoms of a runny nose appear, you need to see a doctor.