Rhinitis

Rhinitis is in itself a harmless disease, but it can also cause complications. For this reason, even a simple cold should be treated appropriately. To date, more than 100 different types of “rhinoviruses” are known. They are transmitted in the form of a “droplet infection” from person to person.

Rhinitis is triggered by viruses

The common cold is often a symptom of a cold. When someone who has the common cold sneezes, blows their nose, or coughs, millions of viruses are thrown through the air each time. The viruses then enter the respiratory tract of healthy people via the air they breathe. If the pathogens manage to take hold there, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. It swells and we can hardly breathe through our nose. At first, the rhinitis is thin and the nose runs constantly. Later, more viscous mucus is produced, which significantly hinders nasal breathing – the nose becomes blocked. A simple cold usually lasts for a week and the discomfort is primarily limited to the nose. Blocked nose – what to do? Tips and home remedies

Complication: sinusitis.

However, the common cold can also be a precursor to sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses. The first signs of sinusitis are when:

  • A cold is particularly persistent
  • A fever and/or headache are added and
  • No significant improvement occurs within eight days

The paranasal sinuses are involved in the classic common cold in all cases. However, only when isolated symptoms such as a severe headache occur, while the running cold is absent, one speaks of sinusitis. Sinusitis primarily affects adults.

Sinusitis: symptoms and treatment.

What happens in the body during this process? When you have a cold, the nasal mucosa swells. Due to the swelling of the nasal mucosa, the narrow connecting passages between the sinuses and the main cavity become almost completely blocked. Mucus can no longer drain through the nose and remains stuck in the sinuses. Pathogens can spread and cause inflammation. The following symptoms occur with sinusitis:

  • A feeling of pressure and pain in the area of the eyes, temples and the root of the nose are typical.
  • The pain begins in the morning, increases until noon and decreases slightly in the afternoon. They intensify when bending over.
  • In addition, there is a general malaise, often fever.

It is important to seek treatment from a doctor, because a sinusitis that is not or not adequately treated can lead to complications or even become chronic.

Other complications of rhinitis

In addition to sinusitis, other complications can occur with rhinitis:

  • In children, there is often insufficient ventilation of the middle ear, leading to the occurrence of otitis media.
  • If the sensitive nasal mucosa is damaged, for example, mechanically or by medication, the infection defense is thereby weakened and it can come to different courses, which can become chronic.
  • The nervous rhinitis is a hypersensitive state of the nasal mucosa with attack-like symptoms caused by various influences such as stress, alcohol, smoke, dust, temperature, humidity as well as medication. The symptomatology is similar to that of allergy-related hay fever.

Rhinitis: when to see a doctor?

The doctor must be visited when:

What helps against the common cold?

Rhinitis can have various causes, but the therapy is usually quite uniform: it is important to ensure a clear nose, for example, by the short-term use of decongestant nose drops or sprays. There are special preparations for small children and infants. But be careful: If decongestant nasal sprays are used for too long, there is a risk of nasal spray addiction. Therefore, such sprays should not be used for longer than seven days and not more than two or three times a day.Since dry mucous membranes increase susceptibility to pathogens, moisture is also particularly important. Measures to moisten the mucous membranes include room humidification and inhalations, as well as moisturizing nasal drops. This liquefies and removes viscous secretions that hinder breathing and promotes swelling of the nasal mucosa. In severe cases, mucolytic medications from the pharmacy can be used. However, home remedies such as warm chest compresses, nasal rinses with sea salt or inhalation with eucalyptus or sage often help. In any case, you should make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Preventive measures against the common cold

Here’s how you can prevent a cold:

  • Do not overheat rooms and keep the air well humidified; especially keep the bedroom cool
  • Ventilate rooms regularly
  • Moisten the nasal mucosa and flush out the pathogens by regular inhalation or moisturizing nasal sprays.
  • Blow your nose properly: Hold one nostril closed while blowing through the other.

In addition, of course, all measures that generally help to strengthen the immune system are advisable, such as a diet rich in vitamins and regular exercise, preferably in the fresh air.

Other causes and types of rhinitis

The common cold is not always caused by an infection with cold viruses. In addition, there are other causes of the common cold, such as:

  • Allergies: The best-known form of allergic rhinitis is hay fever, which is an allergy to pollen from grasses, trees or other plants. But also house dust, animal dander, molds or certain foods can trigger an allergic rhinitis.
  • Chronic rhinitis: chronic rhinitis can be triggered, for example, by a crooked nasal septum. But also certain drugs, smoking or air pollution are possible causes. If bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi are the triggers, the chronic rhinitis usually does not occur permanently, but again and again for a short time.
  • Polyps: Polyps are mucosal protrusions of the nasal mucosa, which can develop, for example, as a result of chronic inflammation of the mucosa. They often result in purulent rhinitis.
  • Drug rhinitis: regular use of decongestant nasal sprays can cause drug rhinitis, also known as nasal spray addiction.

Common cold: what helps with the symptoms?