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Runny nose, or more specifically, rhinitis, is a condition in which, due to the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, an excessive amount of discharge accumulates in it, which impairs its patency, causes sneezing, and often also leads to the loss or weakening of the smell and taste.
Characteristics of a runny nose (rhinitis)
Runny nose is a very common symptom coexisting with infections of the upper respiratory tract. It is even an indispensable symptom of a cold, it accompanies sinusitis.
Nasal discharge can vary. In the course of viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, but also in allergic diseases, it takes the colorless, often watery mucous form. It should be borne in mind that as the symptoms of colds disappear, the discharge from the nose changes its character, often thickens and becomes darker, often greenish. If this change in the secretion is not accompanied by a deterioration of the patient’s well-being or an increase in the symptoms of paranasal sinusitis, the diagnosis of purulent rhinitis should not be carried out and antibiotic therapy should not be started on this basis. This kind of thickening and changing the nature of the nasal discharge is a sign of recovery in this case. However, when at the beginning the transparent discharge changes its appearance to purulent, yellowish or even brown, which is accompanied by a deterioration of the patient’s well-being, the appearance of low-grade fever and fever, and symptoms of paranasal sinusitis (mainly heavy feeling around the base of the nose, pain in the frontal or buccal area, increasing with tilting, a feeling of discharge running down the back of the throat), consult your doctor who will consider the indications for the use of an antibiotic. Sinusitis complicates about 2% of colds.
Another type of runny nose are allergic rhinitis. It is a condition that affects people who are allergic to various types of allergens. Due to the duration of symptoms and the period of their occurrence, allergic rhinitis is distinguished: seasonal (e.g. in case of allergy to pollen) and all-year-round (e.g. in case of allergy to dust). The main difference between infectious and allergic rhinitis is the lack of coexistence of infection symptoms (such as fever, cough, joint and muscle pain) in the case of allergies and its association with exposure to an allergen. Symptoms only appear at the time of contact with the sensitizing substance.
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You should also remember about drug-induced Cathar. Sometimes, topical nasal decongestants are used to treat the symptoms of rhinitis – if taken for too long, they may cause dysregulation of nasal secretion. The most common result is a relapse of the runny nose and the production of an excessive amount of discharge when the drug is discontinued. As a consequence, the patient is forced to constantly administer the drug, which creates a vicious cycle.
Runny nose (rhinitis) – treatment
Treatment of a runny nose can be divided into symptomatic treatment, designed to reduce the severity of a runny nose and relieve discomfort, and causal treatment, reserved in fact to the situation of bacterial infections and the existence of allergies subject to treatment by the so-called desensitization.
In the symptomatic treatment of a runny nose, medications that remove excess secretions from the nose are used. This is a wide variety of over-the-counter saline nasal rinses. Among them, attention is drawn to hypertonic preparations, i.e. with a salt concentration higher than physiological, which remove the secretions more effectively, causing also partial contraction of the nasal mucosa. However, they can often cause a feeling of quite unpleasant local irritation.
In case of a runny nose, buy a runny nose gel with marjoram extract, which will relieve symptoms and help you recover faster. In turn, the essential oils present in the BIO cold lotion with Propolia BeeYes propolis facilitate breathing. To moisturize and cleanse the nasal vestibules, it is worth ordering Octenisan md – nasal gel. To reduce runny nose, you can also drink Ecological Mint Syrup, which is available in bottles of 270 ml.
Runny nose (rhinitis) – medications
Various types can also be used topically nasal decongestants in the form of over-the-counter drops. However, it should be remembered that the use of this type of preparation should be short-term and limited to the necessary minimum. Although they bring immediate relief, when used chronically, they paradoxically lead to disturbances in the secretion of the mucosa and worsening of a runny nose after their discontinuation, despite the disappearance of the symptoms of the infection.
Oral medications to treat a runny nose work well over-the-counter pseudoephedrine, also part of many common cold medications. The mechanism of action of this preparation also consists in contracting the nasal mucosa and reducing the amount of secretions. However, it is a drug with many other systemic effects. It affects, inter alia, the circulatory system and the heart and is contraindicated in people with cardiological stress.
Check how Nasonex works – an aerosol used in ENT and ENT
Topical application is also increasingly included in recommendations for the treatment of rhinitis anti-inflammatory steroid drugs. They are the treatment of choice in chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. They have also recently been included in the guidelines for the treatment of acute infections caused by infection, although the evidence of their effectiveness in these indications is not fully confirmed. The doctor decides whether to initiate this type of treatment.
It is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis antihistaminesand in the case of a well-documented sensitization, an attempt may be made with specific immunotherapy, i.e. desensitizing the patient. This type of treatment is carried out by an allergist.
Home remedies to fight a runny nose
Homemade methods of fighting a runny nose involve the use of substances that are completely safe and safe to use. This is especially important in the fight against a runny nose in children. Homemade ways to fight a runny nose are widely available and easy to use, and most importantly, they are based on natural ingredients.
A home remedy for a runny nose can be rinsing the nose with isotonic sodium chloride solution (0,9%) or sea waterwhich we can buy without any problems. The salt causes the water to be drawn out of the cells while reducing congestion and swelling. Thanks to this, our airways are opened and it is easier for us to breathe. Additionally, rinsing the nose with sea waterallows for its cleansing of residual secretions, removes viruses and moisturizes the nasal mucosa.
A pear can also be used to get rid of nasal secretions, because it is not only a device for babies. Qatar STOP pear for adults is available on Medonet Market.
You can also apply ready-made spray with applicatorwhich contains NaCl solution or seawater. It makes it easier to rinse your nose. Moreover, it can be used ampoulesthat contain ready-made solution or kits for self-preparation. When applying the ampoules, tilt the head slightly to the side and insert the preparation into the nostril which is located higher. Then blow your nose and repeat this action, changing sides.
Another great way to fight a runny nose are inhalations. It is enough to pour essential oils, e.g. pine, mint or eucalyptus oil into a bowl and pour boiling water over it. It is also beneficial chamomile or sage infusion. The prepared mixture should be inhaled through the nose and exhale through the mouth for about 5 minutes, by putting a towel on the head beforehand. Inhalations reduce the swelling of the mucosa, and the blocked nasal passages and nostrils facilitate the outflow of secretions. You can also use an inhaler.
At Medonet Market you can buy, for example, a Nebulizer – Neno Sente compressor inhaler or a Neno Bene mobile nebulizer.
Essential oils work well in the fight against a runny nose in a young child. They can be added to the bath, as well as sprinkled on bed linen or tissues, which helps to breathe freely. Recently, patches stuck to a child’s clothes are popular, in which there are pine and eucalyptus oils, they can be used in the morning and at night. In addition to the patches, in young children, you can also use the gel to massage into the skin of the chest.
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