How should chronic rhinitis be treated?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can chronic rhinitis be cured?

Chronic rhinitis primarily focuses on controlling the condition and relieving symptoms. Current treatment methods mainly involve medication, generally using oral drugs and nasal sprays to improve nasal symptoms. Additionally, physiological saline can be used to rinse the nasal cavity. Overall, most cases can be effectively controlled and alleviated through medication. If the nasal turbinates are particularly enlarged and conservative medical treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment can be considered. However, both medication and surgery mainly aim at control rather than cure. With the existing medical approaches, it is challenging to completely cure chronic rhinitis. Generally, it is considered a common and not particularly severe condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is chronic rhinitis contagious?

Chronic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. Clinically, it can be divided into simple, hypertrophic, and atrophic types. The treatment generally primarily involves the use of local medications, and typically does not involve the use of antiviral or antibiotic medications. Chronic rhinitis is not contagious. However, it is important to be aware of other conditions that can cause chronic rhinitis, such as tuberculosis-induced rhinitis and syphilitic rhinitis. These are not cases of the rhinitis itself being contagious, but rather the transmission of pathogens, so it cannot be simply stated that chronic rhinitis is contagious. Clinically diagnosed chronic rhinitis is definitively non-contagious.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What causes rhinitis?

There are many causes of rhinitis in clinical settings, such as acute rhinitis, which is primarily due to infections, especially viral infections. Chronic rhinitis has many influencing factors, such as incomplete treatment of acute rhinitis leading to chronic conditions, or originating directly from chronic rhinitis. For instance, physical and chemical irritants, inappropriate use of medications in the nasal cavity, such as rhinitis medicamentosa caused by the use of nasal mucosa constrictors, and some inappropriate self-actions like habitual nose-picking, can all cause chronic rhinitis. Other forms of rhinitis, such as allergic rhinitis, are mainly caused by allergic factors. There is also vasomotor rhinitis, mainly due to inconsistent vasoconstriction, among other reasons. These are the main factors. (For specific medications, please follow the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)