Can chronic rhinitis be cured completely?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 24, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

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.

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 Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
54sec home-news-image

How to prevent seasonal rhinitis

Seasonal rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis with seasonal outbreaks, requires the identification of specific allergens for its prevention. This type of rhinitis is caused by allergies to seasonal factors, so it is necessary to visit an allergen testing center at an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department of a hospital to determine the specific allergens. Then, prior to the season, preventative measures can be taken to avoid contact with these allergens. Medications can be started one or two weeks in advance to alleviate the symptoms of rhinitis. Common medications include anti-allergy nasal steroids and other anti-allergy drugs such as antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists. Nasal steroids are typically administered via nasal spray once or twice a day, and during the prevention period, it can be sprayed once a day.

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

Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis is generally caused by the prolongation of acute rhinitis or recurrent attacks, resulting in nasal symptoms. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, which alternates, being less severe during physical activity in the daytime and more severe at night when quiet. Additionally, mucous-like discharge can occur in the nasal cavity. When accompanied by bacterial infection, yellow or green discharge may appear. During examination, patients may find significant congestion and edema on the middle and inferior turbinates, and abnormal secretions adhering to the middle nasal meatus or common nasal channel. In treatment, chronic rhinitis can initially be managed with nebulized inhalation to alleviate congestion and edema of the turbinates. Concurrently, exercising can enhance immunity and resistance, restore the function of the nasal mucosa, and subsequently lead to recovery from chronic rhinitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How to distinguish between rhinitis and a cold

The distinction between rhinitis and a cold primarily hinges on the following aspects: first and foremost, the specific onset time of the illness. Colds generally occur suddenly and last for a relatively short duration, about a week; whereas the duration of rhinitis may be longer, and some individuals might even experience chronic rhinitis, meaning the onset duration for rhinitis is relatively longer. The second aspect is the symptoms. Cold symptoms may include nasal congestion and a runny nose, but most patients will also exhibit other uncomfortable symptoms, such as sore throat, body aches, or fever. In the case of rhinitis, the primary symptoms are usually nasal, such as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, and generally, there are rarely any whole-body symptoms. The third method is through an examination of the nasal cavity, which is primarily based on the doctor's experiential judgment. These three aspects essentially allow for the differentiation between rhinitis and a cold.