Chronic rhinitis (chronic runny nose): symptoms
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Chronic catarrhal rhinitis
The main symptoms - difficulty in nasal breathing and discharge from the nose (rhinorrhea) - are moderately expressed. The patients usually do not complain about the difficulty of breathing, and only with a thorough questioning can they find out that their breathing is difficult from time to time. It should be noted that sometimes the difficulty of breathing worries the sick, but this symptom is not permanent. Difficulty breathing through the nose occurs more often in the cold, the most constant is the stuffiness of one half. In the supine position on the side, the congestion is more pronounced in that half of the nose, which is lower, which is explained by blood filling of the cavernous vessels of the underlying shells, the venous tone of which is weakened in chronic rhinitis. The nasal secretion is slimy, usually a little, but with the aggravation of the process it becomes purulent and plentiful. The violation of smell (hyposmia) is often temporary, usually associated with an increase in the amount of mucus.
Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis
The clinical picture of the disease depends on the form of rhinitis. However, the main complaint is the disruption of nasal breathing. With bone hyperplasia of the shells and diffuse fibromatous changes in its mucous membrane, the difficulty of breathing can be very pronounced and permanent. In the cavernous form, the nasal congestion of both halves of the nose may alternate. Limited forms of hyperplasia of the anterior ends of the shells are accompanied by a severe obstruction of nasal breathing, with a sharp thickening of the anterior lower nasal cancers squeeze the opening of the tear-nasal canal, which causes lacrimation, inflammation of the lacrimal sac and conjunctivitis.
When the posterior ends of the nasal concha (especially in the polypoid form of hypertrophy) change, a valve mechanism can occur, in which it is difficult to inhale or exhale. Hypertrophied posterior ends often squeeze the pharyngeal mouth of the auditory tubes, thereby evoking eustachyte (otosalpingitis). Hypertrophic lower nasal can press on the septum of the nose, which reflex causes a headache, nervous disorders. Patients with hypertrophic rhinitis sometimes complain about nasal discharge, which is explained by stagnant phenomena in the mucosa or concomitant catarrhal changes. In connection with the difficulty of nasal breathing, there may be a decrease in smell and taste, closed nasal.
Chronic atrophic rhinitis
Nonspecific chronic atrophic process of the nasal mucosa can be diffuse or limited. Often there is a slight atrophy of the mucous membrane, mainly the respiratory area of the nasal cavity - this process is sometimes called subatrophic rhinitis. Frequent symptoms of the disease include poor viscous mucous or mucopurulent discharge, which usually sticks to the mucosa and dries, resulting in the formation of crusts. The periodic obstruction of nasal breathing is associated with the accumulation of crusts in the general nasal passage, most often in its anterior part, the patients complain of dryness in the nose and pharynx, a decrease in some degree of smell. Cortex in the nose often causes itching, so the patient tries to remove them with a finger, which leads to damage to the mucous membrane, usually in the anterior part of the septum of the nose, the introduction of microorganisms and the formation of ulceration and even perforation. In connection with the rejection of crusts, small bleeding often occurs, usually from the Kisselbach zone.
Vasomotor rhinitis
For vasomotor rhinitis, a triad of symptoms is characteristic: paroxysmal sneezing, rhinorrhea and difficulty in nasal breathing. These symptoms are intermittent. Sneezing is usually associated with the appearance of itching in the nose, and sometimes in the mouth and throat. Discharge from the nose can be profuse watery or mucous. Often, seizures occur only after a dream or are repeated many times with a change in air temperature, food, overwork, emotional stress, increased blood pressure, etc. Vasomotor rhinitis is often accompanied by deterioration of the general condition, sleep disturbance, and some disturbance of the nervous system.
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