Chronic Rhinitis


Is medication effective for chronic rhinitis?
Most patients with chronic rhinitis find oral medications somewhat effective, but the specific effects and outcomes can vary from person to person. Some may experience good results, while others may find the effects not particularly satisfactory and may need to consider using nasal sprays or saline nasal irrigations. The main function is to improve nasal ventilation, alleviate nasal inflammation, and reduce or dilute nasal secretions. Overall, the primary approach to managing chronic rhinitis is controlling and alleviating the condition, as neither medical nor surgical treatments can cure it completely. The main strategy is regular check-ups, avoiding colds, avoiding irritants, and monitoring to control and relieve symptoms. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)


Chronic rhinitis symptoms
Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms and individual differences. The common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, and some patients may also experience a decline in memory. Generally, the symptoms of chronic rhinitis are not particularly severe, and the harm to physical health is not particularly significant. For diagnosis, nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT can be performed to assess the specific severity of the condition. In terms of treatment, it generally involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and regular follow-ups are needed to monitor the recovery process.


Can chronic rhinitis be cured completely?
Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, and there are many treatment methods available at present. However, existing medical measures mainly focus on controlling symptoms and alleviating the condition, and it is very difficult to achieve a complete cure. Most patients undergo treatment with oral medications and nasal sprays, after which symptoms generally tend to reduce and the degree of inflammatory response also declines. Nonetheless, a complete cure is still elusive; the main goal is to reduce the frequency of acute attacks of chronic rhinitis, relieve clinical symptoms, and prevent significant impact on daily life. Overall, it is considered a common chronic disease that does not pose a significant threat to overall health. (Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and avoid self-medicating.)


How should chronic rhinitis be treated?
Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. The common manifestations include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. In terms of treatment, it initially requires some nasopharyngoscopic and sinus CT examinations, which help to clarify the specific degree of chronic rhinitis and rule out any sinusitis. Generally, oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, including traditional Chinese patent medicines orally, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and nasal irrigation with saline solution. The general treatment period is about one to two weeks. After medication, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe the recovery process. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)


Can people with chronic rhinitis swim?
People with chronic rhinitis can swim, but it is advisable to refrain from swimming during an acute flare-up. If it's just ordinary chronic rhinitis without noticeable acute inflammation, swimming is possible and may even be somewhat beneficial for rhinitis. However, attention should be paid to the cleanliness and hygiene of the swimming pool. If the pool is not up to hygiene standards, water entering the nasal passages can exacerbate existing rhinitis or trigger an acute flare-up. Therefore, this is a point of concern. If it's just ordinary chronic rhinitis and the pool meets swimming standards, swimming should be fine and not particularly harmful to either rhinitis or overall health.


Can chronic rhinitis be completely cured?
Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with numerous clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, and sometimes nasal discharge may contain blood. In terms of treatment, oral medications and nasal sprays are commonly used, along with saline nasal irrigation. However, it is currently difficult to achieve a complete cure, and there are cases of recurrent attacks. Generally, during stable periods of the disease, regular check-ups are the main approach. If there is an acute attack of chronic rhinitis, targeted medication treatment should be considered. In daily life, saline nasal irrigation can be used, and it is advisable to avoid colds and refrain from eating spicy and irritating foods.


Causes of Chronic Rhinitis
The causes of chronic rhinitis are quite complex and not due to a single factor. It often arises from multiple factors after prolonged and repeated acute attacks, leading to chronic inflammatory changes. These changes primarily affect the nasal mucosa, with the most common causes including: First, prolonged and repeated bouts of acute rhinitis that are not thoroughly treated can lead to chronic rhinitis. This also includes some chronic diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses, such as congenital deviation of the nasal septum, meaning the middle part of the nose is crooked, which disrupts drainage and airflow in the nasal cavity. Thus, when there is an acute inflammation, the secretions cannot be drained timely, eventually causing chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Second, inflammation of nearby tissues and organs can lead to chronic rhinitis, such as chronic tonsillitis and adenoid hyperplasia during childhood. These chronic inflammations can cause secretions in the nasopharyngeal area to irritate and contribute to the chronic inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, impacting each other. Third, occupational and environmental factors play a role. The living and working environment, along with lifestyle habits, greatly influence the incidence of chronic rhinitis. People who frequently smoke or drink alcohol are more susceptible to this condition. Additionally, if the work or living environment is polluted, dirty, dusty, or exposed to other harmful gases or chemicals, it may also lead to chronic rhinitis. Therefore, the formation of chronic rhinitis involves multifaceted and multiple causes, and the specific reasons should be analyzed based on different patients.


Can people with chronic rhinitis smoke?
It is advised not to smoke for chronic rhinitis, as smoking can be irritating to the nasal mucosa, inferior nasal concha, and other structures in the nasal cavity. This is because cigarettes contain a lot of irritating substances that can directly stimulate the nasal mucosa. It can easily trigger an attack of rhinitis or exacerbate existing inflammation, hence smoking is not recommended. It is also suggested to avoid alcohol, keep the nose moist, avoid contact with irritants, and consider using physiological seawater or saline to rinse the nasal cavity. Additionally, treatments can include oral traditional Chinese medicine and nasal spray medications. Generally, it is a common disease that can be effectively controlled and managed with standard treatment. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)


What medicine is used for chronic rhinitis?
Chronic rhinitis refers to the chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes and submucosal layer inside the nasal cavity. It may be related to allergic states, bacterial infections, viral infections, environmental factors, and the dietary and lifestyle habits of the patient. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered a type of heat syndrome or a manifestation of having excessive internal heat. Therefore, it is important to avoid catching colds, avoid overexertion, and refrain from consuming spicy and irritating foods. One should also avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and staying up late. Consuming some cooling foods that relieve heat and, under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, using some heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines, as well as antihistamines and topical nasal corticosteroids, can be beneficial. Generally, with such treatment, rhinitis can be cured in about four weeks.


What is the best treatment for chronic rhinitis?
There are quite a few treatment options for chronic rhinitis, which are mainly divided into two categories clinically. The first category is conservative medicinal treatment, and the second is surgical treatment. Based on existing clinical experience, the preferred approach is to primarily use conservative treatment, most commonly oral medications, generally focusing on traditional Chinese medicines. It is also recommended to use nasal sprays alongside, and consider using saline or seawater for nasal washes, which need to be performed regularly. If standardized medication treatment proves ineffective, surgery is considered, mainly for cases where the enlargement of the nasal turbinates is particularly significant. Surgical options may include turbinate ablation or a partial excision of the moved portion of the inferior turbinate. Overall, with standardized treatment, most patients can effectively control and alleviate their symptoms.