In the following you will find an overview and short explanation of the most important diseases of the nose. Diseases of the nose can be divided into diseases of the outer and inner nose, depending on their occurrence.
Classification of diseases of the nose
In the following, the most common diseases in the nose are divided into:
- Diseases & injuries of the external nose
- Diseases & injuries of the inner nose
Diseases & injuries of the external nose
Due to the prominent position of the nose in the face, the nasal bone is a common site for fractures. This is usually caused by blunt force, such as a blow to the nose. Symptoms of a fracture of the nasal bone include pain in the nose, nosebleeds and swelling of the nose, which may be accompanied by obstruction of nasal breathing.
The diagnosis is usually made by an X-ray. Most nasal bone fractures can be corrected without surgery. A nasal septum curvature is usually already present at birth, but can also be caused by an injury.
The main symptom is impaired nasal breathing, which leads to sleep disturbances and snoring, especially at night. The therapy of a nasal septum curvature is a surgical correction of the nasal septum. This is carried out by the ENT physician.
Pain in the nasal bone can have many different causes. On the one hand, trauma such as a blow to the nose can cause pain. On the other hand, diseases of the inner nose such as swelling of the nasal mucosa can also cause pain in the nasal bone.
Diseases & injuries of the inner nose
Nosebleeds can have harmless causes such as a dry nose or the intake of blood-thinning medication. However, nosebleeds can also be a symptom of other diseases such as high blood pressure or a tumor of the nasal mucous membrane. The therapy consists primarily of stopping the nosebleed.
To do this, the upper body should be elevated and the head bent forward and the nasal wings firmly pressed together for about 5 minutes. If this does not help, there is the possibility to stop the nosebleed in hospital, for example with a tamponade. The common cold is nothing more than a mostly viral inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.
The typical symptoms are runny nose, sneezing and impaired nasal breathing. In most cases no therapy is necessary, as spontaneous healing occurs within a week. Nasal sprays can be used as a support.
Sinusitis is usually caused by viruses. The inflammation can affect all sinuses. The main symptoms are a purulent nasal secretion, a general feeling of illness and a dull painful feeling of pressure over the affected paranasal sinus.
Decongestant nasal drops can be used for therapy and, if necessary, an antibiotic can also be used. Inflammation of the nose can occur in some clinical pictures. On the one hand, the mucous membrane of the nose can be inflamed.
Furthermore, the skin in the area of the nose can also become inflamed and lead to symptoms. The respective therapy depends on the underlying disease. Inflammations of the nasal mucous membranes usually occur in the context of a cold and are usually caused by viruses.
However, it can also have an allergic cause. Nasal mucosa inflammation results in increased discharge from the nose, sneezing and obstruction of nasal breathing. In most cases there is no therapy for a simple inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane.
Symptomatically, decongestant nasal sprays can be used. Polyps of the nose are swollen enlargements of the nasal mucosa. Above a certain size, these can lead to a closure of the nasal passages.
Symptoms of polyps are pronounced mouth breathing due to obstructed nasal breathing, snoring and a nasal voice. The diagnosis of polyps is made by an ENT physician. The therapy of choice is surgical removal of the polyps.
A nasal furuncle is caused by bacterial infection of a hair root in the nose. This is noticeable by pain and redness in this area. Depending on the extent of the furuncle, it can be treated with an antibiotic ointment.
In addition, adequate hygiene should be ensured and irritation of the nose should be avoided if possible. In the case of a swollen nose, a distinction must be made as to whether the outer or inner nose is swollen. A swelling of the nose from the outside is usually due to a blow or other trauma.A swelling from the inside is usually a swelling of the nasal mucosa, which can be caused by various factors such as a viral infection.
The therapy depends on the underlying cause of the swelling. Stinky nose is a degeneration of the nasal mucosa that occurs either spontaneously or after surgery or tumors of the nasal mucosa. Excessive use of nasal spray can also be a cause.
The symptoms are a purulent nasal secretion and an unpleasant odor from the nose, which, however, is not perceived by those affected. A number of operations are available for therapy. However, these can alleviate the symptoms but do not promise a cure.
