The most important function of the nasal membrane is to clean the air entering the respiratory tract from pollution. She also performs another important role - moisturizes and heats the air flow. In various bacterial or infectious diseases, it is one of the first that suffers from the nasal mucosa. There is inflammation, which can occur in two forms - acute and chronic.
Acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa in Latin is indicated as follows: rhinitis. In Russian, it is rhinitis, which many call a runny nose. The disease lasts up to 3 months. It is differentiated into viral and non-viral. As a rule, the first proceeds for more than 5 days, and the second begins to intensify the manifestations about a week after the first symptoms appear.
Chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa (called rhinitis in Latin) occurs with or without nasal polyps. Inflammatory processes are observed less than 3 months.
Root causes
Infection and external irritants can be factors that provoke inflammation. The first group of causes of inflammation of the nasal mucosa include:
- Viral lesions. In most cases, this is the most common cause of inflammation.
- Bacterial infection. This process occurs due to damage to the nasal cavity by harmful bacteria.
- Fungal infections. Inflammation appears with the penetration of fungi (Candida, mycoplasmas) in the body.
Secondary reasons
A non-infectious group of causes of inflammation of the nasal mucosa include:
- Injuries to the nasal membrane.
- Foreign objects getting into the nose.
- Surgical interventions.
- Violation of nerve tissues that affect the initial function of the mucous membrane.
- Constant dryness of the nasal mucosa.
- Emotional changes (constant crying) and nervous strain.
- An allergy that occurs when irritating agents get on the mucous membranes. They are very different, from any odors to pollen of plants.
Symptoms
Signs indicating inflammation of the nasal mucosa (called rhinitis, as noted above) may be various manifestations that directly depend on the cause of the lesion. If this is an allergic reaction, then the patient appears:
- Sore throat and nose.
- Profuse discharge of tears.
- Rapid nasal congestion.
- Frequent sneezing appears.
- The face begins to swell.
- Transparent discharge appears from the nose.
- There is drowsiness.
- There is a weakness.
- The nasal membrane turns red.
Signs of an Infectious Disease
If we talk about infectious diseases of the nose, then they are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The occurrence of headaches.
- Raising the temperature.
- The appearance of chills, weakness, aches throughout the body.
- The mucous membrane begins to dry out.
- Green mucous discharge appears from the nose.
- Ears start to hurt.
- There is pain and / or in the nose.
- Nasal congestion is felt.
Other symptoms
Bacterial infection of the mucous membrane occurs with such manifestations:
- purulent discharge
- nasal congestion, accompanied by pain.
While receiving a nasal injury, the patient may experience:
- Bleeding.
- Nasal congestion.
- Headache.
- Swelling of the face.
- Change in skin color at the site of injury (for example, bruising and bruising).
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the most common symptom that signals inflammation is nasal congestion. With its manifestation, little oxygen enters the body. The consequence of this phenomenon is frequent migraines, fainting, high blood pressure. In addition, the brain begins to “starve” from a lack of oxygen, which is fraught with various unpleasant and even dangerous conditions of the patient.
Therapies
There are several treatment options for inflammation. The most important condition for successful therapy is to determine the cause that triggered the disease. Practicing assistance with one of these established methods:
- Allergy treatment.
- Therapy for infection.
- Treatment for injuries.
In case of allergies, antihistamines with a potent effect are attributed to the patient. A seawater-based disinfectant is prescribed for washing the nose. For allergic reactions, you will need to consume a lot of clean water per day. When drying out the nasal mucosa, it is important to moisturize. It is very important to completely get rid of the cause of allergies.
Assistance for infection is carried out according to a different method. It must be understood that in case of an ailment, it is impossible to be treated only by instillation of funds with a vasoconstrictive effect in the nose. They temporarily eliminate nasal congestion, but do not help cure inflammation. They do not affect the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
It is worth noting that nasal drops should not be used for more than 5 consecutive days, as they provoke addiction and addiction. In addition, there is irritation of the nasal membrane and neglect of the disease. In case of bacterial infection, the patient must use antibiotics, which should be prescribed by the doctor.
If the patient has a fungus, then you need to adhere to this method of treatment: the nose must be washed with saline or saline. You will need to use nasal drops to remove congestion. The best remedy is drugs that include peach or sea buckthorn. The Pinosol medication is no less effective.
In the case of a chronic form of the disease, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed to the patient. In chronic rhinitis, physiotherapy is also effective. If the inflammation has a hypertrophic form, then you can not do without surgical intervention.
With injuries received, treatment is symptomatic. For pain, analgesics are attributed, with edema, it is recommended to make cold compresses. In case of nosebleeds, two dense turunds should be made from the bandage, then they should be treated with an antimicrobial solution or ointment and inserted into each nostril.
Folk remedies
When the inflammation of the nasal mucosa is mild, you can use folk remedies for treatment. The most popular and effective drops in the nose are the juice of garlic or onion, which must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Just a couple of drops in the nostril will help get rid of nasal congestion. The advantages of this method are getting rid of a cold and germs. Folk healers have many other effective ways. Let's consider some of them in more detail:
- Nasal drops with aloe or beetroot juice. Advantages: quick action, complete removal of pathogenic bacteria. Beet juice can be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1.
- Inhalation of vapor (inhalation). For cooking, you need finely chopped garlic, which must be put in boiling water. When the product boils, you need to remove the container from the stove, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam until the water has cooled. Such inhalation perfectly kills viruses.
- When the mucous membrane dries, it needs to be moistened. This can be done with oils. Sea buckthorn and olive are popular.
- No less effective are inhalations using bay leaves. To prepare a decoction, you will need 4-5 leaves of laurel, pour 500 ml of water and bring to a boil. The resulting broth can be inhaled for no more than 10 minutes. For the treatment of children, such a tool is better not to use. In order not to get burns with steam, do not bend too low above the container.
- Chamomile flushing agent. Need to take Art. l dry flowers, pour 500 ml of water, put on the stove and let it boil. Cool the broth, strain and use as directed.
To avoid negative consequences, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using any alternative method.
Complications
If you do not start treatment for inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses in time, the following complications may arise:
- Sinusitis.
- Constant nasal congestion.
- Oxygen starvation of the brain.
Oxygen starvation complications
The consequences of such a pathology can be:
- Frequent headaches.
- Visual impairment.
- Violation of the central nervous system.
- Impaired memory.
- Regular fatigue, lethargy.
- Chronic allergies or which may cause suffocation, anaphylactic shock.
Recommendations
To avoid inflammation of the mucosa and all undesirable consequences, it is necessary to listen to the advice of specialists:
- Do not ignore a runny nose, a cold. At their first manifestations, immediately take up treatment. Do not tolerate flu on your feet, but observe bed rest.
- If symptoms of the disease appear, consult a doctor.
- It is recommended to be tempered.
- Increase immunity with fruits and vegetables, vitamin complexes that a doctor should prescribe.
- Exercise regularly.
- If a person is prone to allergies, take antihistamines on time, for example, during the flowering period of plants that cause unwanted reactions.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Humidify the air in the room.
- If the mucous membrane dries, moisten it with oils.
According to statistics, 90% of the population annually complain of nasal congestion, but only a few seek the help of specialists. Due to the fact that a person does not pay special attention to the problem, serious consequences arise.
In addition to all of the above factors that affect the condition of the mucous membrane, bad habits (smoking), chlorine, which is used almost everywhere for disinfection, dust, play an important role. A person prone to allergic reactions needs to avoid contact with the main irritants.