About 15 percent of the German population suffers from chronic rhinitis in their lifetime. A swelling of the nasal mucosa, the constant feeling of clearing the throat: patients suffer from chronic rhinitis, which – if the sinuses are also affected – can even lead to headaches.
What is chronic rhinitis?
Chronic rhinitis (also called chronic rhinitis) is a persistent state of inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose. Chronic rhinitis is a persistent inflammation or irritation of the nasal mucosa. The nasal mucosa responds to inflammation and irritation by thickening (increasing in volume) in the turbinate area.
Causes
A chronic cold (chronic rhinitis) can have the most diverse causes. Primarily, regular inflammations caused by viruses or bacteria are causative. However, allergies to a wide variety of pollen, animal dander, and other allergens may also be considered as causes. Even irritants such as dust or chemical vapors, very high or even very low temperatures, smoke from cigarettes or even spices (e.g. pepper) can lead to chronic rhinitis. Rarely, benign tumors of the nasal mucosa – the so-called nasal polyps – are also a possible cause of the “stuffy nose“. Tumors or a crooked nasal septum can also promote chronic rhinitis. In addition, certain medications (e.g., antihypertensive drugs) cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. Probably the most typical symptom of chronic rhinitis is obstructed breathing through the nose due to swelling of the nasal mucous membranes. Chronic rhinitis is often accompanied by a mucous secretion flowing from the nose. Affected persons feel the need to constantly clear their throat, because the nasal secretion often also runs into the throat in chronic rhinitis. If the mucous membranes in the sinuses are also affected, headaches may occur in addition to the discomfort.
Diseases with this symptom
- Sinusitis
- Hay fever
- Animal hair allergy
- Nasal polyps
- House dust allergy
- Drug allergy
Diagnosis and course
To be able to make the diagnosis “chronic rhinitis”, the doctor will first ask his patient specifically about his complaints, to also find out the causes. Furthermore, the nasopharynx is examined as well as the lungs are listened to, whereby other diseases such as inflammations of the bronchial tubes or also the pharyngeal tonsils can be excluded. In addition to these examinations, a nasal endoscopy (rhinoscopy) is often performed, which allows a closer look into the nasopharynx. This allows for a good assessment of the entire interior of the nose as well as the condition of the nasal mucosa. This allows the doctor to easily identify certain causes such as polyps, tumors or even a crooked nasal septum. A smear test is also important in making a diagnosis to determine whether bacteria are responsible for the chronic rhinitis. If there is a suspicion of allergy, an allergy test, which is performed after the acute symptoms have subsided, is useful. Depending on the treatment of chronic rhinitis, the disease also progresses. Untreated, the rhinitis usually does not disappear as easily as an acute rhinitis would. Thus, appropriate therapy is essential.
When should you go to the doctor?
In general, chronic complaints require clarification by the doctor. In the case of chronic rhinitis, a specialist should be consulted after about a week. But also regularly recurring rhinitis, which stops in the meantime and reappears after some time, should be clarified by the doctor. Another indication to consult a specialist are various accompanying symptoms. If the rhinitis is characterized by a yellowish or even purulent secretion, this indicates the involvement of bacteria. In this case, it may be necessary to take an antibiotic to eliminate the bacteria. Accompanying symptoms such as headache, fever, tonsil pain and a feeling of pressure in the head when bending over must also be clarified by a doctor. Here, a chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or the entire respiratory system may be present.If this is not treated in time, extensive inflammation can be the result. Bacteria from the paranasal sinuses can also pass through the blood–brain barrier under certain circumstances and thus lead to meningitis. In children, the pediatrician should be consulted after five days for chronic rhinitis. Initially, the family doctor can be asked for advice. Often this can already make a diagnosis. However, the appropriate contact for a persistent rhinitis is the ear, nose and throat specialist. This can clarify the exact causes and, if necessary, initiate appropriate therapy.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy for chronic rhinitis is primarily concerned with eliminating the cause that contributes to the disease. If allergies are present, the triggering substance should be avoided and the allergy treated with appropriate medications. If chronic rhinitis is the result of a crooked nasal septum or polyps, nasal surgery is often performed as well. To alleviate the discomfort and support the battered nasal mucous membranes, salt water rinses are the simplest and also cheapest means of choice. The mucous secretion becomes thinner and can be better removed by the cilia in the nose. Pollutants are also washed away in this way. Mucolytic and anti-inflammatory steam baths with chamomile flowers, preferably not too hot, also contribute to relief. If it is very difficult to breathe through the nose, a decongestant nasal spray before the steam bath can also help. Particularly in the acute phase of chronic rhinitis, decongestant medications in the form of sprays, drops or even gels are recommended. They help to decongest the nasal mucous membranes and allow the mucus to drain, thus providing good ventilation to the sinuses. It is important that decongestant medications are used only for a short period of time, because the active ingredients dry out the nasal mucosa, which causes sufferers to continue using the sprays more and more often. This results in a dry nose as well as permanent damage to the nasal mucosa.
Outlook and prognosis
Chronic rhinitis usually indicates allergy, so without any treatment or with appropriate medication, there is no significant improvement in sight. Only with appropriate medication can an allergy be alleviated to the extent that the affected person does not have to accept any restrictions in his or her daily life. However, a chronic cold does not always have to be triggered by an allergy; it can also be caused by a normal infection. In such a case, however, medical treatment is required. If such a cold already exists for several weeks, there is no improvement in sight. The nasal mucous membranes are permanently damaged in such a case, so that a complete recovery can only be guaranteed with the right medication. In addition, a chronic cold can also lead to various accompanying symptoms. These include headaches, an increased temperature or even chills. Under certain circumstances, a severe flu-like infection can develop without any treatment, which should be treated by a doctor, especially in children. Otherwise, there is even a threat of permanent consequential damage.
Prevention
It is almost impossible to prevent a chronic cold. However, patients with acute rhinitis are advised to use decongestant medications only for a short period of time. Much more suitable for treatment are always steam baths or nasal rinses. If an allergy is present, chronic rhinitis can be prevented with appropriate treatment. It is important to consult an ENT doctor at the first small signs of chronic rhinitis, because it can possibly also lead to middle ear infection or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses if treatment is not given.
What you can do yourself
Persistent rhinitis is not painful, but it does limit the quality of life. Numerous home remedies and, if necessary, changes in lifestyle habits can help against chronic rhinitis. Allergy is the reason for continuous rhinitis in every second case. It always makes sense to strengthen the immune system. This includes a healthy diet as well as sufficient sleep and exercise in the fresh air. Although the allergic reaction can be suppressed with the help of medication, it makes more sense to find the trigger and avoid it. Desensitization may help.In case of allergy to animals and house dust, the apartment must be thoroughly cleaned. Contact with animals should be kept to a minimum. Some medications have a blocked nose as a side effect, for example aspirin. Very often decongestant nasal sprays are also the cause of continuous rhinitis, because they damage the mucous membrane. Discontinuation of the spray leads to rapid improvement. Stress, anxiety and grief can also lead to persistent rhinitis. It is worthwhile to reconsider one’s life situation and start here, because eliminating the causes can lead to an early cure. Moistening the nasal mucous membranes with saline solution is one of the most effective and natural remedies for the common cold. This strengthens the mucous membranes and facilitates the drainage of secretions. This side-effect-free method is especially useful for children. Drinking plenty of fluids, steam baths, infrared radiation and inhalation also help.
