Rhinitis - what is this disease? In everyday life, it is called a runny nose. The phenomenon of a stuffy nose is familiar to us. Often, experiencing this state, we do not pay due attention to it. Of course, rhinitis is accompanied by not too pleasant sensations. With this disease, the head hurts and the nose turns red. There is a need to constantly change the handkerchief. In addition, one cannot avoid the sidelong glances of colleagues who are afraid of catching the virus.
What causes rhinitis?
What are the causes that cause sinus discharge? Traditionally, we associate them with the common cold. The phenomenon, which is usually referred to as snot, in medical terminology is listed as rhinitis. What is this pathology? This is an inflammatory process that covers the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity.
As a rule, this pathology is caused by viruses. But there are other reasons as well. They should be kept in mind when choosing the methods that you will use in the treatment of the disease, referred to as: rhinitis. What are these reasons? Nasal congestion can occur with strong temperature changes or low ambient temperatures. Acute intake can cause illnessfood or spices. The cause of a runny nose, especially in young patients, can be adenoids - growing tonsils. Tobacco smoke provokes rhinitis. This phenomenon is observed, as a rule, in passive smokers due to irritation of the nasal mucosa. A runny nose can also be caused by foreign bodies that have entered the respiratory passages.
Structural disorders provoke pathology. These include an incorrect configuration of the nasal septum. Allergy sufferers and patients with polyps on the mucous membranes suffer from rhinitis. A runny nose can occur from the presence of tumors of various etiologies in the nose.
Only a doctor can determine exactly what caused rhinitis. That is why when nasal congestion appears, you should not postpone a visit to the clinic. The effectiveness of treatment will directly depend on the correct diagnosis.
Pathology can occur in acute or chronic form. Depending on the type of disease, a specialist prescribes a certain course of therapy.
Acute form of pathology
In most cases (according to statistics, it is 70%), a runny nose that children or adolescents suffer from is a symptom of the flu or SARS. This is acute infectious rhinitis. This pathology is also typical for the adult population.
The disease in its development goes through three stages. The first of these is dry rhinitis. This is a reflex stage, when, when the body is overcooled, a decrease in immunity occurs. The vessels of the nasal mucosa expand sharply. At the first stage of the development of the disease, thisthe process is accompanied by dryness, and then swelling of the mucosa appears. He is the cause of nasal congestion.
At the second, catarrhal stage, viruses are activated on the mucosa. This provokes a large influx of blood caused by swelling of the tissues, which leads to discharge from the nasal glands.
During the third period of development of the pathology, the swelling of the mucosa subsides. The patient becomes easier to breathe, and the discharge from the nose becomes thick.
Chronic form of pathology
If the disease was not completely cured, then chronic rhinitis may develop. This form of pathology can be provoked by persistent allergies, blood supply failures in the nasal mucosa, or exposure to negative production factors.
