What are the symptoms of chronic rhinitis?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 22, 2025
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Chronic rhinitis is caused by recurrent acute rhinitis or prolonged unresolved nasal symptoms. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, which alternates in severity; the congestion is usually less during physical activity during the day and more severe when resting at night. Additionally, the nasal cavity may produce mucous secretions, and when accompanied by bacterial infection, yellow secretions may appear. Patients may also experience headaches, dry mouth, and decreased memory among other related symptoms. During examination, congested and swollen nasal turbinates on both sides are evident, and the effectiveness of ephedrine in causing constriction is good. In treatment, patients can initially use nebulized inhalation to constrict the nasal turbinates and reduce nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise is also needed to restore the function of the nasal mucosa, leading to gradual improvement. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical removal may be required for recovery. (Medication use must be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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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How many types of chronic rhinitis are there?

Chronic rhinitis can be clinically divided into chronic simple rhinitis, chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, and chronic allergic rhinitis, which are the most common types seen in clinical practice. Chronic simple rhinitis is often seen in children and generally occurs due to repeated acute rhinitis attacks or prolonged unresolved symptoms. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis results from repeated simple rhinitis, causing bilateral turbinate mucosal diffuse congestion and hyperplasia with poor shrinkage effects. Chronic allergic rhinitis is caused by inhalation of certain allergens into the nasal cavity due to weakened immunity and resistance, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. In terms of treatment, simple rhinitis can be effectively managed with medication. Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis may require partial turbinectomy of both sides for cure, while allergic rhinitis can be gradually improved by enhancing immunity and resistance.

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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
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Difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis and rhinitis are issues of a specific concept versus a broader concept. Allergic rhinitis is a type of rhinitis caused by a hypersensitivity reaction, which is an allergic response of the body leading to inflammation of the nasal passages. Rhinitis, however, includes allergic rhinitis as well as chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, etc. Thus, it's a matter of differentiating between a more specific and a general concept. Clinically, it is particularly important to differentiate their diagnosis and treatment. For example, the primary treatment for allergic rhinitis is anti-allergy medication, whereas treatments for conditions like chronic and atrophic rhinitis are completely different. Therefore, it is crucial to differentiate these accurately in clinical practice to ensure the correct medication is used.

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Otolaryngology
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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.)