What is the best treatment for chronic rhinitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 16, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Is chronic rhinitis serious?

Chronic rhinitis is very serious and can cause diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia of the bilateral inferior turbinate mucosa in patients, leading to persistent bilateral nasal congestion. The condition progressively worsens, and the nasal cavity will also have mucous secretions. Prolonged hypoxia in patients can lead to dizziness, headaches, a decrease in the sense of smell, memory decline, and in severe cases, depression and irritability among other clinical symptoms. When examined with an electronic nasal endoscope, the surface of the bilateral turbinate mucosa may show mulberry-like changes, and the effect of vasoconstrictors is poor. In treating chronic rhinitis, conservative treatment can be adopted first, and nebulized inhalation treatment is effective. However, if conservative treatment is ineffective, bilateral partial inferior turbinate resection may be needed. After surgery, patients need to exercise and boost their immunity to avoid recurrent episodes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 15sec home-news-image

Can rhinitis cause yellow nasal discharge?

Rhinits can cause the discharge of yellow nasal mucus. Rhinits is due to the symptoms in the nasal cavity and overall body caused by bacterial or viral infections when the body's immunity and resistance are low. The patient may experience sudden high fever, with body temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius, bilateral nasal congestion that alternates, and yellow purulent discharge from the nasal passages. Upon examination, significant congestion of the bilateral inferior turbinates can be detected, and yellow purulent discharge adhering inside the nasal cavity can be found. In terms of treatment, patients first need to undergo a routine blood test. If there is an increase in white blood cells, bacterial infection should be considered, and oral antibiotics should be administered. If there is an increase in lymphocytes, a viral infection should be considered, and antiviral medications should be taken orally. Additionally, patients should adhere to a light diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, and rest well for gradual recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

The difference between chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis

The differences between chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis are quite significant. Firstly, we need to consider the causes of the diseases. Allergic rhinitis is mainly caused by the body's own immune response, primarily due to allergens the body encounters externally, which trigger this immune response. Chronic rhinitis, on the other hand, is primarily associated with local inflammation of the nasal mucosa and turbinates, and generally, it is not directly related to the body's own immune system. Another difference lies in the symptoms. The main symptoms of chronic rhinitis include nasal congestion and runny nose, with some patients possibly experiencing headaches or dizziness. In contrast, symptoms of allergic rhinitis mainly include itchy nose, sneezing, and clear nasal discharge, with some patients possibly experiencing nasal congestion. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist, allowing an experienced doctor to make a diagnosis, supplemented by additional diagnostic tests.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
55sec home-news-image

Does cold medicine treat rhinitis?

Colds are mainly caused by the infection of our upper respiratory tract by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, etc. Rhinitis is usually related to infections, and a cold can trigger rhinitis. However, other factors, such as allergies or temperature changes, can also produce symptoms similar to a cold. Therefore, cold medicines often contain medications for treating rhinitis, so some patients experiencing rhinitis may find cold medicines to be effective. However, besides containing rhinitis medications, cold medicines also include fever reducers and vasoconstrictive cough suppressants. Thus, to treat rhinitis, it is still better to use proper rhinitis medications instead of substituting them with cold medicines. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor to avoid self-medication.)