Causes of Chronic Rhinitis

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can rhinitis be cured completely?

There are many types of rhinitis, but in general, it is difficult to cure completely. Most cases of rhinitis focus on controlling and alleviating the condition. Common types of rhinitis include chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, and dry rhinitis. Generally, the treatment for these types of rhinitis primarily involves medication, with nasal sprays and oral medications being more commonly used. In daily life, using physiological saline to clean the nasal cavity can be considered, but the main focus is on controlling and alleviating the condition. From the existing methods, it is still difficult to achieve a complete cure, and there may be some recurrence. However, overall, the illness of rhinitis itself does not pose a significant danger to overall health; therefore, through conservative treatment, the condition can generally be stabilized and controlled well.

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Written by Li Rui
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.)

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Does cold medicine treat rhinitis?

Colds are mainly caused by the infection of our upper respiratory tract by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, etc. Rhinitis is usually related to infections, and a cold can trigger rhinitis. However, other factors, such as allergies or temperature changes, can also produce symptoms similar to a cold. Therefore, cold medicines often contain medications for treating rhinitis, so some patients experiencing rhinitis may find cold medicines to be effective. However, besides containing rhinitis medications, cold medicines also include fever reducers and vasoconstrictive cough suppressants. Thus, to treat rhinitis, it is still better to use proper rhinitis medications instead of substituting them with cold medicines. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor to avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What is the best treatment for chronic rhinitis?

There are quite a few treatment options for chronic rhinitis, which are mainly divided into two categories clinically. The first category is conservative medicinal treatment, and the second is surgical treatment. Based on existing clinical experience, the preferred approach is to primarily use conservative treatment, most commonly oral medications, generally focusing on traditional Chinese medicines. It is also recommended to use nasal sprays alongside, and consider using saline or seawater for nasal washes, which need to be performed regularly. If standardized medication treatment proves ineffective, surgery is considered, mainly for cases where the enlargement of the nasal turbinates is particularly significant. Surgical options may include turbinate ablation or a partial excision of the moved portion of the inferior turbinate. Overall, with standardized treatment, most patients can effectively control and alleviate their symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can rhinitis cause yellow nasal discharge?

Rhinits can cause the discharge of yellow nasal mucus. Rhinits is due to the symptoms in the nasal cavity and overall body caused by bacterial or viral infections when the body's immunity and resistance are low. The patient may experience sudden high fever, with body temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius, bilateral nasal congestion that alternates, and yellow purulent discharge from the nasal passages. Upon examination, significant congestion of the bilateral inferior turbinates can be detected, and yellow purulent discharge adhering inside the nasal cavity can be found. In terms of treatment, patients first need to undergo a routine blood test. If there is an increase in white blood cells, bacterial infection should be considered, and oral antibiotics should be administered. If there is an increase in lymphocytes, a viral infection should be considered, and antiviral medications should be taken orally. Additionally, patients should adhere to a light diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, and rest well for gradual recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)