How to treat nasal discharge?

Methods of treating a runny nose:

• Nasal vasoconstrictors (drops, sprays).
• Nose massage.
• Irrigation of the nasal cavity with antiseptic solutions.
• Moisturizing the nasal mucosa by lubricating it with special products.
• Inhalations.
• Drug treatment according to indications, in cases of viral, bacterial inflammation of the nasopharynx.

Medicines

List of drugs for the treatment of rhinitis:

• Nasal vasoconstrictors.
• Antiviral drugs.
• Antibacterial drugs.
• Sprays that thin mucus in case of sticky runny nose.
• Antihistamines for allergic rhinitis.
• Hormonal drugs.

Medicines that can help treat a runny nose:

Mucus thinning medications:

• Sinuforte. A natural homeopathic preparation. It is indicated for children aged 11-12. It is effective for sinusitis and atrophic rhinitis. Inject 2-3 doses twice a day for adults. The dosage for teenagers can be reduced. The course of treatment is 14 days.
• Rinoflumucil spray. Also sprayed into the nasal cavity to thin mucus. Apply 7-10 days three times a day, 1-2 sprays. The spray is convenient and is prescribed even to children under 3 years old, starting from 1 year.
• Pinosol. Natural composition, safety of use has made this drug popular for many years. The only downside is that Pinosol is not indicated for allergic rhinitis. Pinosol is dripped 1-2 drops into each nasal passage, at least 3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts a week.

Antibacterial treatment:

• Polydexa is a solution with dexamethasone. It is indicated as an antimicrobial drug. It is not prescribed to children under 15-16 years of age, for heart diseases, nephropathy. It is indicated for 3-5 injections per day for 1 dose for 5 days.
• Bioparox. Inhalation agent with a clearly expressed antimicrobial effect. Not prescribed to allergy sufferers and children under 3 years of age. Spray 2 doses into each nostril 3-4 times a day - for adults. Children - 1 dose into each nasal passage 3 times a day.

Nasal drops for nasal discharge

Nasal products are one of the most popular pharmacy categories among buyers. Nasal drops for nasal discharge are bought every day, often independently, without a doctor's recommendation. Of course, the main task of nasal preparations is to restore normal breathing. However, uncontrolled use of drops is fraught with the development of atrophy of the mucous tissue of the nasal cavity. Chronic protracted rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis is much more difficult to treat and takes longer than its initial stage. Parents of small children should be especially careful. Vasoconstrictor drugs are the drugs of last resort in the treatment of childhood rhinitis. It is more effective to use homeopathy, folk recipes as prescribed by a pediatrician.

The basic components of nasal drops are the following substances:

• Oxymetazoline;
• Naphazolinum (nafosalin);
• Xylometazoline hydrochloride.

These are decongestants (vasoconstrictors), alpha-adreno stimulants, adrenomimetics. The task of nasal drops is to free breathing and activate normal production of nasal mucus.

Nasal drops can be divided into groups:

1. Rinonorm, Galazolin, Xymelin, Otrivin... They work for up to 4 hours, freeing breathing.
2. Vicks Active, Nazivin, Nazomax, Nazol, Noxivin, Fervex. Drops have different concentrations of the basic substance, which allows them to be prescribed to adult patients and children. The effect of use lasts 10-12 hours. This group is contraindicated in diabetes, pregnancy and breastfeeding, nephropathy and severe liver pathologies. The drug is convenient to instill into the nose at night to restore sleep and general health.
3. Naphthyzinum, Nazin, Sanorin, Rinosept, Nazolin. Of the listed drugs, Sanorin is considered the safest, as it does not cause resistance (addiction) and has virtually no contraindications. The effectiveness of some drugs in this group is up to 6 hours of normal nasal breathing.

If we analyze the groups of nasal drops, they should be differentiated not only by the active ingredient, but also by the time of effectiveness:

• Short-term effect – Naphthyzinum, Sanorin, Otrivin.
• Medium duration of action – Rinostop, Galazolin.
• Long-lasting result – Nazol, Vicks Active.

The smallest patients should not be prescribed and dripped with vasoconstrictor nose drops. For them, there is safe Aquamaris, which is dripped 4-5 times a day, one drop in each nostril. In case of viral infection, the development of the disease can be stopped with leukocyte interferon in the form of a solution for instillation. Pediatricians also recommend Euphorbium, Humer. Please note that nasal drops should be used carefully, observing the rules of hygiene and storage conditions of the drug according to the instructions.

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Vitamins

Maintaining active immune protection is one of the important tasks in the complex treatment of rhinitis. Vitamins in this sense are irreplaceable as simple, affordable drugs that are not only necessary for immunity, but also have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body.

What vitamins are recommended if signs of rhinitis appear?

• Vitamin B, the whole group. Vitamins B are especially useful for vasomotor rhinitis associated with a disorder of the nervous system.
• Vitamin C, as well as ascorutin to strengthen the walls of blood vessels in the nasal cavity.
• Vitamin A, responsible for normal tissue regeneration, restoring the activity of local immunity.
• Vitamin E. It is often recommended as a nasal remedy if the vitamin is purchased in liquid form. This method relieves nasal congestion and prevents drying of the mucous tissue of the cavity.
• Vitamin D is effective as a drug that increases the protective threshold against various types of respiratory infections.
• A combination of the trace element zinc with ascorbic acid helps to cope with rhinitis. This combination provides antioxidant and antiviral action.

Also, don't forget about vitamin-enriched drinks, fruit drinks, and compotes. Rosehip decoctions (vitamin C, E, K, A), cranberries, black currants, and citrus juices are useful.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy is included in the list of complex treatments for chronic rhinitis.

Physiotherapy is an additional method that reinforces the basic course of treatment. The following procedures are effective in helping to speed up recovery from a runny nose:

• UFO - ultraviolet irradiation of areas of the nose prescribed by the doctor.
• Inhalations - oil, phytoncidal, alkaline, thermal (steam), oil-adrenal.
• UHF currents.
• Microcurrent exposure (externally).
• MWT - microwave therapy.
• Hardware aeration.
• Light therapy.
• Information-wave device Azor-IK.
• Electrophoresis (simple or with drugs).
• Electroaerosols.
• Quantum hemotherapy.
• Laser irradiation (IFL) according to indications.

The main goal of physiotherapy treatment for nasal discharge is to consolidate the results of the general course of therapy and minimize the risk of complications.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are extremely popular, used by more than half of all people suffering from a runny nose. Folk treatment involves not only herbal medicine, but also self-massage of biologically active zones, warming up the nose and feet, inhalations with essential oils, irrigation of the nasal cavity with home-made products.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with the most effective folk methods of treating rhinitis:

• Massage the points near the wings of the nose, above the eyebrows, under the nose. Press lightly, with a rotational movement, on the specified area, massaging the skin. This improves the blood supply to important areas, improves breathing and reduces the risk of developing chronic rhinitis.
• Warming up your feet with salt. Pour salt into a heat-resistant container, preheating it in a frying pan to a tolerable temperature. Place your feet in the salt and keep them there for at least 10 minutes. There are BAPs (biologically active points) on your feet, and activating them increases overall immune protection and speeds up recovery in general.
• Lubricating the nasal cavity with aloe juice is a folk remedy that has long been known even to doctors. Aloe helps normalize the moisture level of the nose, regenerates irritated areas of the mucous membrane and acts as an antiseptic.
• Cleaning the room with essential oils is useful during a flu epidemic. In addition, inhaled ether significantly improves breathing and eliminates nasal congestion. Aromatization with orange, bergamot, lavender, pine, and cedar oils is recommended. The oil can be used in a special aroma lamp, but can also be sprinkled in the corners of the room (1-2 drops).
• Make a decoction of chamomile and yarrow (1 teaspoon of each herb per 250 ml of water, boil for 15 minutes). A ready-made remedy made from these components, Rotokan, is sold in pharmacies. Use cotton swabs to lubricate the nasal passages as an antiseptic, antibacterial agent.

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Herbal treatment

Phytotherapy is really effective as a method of treating many diseases. Herbal treatment is also indicated for a runny nose.

Let us give an example of the most healing decoctions and infusions recommended by medical practitioners:

1. Calendula (marigold) is an excellent antibacterial method to prevent complications from rhinitis. A teaspoon of dried flowers is steamed with a glass of boiling water, cooled, filtered and 1-2 drops are instilled into each nasal passage. Herbal treatment is usually long-term, so calendula can be used for about 10-14 days.
2. Eucalyptus increases the resistance of local tissue immunity cells. You can buy a ready-made infusion at a pharmacy or make it yourself. Take a tablespoon of dry leaves, pour cold water over them and leave for an hour. Then bring the liquid to a boil (no more than 2-3 minutes). After an hour, the decoction is ready for use. It should be used to generously irrigate the nasal cavity. Eucalyptus can restore airflow and eliminate nasal congestion due to the active essential oils it contains. The course of treatment with eucalyptus lasts about a week.
3. A mixture of yarrow and chamomile is sold in the pharmacy under the name "Rotokan". But no less effective remedy is prepared at home. Take 1 teaspoon of chamomile and yarrow flowers, steam with boiling water (500 ml) and leave to cool. Strain the decoction, dip a cotton swab in it and generously lubricate the nasal cavity (each nasal passage). The procedure is repeated three times a day for 5-7 days. Result - nasal congestion is removed, the mucous membrane of the nose is disinfected.
4. Allergic rhinitis is relieved by a decoction of wild rosemary, violet, calamus root and santonica seed. Place 50 grams of each ingredient in an enamel container and pour 1 liter of boiling water over it. Leave for an hour, strain and take internally as a tonic that absorbs allergens. The same decoction can be used to irrigate the nasal cavity externally.

Homeopathy

The initial stage of a runny nose, especially in children, is well treated with homeopathy. Indications for treatment with homeopathic remedies, dosage and regimen are prescribed by a specialist with experience and appropriate qualifications. The information below is provided for informational purposes, not for self-medication.

Types of runny nose, homeopathy:

• Copious nasal discharge with fever. Tincture of Virginia yellow jasmine, Gelsemium. Indicated for adult patients only. Dilution in a 1/6 ratio, use as a nasal agent should be carried out with great caution. The drug can provoke vascular spasm and respiratory arrest. Self-medication with Gelsemium is unacceptable. There is a variant of another form of Gelsemium, more gentle - Gelsemium Homaccord, from Hel. Standard prescription - 8-10 drops in the morning and evening before meals. The drug is indicated for diagnosing vasomotor rhinitis.
• The initial stage of a runny nose is well treated with the combined homeopathic preparation Aconitum (aconite). The remedy is used sublingually (under the tongue) half an hour before meals. If mucus is released from the nose in combination with temperature, the prescription is 6-8 granules 5 times a day with equal intervals. After 3 days, the dosage is left, but the frequency of administration is reduced, gradually reducing it to 2 times a day. The course of treatment lasts at least 14 days. Aconite can provoke an allergy, it is also contraindicated in low blood pressure, pregnancy and children under 14 years of age.
• Nasal congestion, scanty nasal discharge. Nux Vomica Gommakord works well in such conditions. This complex effective remedy has no contraindications and can be prescribed to babies over 1 year old. The dosage for children is 5-9 drops per day. A child over two years old can drink up to 15 drops per day in equal doses. Adult patients can safely drink up to 30 drops per day at short intervals. The drug is available in the form of granules, but it is most convenient to use the liquid form.
• The homeopathic spray Euphorbium Compositum is also popular and is indicated even for infants. The spray is able to restore respiratory function, gently moisturizes the mucous tissue of the nose, and acts as a prolonged antiseptic. Euphorbium is prescribed for all types of vasomotor rhinitis. Adults spray each nostril twice, up to 5 times a day. For seasonal allergic rhinitis, it is recommended to use the spray 1-2 weeks before the flowering of plants and herbs.

Surgical treatment

Nasal discharge, rhinitis in otolaryngology are divided into two broad categories - acute rhinitis and chronic, which has its own subtypes. Rhinitis is considered a sign of a viral or bacterial process and in most cases does not require surgical intervention. Conservative methods successfully cope with a runny nose within 7-10 days. Surgical treatment is more often indicated for chronic variants that are fraught with or already have serious complications. A protracted form of mucous discharge that does not respond to rinsing, nasal preparations and even treatment with tablet antibiotics requires surgery. In medical practice, ENT surgery is always the method of choice when all other methods are ineffective.

Surgical treatment is indicated when diagnosing the following conditions, one of the symptoms of which is chronic rhinitis:

• Vasomotor rhinitis that is not controlled by medications in nasal or tablet form.
• Hypertrophy of the concha nasalis (nasal turbinates).
• Deformation, mechanical or congenital, of the septum nasi (nasal septum).
• Nasal polypus (polyps).
• Sinusitis (sinusitis) and its types – hemisinusitis, ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis, frontal sinusitis, pansinusitis, maxillary sinusitis.
• Perforation of the nasal septum – pathological or traumatic origin.
• Cysta sinus maxillaris (maxillary sinus cyst).
• Obstruction of the canaliculus lacrimalis, blockage of the lacrimal ducts, accompanied by constant nasal discharge.
• Foreign bodies entering the nasal passages.

The choice of method by which surgical treatment is carried out depends on many factors:

• Age and health status of the patient.
• The degree of hypertrophy of the mucous membrane tissue.
• Level of respiratory distress, degree of cavitas nasi obstruction.
• Risks of developing severe complications.

Possible surgical treatment options:

1. Rhinoplasty in combination with septoplasty for correction of the nasal septum.
2. Conchotomy - cauterization, coagulation using a laser.
3. Laser reduction of nasal cavities.
4. Vasotomy (surgery on the microvessels of the nasal cavity).
5. Cryosurgery.
6. Removal of polyps – polypectomy.
7. Endoscopic sinus surgery.
8. Laser mucotomy (bloodless operation to burn out hypertrophied areas of the nasal cavity).
9. Insertion of implants that narrow the nasal passages in case of ozena diagnosis.

Surgical treatment can be presented in the form of such a table:

View	Similar procedures, synonyms	What's happening	Task
Cauterization Cauterization	Cauterization. Electrocoagulation	An electric current supplied to a surgical instrument (probe), heating it to a predetermined temperature	Cauterization of designated areas of tissue of the nasal mucosa.
Diathermy	Endothermy, Radio wave reduction, coagulation, Vasotomy	A high-frequency current is used, which generates a directional radio wave.	A radio wave passes through the designated area of tissue, destroying it with instant heating.
Cold plasma coblation	Cold plasma reduction Cold coblation	An operation using a conductive liquid, non-thermal, risk-free, similar to an excimer laser.	In the area of action of the instrument, a zone of cold plasma is formed, resulting in the destruction of the molecular bonds of protein compounds.
Laser vasotomy	Laser conchotomy, reduction, coagulation	Laser radiation	Rapid heating of the designated area of tissue, its destruction by the directed action of a laser beam
Ultrasound, ultrasonic destruction	UZV (vasotomy), disintegration	Ultrasound-guided surgery	Destruction of a tissue area using targeted ultrasound
Submucous vasotomy	Electrosurgical submucosal vasotomy Radiosurgical submucosal vasotomy Surgical submucosal vasotomy	The effect of an electrode, scalpel or laser on the vessels of the nasal cavity	The pathological connection of vessels in the area between the perichondrium of the nasal cavity and the mucous tissue is dissected
Shaver vasotomy	Microdebrider vasotomy, conchotomy, reduction	Operation with electromechanical instrumentation (microdebrider)	Reduction of the concha nasalis inferior (lower nasal concha), depending on the indications, the mucous tissue is preserved or removed
Cryoprocedure	Cryodestruction	Effect of extremely low temperatures	Directed action of low temperature on the selected hypertrophied area of the nasal mucosa

The effectiveness of surgical treatment is obvious, it restores the ability to breathe normally, the brain receives a sufficient amount of oxygen, many negative symptoms and ailments go away. After a low-trauma surgical operation, the patient must be observed by a doctor for about six months.