Rhinitis is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa that is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and itching. According to the clinical aspect, it is largely divided into acute rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, and atrophic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is a type of rhinitis. Compared to acute rhinitis, which is an infectious rhinitis commonly known as a cold, it occurs according to various causes and is largely classified into allergic and non-allergic.
Chronic rhinitis is divided into infectious and non-infectious according to various causes. Infectious rhinitis is caused by bacteria, and it can occur when rhinitis caused by sinusitis or repeated tonsillitis lasts for a long time, or it can occur repeatedly due to incomplete treatment for a cold. And even when rhinitis is not cured well due to poor systemic nutritional status or immune status, it can cause chronic rhinitis and worsen symptoms.
The causes of non-infectious rhinitis include allergic rhinitis, imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, and anatomical abnormalities in the nasal structure. In addition, it has been reported that such non-infectious rhinitis can also be caused by factors such as hormonal abnormalities, drugs, and emotional anxiety. It is reported that the number of chronic rhinitis patients is increasing every year due to various environmental factors such as westernization of eating habits, fine dust, and changes in the living environment. Now, let’s take a closer look at the main symptoms of chronic rhinitis, as well as various information on treatment and prevention.
Main symptoms of chronic rhinitis
It is known that chronic rhinitis only differs in the severity of symptoms, and the clinical features are similar. Among them, the most common symptoms are nasal congestion and runny nose. When these symptoms of nasal congestion occur, when both sides of the nose are blocked, you breathe through the mouth and breathe through the mouth. And when nasal secretions flow down the back of the nostrils, post nasal drip syndrome can occur, and when the nerves of the nasal mucosa are exposed due to inflammation, it can also cause paroxysmal sneezing. In addition, loss or loss of sense of smell is also a symptom of various symptoms that may occur during the occurrence of chronic rhinitis.
If chronic rhinitis is caused by a definite cause, the symptoms can be sufficiently improved with appropriate treatment. However, if left untreated for a long time, chronic inflammation may continue and, at the same time, the nasal mucosa and nasal mucosa in the nasal passages may become unrecoverable and swollen. It can also lead to complications such as conjunctivitis, otitis media, and laryngitis. Therefore, it is most important to proceed with appropriate examinations and treatment before symptoms worsen or become chronic.
Treatment and prevention of chronic rhinitis
1. Accurate diagnosis and treatment
Chronic rhinitis is diagnosed accurately based on the patient’s medical history and symptoms, and nasal endoscopy. Allergic reaction test, bacterial culture test, nasal smear test, etc. can be performed together to check for comorbid diseases and atopic dermatitis. Chronic rhinitis diagnosed through multiple tests is treated differently depending on the type. Allergic rhinitis is treated with antihistamines, topical steroids, and anticholinergic sprays as well as avoidance therapy to avoid the causative antigen with drug therapy. will proceed. In the case of chronic rhinitis and rhinitis, medical treatment using topical nebulized steroids is performed, and surgical treatment such as turbinate resection, laser surgery, and radiofrequency surgery is performed.
2. Personal hygiene management such as hand washing
It is important to wash your hands regularly to prevent chronic rhinitis. In particular, to prevent acute rhinitis, it is important to wash your hands well after going out and pay more attention to personal hygiene. In addition, it is said that rinsing the nose in the morning and evening with nasal saline to wash foreign substances and inflammatory factors inside the nasal passages can help prevent chronic rhinitis.
3. Proper control of humidity and temperature
Maintaining and controlling the proper humidity so that it does not dry out is also an important management habit in preventing chronic rhinitis. In addition, rapid temperature change is also something to be aware of, especially when suddenly exposed to cold air can worsen rhinitis, so it is important to wear a scarf and mask when going out in winter. And in the case of allergic rhinitis, it is important to avoid exposure to the causative antigen material. It is said that it is important to periodically boil and sterilize bedding such as blankets and pillows because house dust and mites are easily generated. In addition, it is important to clean furniture such as sofas and rugs at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a special filter.
And since cigarette smoke and fine dust are representative triggers of rhinitis, it is also important to minimize exposure and contact with these factors. In addition, overwork and excessive emotional stress are also known as major causes of exacerbation of chronic rhinitis, so it is important to properly control these areas.
