Atrophic rhinitis symptoms and treatment in adults reviews

The runny nose will disappear in a matter of days. Try this remedy...

Causes of the disease

This prevalence of subatrophic rhinitis is associated with negative environmental factors:

excessive dryness of the ambient air (place of work or living space);
living in a dry and hot climate;
high dust content;
work in hazardous working conditions (miners, builders, cladding workers);
staying in smoky rooms.

The occurrence of subatrophic rhinitis is also associated with surgical interventions (laser correction of the mucous membrane, plastic surgery, restoration of the septum, etc.) or traumatic injuries.

The endogenous causes of the formation of this pathology include:

Long-term uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops.
Chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract increase the likelihood of developing rhinitis.
The unstable state of the central nervous system can enhance the clinical manifestations of various diseases and exacerbation of the chronic process.
Hormonal imbalance and long-term use of glucocorticosteroids also lead to malnutrition of the mucous membrane.

It is quite difficult to clearly identify a number of endogenous factors that will necessarily provoke the development of subatrophic (simple) rhinitis. However, when choosing a treatment method, the ENT doctor takes into account not only the life history, but also the general condition of the whole organism. For this disease, an individual approach provides the best results.

Etiology

Atrophic rhinitis is initially divided into two types: primary and secondary. The exact causes of the appearance of the primary stage of the disease are still not identified by medicine. But what concerns the secondary stage of rhinitis is easier to explain. It develops from exposure to negative environmental factors, as well as from problems with the human body.

Scientists claim that among the factors provoking rhinitis there may be some infectious (tuberculosis, syphilis, lupus), autoimmune diseases, as well as nutritional deficiencies, radiation therapy, hormonal imbalance, chronic sinusitis, infections (P. vulgaris, Klebsiella ozaenae, E. coli , diphtheroids), deficiency of vitamins A, D, pathologies of the digestive system.

In children, atrophic rhinitis (symptoms and treatment will be described below) develops against the background of psychogenic stress during puberty, decreased immune resistance, vitamin deficiencies, poor social conditions, unbalanced nutrition, and disturbances in the level of hormones in the blood.

Domestic (fracture of the nasal bones) and surgical (galvanocaustics, removal of foreign bodies, conchotomy, nasal reposition, opening of the ethmoidal labyrinth cells, prolonged nasal tamponade, adenotomy, polypotomy) injuries have a detrimental effect on the vascularization and trophism of the nasal mucosa. Atrophic rhinitis can also occur as a result of irradiation of angimatous neoplasms in the nasal cavity, long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs.

Pathogenesis of the disease

Due to disruption of tissue trophism, the number of goblet cells is significantly reduced. Normally, they are responsible for the production of mucous secretions and moisturize the nasal passages, protecting the tissues from drying out and the formation of crusts, cracks or even ulcers. And with dystrophic changes in the epithelium, the secretion that the remaining cells produce is not enough.

Constant drying out of the mucous membrane leads to the clinical symptoms for which the patient seeks medical help.

Clinical picture of the disease

Subatrophic rhinitis is not an independent disease and is not coded in the international classification of diseases. Clinicians consider this condition as one of the stages of atrophic rhinitis.

The disease is manifested by the formation of dry crusts in the nasal passages, the removal of which may cause bleeding of the mucous membrane. Patients complain of discomfort during nasal breathing and impaired sense of smell. In addition to atrophy of the mucous membrane itself, the structure of the nerve endings is also disrupted. Due to incorrect or insufficient signal transmission from the olfactory receptors, many patients cease to smell at all.

With a long course of the disease, other symptoms may appear - itching and a burning sensation, and when inhaling, the patient is bothered by a slight tingling sensation.

The main reason a person seeks help is discomfort during nasal breathing.

Causes and types of disease

In order for the treatment of atrophic rhinitis to be successful, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the course of this disease.

The clinical manifestations of the pathology consist in the fact that changes gradually occur in the internal nasal cavity at the cellular and tissue level. But, if appropriate treatment is prescribed in the early stages, the disease can be prevented in time.

There are different types of atrophic rhinitis.

These include:

Hormone;
metabolic;
trophoneurotic;
functional;
arising under the influence of external factors.

Typically, atrophic rhinitis is characterized by mixed symptoms. Most often, its causes are an unfavorable environmental situation, uncontrolled use of local drugs against the common cold, or a lack of vitamins in the body. Very often the trigger for the disease is lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or endocrine pathologies.

It can also develop under the influence of mineral deficiency, complications after radiation therapy or menopause.

The cause of local processes leading to atrophy of the mucous membrane is sometimes also a fracture of the skull bones, trauma, an unsuccessful medical procedure or an error during cosmetic surgery.

A significant weakening of the immune system greatly favors the development of atrophic rhinitis. Therefore, the triggering factor may be a stomach ulcer, thyroid dysfunction, or frequent colds.
In children, the most common cause of this disease is infection, genetic inheritance or autoimmune processes.
Such factors lead to the development of chronic runny nose, changes in the vascular wall of the nose and a strong inflammatory process. They cause degeneration of the mucous membrane, lead to insufficient flow of nutrients to it through the bloodstream and a deficiency of elements that promote tissue regeneration.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnosis of subatrophic rhinitis can be made based on external changes in the mucous membrane. In order to suspect this condition, it is enough to correctly collect a life history (for example, long-term use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops) and find out the disturbing symptoms.

Anterior rhinoscopy allows you to examine in detail the damaged mucosa, formed crusts, hyperemic mucosa, ulcers or cracks. Thanks to the flush from the nasal cavity, the cellular composition of the mucus can be examined microscopically. With subatrophic rhinitis, eosinophils, neutrophils and numerous dead epithelial cells predominate in the washout. When pathogenic flora is added, the pathogen culture can also be isolated. All this data is important for determining treatment tactics and prognosis.

Diagnostics: basic methods

Based on the symptoms and results of anterior rhinoscopy, the ENT specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. The inner anterior walls of the patient's nasal pyramid will be pale, with dried secretions, and thinned.

Then, during the examination, the doctor will be able to assess the condition of the membrane, how far the pathological changes have spread, and what stage it is at the moment.

In addition, it is important to check the sensitivity of the olfactory receptors. If the patient has partial or complete anosmia, then a diagnosis of dry rhinitis can be made.

Why is it recommended to rinse the nose with saline solutions?

The main directions in the treatment of the depleted state of the secretion zone are:

Stimulation of local blood circulation.
Supplying the organ with essential nutrients.
Moisturizes and prevents crust formation.
Destruction of pathogenic microflora.

Rinsing the nasopharynx with saline components Topical preparations that contain microelements important for the body allow you to regulate the functional properties of the epithelial layer.

It is believed that the following elements can increase the motor activity of ciliated cilia: calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper.

Salt rinsing is prescribed if the runny nose is allergic or vasomotor, subatrophic or infectious, since it has several healing properties:

Has an antiseptic effect, washing out allergens, dust, and infections from the cavity;
Accelerates the healing of microcracks and damage;
Strengthens blood vessels;
Supplies the necessary chemical elements.

You can prepare solutions from sea salt yourself or buy ready-made preparations. The frequency of manipulations and the duration of physiotherapy are selected by the ENT specialist.

to the content?

Treatment

The success of therapy for subatrophic and atrophic rhinitis largely depends on the stage of the disease at which the patient seeks medical help. With proper treatment, it is possible to restore the functional layer of goblet cells.

There are a number of general recommendations that are mandatory for every patient:

If possible, reduce the influence of external environmental factors (dust, dry air, harmful particles) as much as possible.
It is advisable to spend time outdoors every day and visit open bodies of water.
Include physical exercise in your daily routine (give preference to running or swimming).
Equip your living space with a humidifier.
When working in dusty areas, use a respirator or cotton-gauze mask. With their help, you can significantly reduce the penetration of microparticles onto the delicate mucous membrane.

Prevention measures

To avoid relapse of the disease, you should adhere to preventive measures.

It is necessary to avoid hypothermia, if a cold develops, immediately begin treatment and use any medications only as prescribed by a doctor.
You need to keep the room clean, ventilate it regularly and spend time in the fresh air more often.
The state of the body's defenses should be maintained at the proper level. To do this, you need to eat a balanced diet, exercise, and give up bad habits.
From birth, it is advisable to accustom a child to water and other procedures that help strengthen the body. The whole family needs to go to nature, walk in pine forests and spend a couple of weeks at sea in the summer.

Chronic atrophic rhinitis in adults and children is quite amenable to long-term, systematic and complex treatment.

If you apply the whole range of preventive measures, then the occurrence of the disease in a child can be prevented altogether, and in their parents, during its development, the likelihood of developing complications can be significantly reduced.

Timely identified pathology after therapy contributes to the regeneration of the nasal mucosa and the complete recovery of the patient.

Local treatment

Ointments and sprays will help reduce dryness.
For the treatment of subatrophic rhinitis, preference is given to nasal drops, sprays and ointments. With their help, you can significantly reduce the dryness of the mucous membrane, restore the normal microflora of the nasal sinuses and reduce the negative impact of pathogenic microorganisms.

But before instilling the drops, it is necessary to clear the nasal passages of crusts. Under no circumstances should you tear them off! The injured mucous membrane takes a long and painful time to recover. It is best to soak the formations using saline solutions. Aquamaris or a simple saline solution are perfect for this purpose.

Ointments based on inert petrolatum oil have a moisturizing effect. For example, iodine-glycerin ointment not only moisturizes tissues, but also promotes moisture retention.

You can use cotton swabs soaked in a special solution of essential oil and healing herbal decoction. Peach, apricot or olive oil are perfect for this purpose, since they do not contain extremely aggressive essential oils that could further irritate the mucous membranes.

Rinsing the nasal passages with diluted aloe juice helps flush out pathogenic flora and improves the condition of the mucous membrane. This remedy improves tissue trophism and cell regenerative abilities.

Treatment of atrophic rhinitis

Simple AR is characterized by the following symptoms:

reduction of mucus discharge;
tendency to form crusts, but odorless;
difficulty breathing through the nose;
feeling of dryness in the nose;
decreased sense of smell;
slight nosebleeds;
irritability, general weakness.

The disease can manifest itself as small nosebleeds.
Ozena is characterized by a sharp atrophy of the mucous membrane and bone walls of the nasal cavity. Rough crusts with a very unpleasant odor quickly form on the walls. After they are removed, the foul odor disappears for a while until new crusts form. At the same time, the patient himself does not feel this smell due to atrophy of the receptor zone of the olfactory analyzer.

As the atrophic process spreads to the pharynx, larynx and trachea, hoarseness develops, an obsessive cough appears and breathing becomes difficult.

As a result of bone atrophy, the external nose can become deformed, the bridge of the nose sinks and a duck-shaped nose develops.

Treatment of AR includes frequent rinsing of the nasal cavity with physiological or hypertonic solution, as well as preparations based on sea salt (Dolphin, Aqualor). For better cleansing of mucus, secretions and crusts during rinsing, you can use a nasal aspirator. Also, to facilitate the removal of crusts, tampons soaked in olive, sea buckthorn or peach oil are inserted into the nasal cavity.

To rinse the nasal cavity, preparations based on sea salt, in particular Dolphin, can be used.
In order to enhance the functions of the mucous glands, the walls of the nasal cavity can be lubricated with Lugol's solution.

To reduce the atrophic process, oil drops and emollient ointments (vaseline, lanolin, naphthalene) are used, which are introduced into the nasal cavity.

When a pathogenic pathogen is identified, taking into account sensitivity, systemic and local antibacterial therapy is selected (tetracycline series, chloramphenicol group).

Other therapies:

treatment of concomitant diseases, iron deficiency anemia;
exposure to helium-neon laser (to stimulate trophism of the nasal mucosa);
general stimulating treatment: vitamin therapy, autohemotherapy, protein therapy, injections of aloe extract, pyrogenal;
vaccine therapy: a vaccine made from bacteria growing in the nasal cavity of patients with ozena.

In some cases, palliative surgery is indicated

autocartilage, umbilical cord, amniotic membranes. Cancellous bone plates, fat, Teflon, nylon, acrylic plastic, and alloplastic antimicrobial polymer can also be used. Due to stimulation of the nasal mucosa after surgery, the hydration of the nasal mucosa improves, the number of crusts and the foul odor decreases.

Traditional methods of treating ozena (vegetable oils, aloe juice, mint, sage, seaweed, honey) can be used only after consultation with a specialist against the background of the prescribed primary treatment.

Atrophic rhinitis is very insidious, develops gradually, and therefore people do not immediately pay attention to nasal congestion. As a result, an inflammatory process of the nasopharyngeal mucosa begins, which most often becomes chronic. To prevent this, it is important to start comprehensive treatment as early as possible. Do not forget that the treatment process should be supervised by an experienced otolaryngologist.

Medication

Vitamin therapy plays an important role in drug treatment. In addition, it is possible to use various stimulating drugs (aloe, phytin, rutin, calcium gluconate). It would not be superfluous to use products that improve microcirculation. Doctors resort to the use of angioprotectors that can improve the condition of the nasal mucosa. Such angioprotectors include: agapurine and pentoxifylline.

In patients with the previously mentioned diagnosis, processes of iron metabolism disturbance in the body are often noted. If this fact is confirmed, then the person is justifiably prescribed medications containing iron. Namely:

aloe with iron;
various iron salts;
Ferrum Lek.

Sometimes the doctor may recommend drugs that can activate metabolic processes in tissues (orotic acid, inosine, trimetazidine, etc.)

In addition to drug treatment, the patient is recommended to undergo climatotherapy.

Along with general treatment, it is also necessary to carry out local treatment. Its main direction is to activate metabolic processes on the mucous membrane. Specially developed ointments and gels are suitable for this purpose.

Previously, preparations of iodine, ichthyol and phenol were very common. Modern doctors try to focus their attention on herbal preparations, which contain many vitamins and biologically active substances (rose hip and sea buckthorn oils, eucalyptus oil and carotoline). All forms of a drug such as Solcoseryl are considered quite promising.

Doctors advise treating atrophic rhinitis with polymer-based ointments. For example, Pankrusheva and Piskunov focus their attention on ointments containing:

glucose and riboflavin;
sodium salt;
humisol solution.

If you engage in complex treatment, the patient’s condition will improve and it will be possible to observe the regeneration of the epithelium of the mucous membrane.

It should be remembered: Before starting drug treatment, you need to very well clear your nose of mucous clots and scabs!

Operational

Surgical treatment involves surgical operations that help narrow the nasal passages, as well as reduce the negative impact of ongoing inflammatory processes.

Types of surgical treatment:

Young's operation;
transfer of the ducts of the parotid glands in the mucous membrane or maxillary sinus;
rearrangement of the side walls of the nose to narrow the nasal passage.

In general, surgical treatment of atrophic rhinitis includes implantation of alloplastic material, for example, lavsan, nylon or Teflon, in the area of the septum and the bottom of the nose. Unfortunately, such a procedure sometimes does not lead to the desired result.

Physiotherapy

In order to improve blood circulation in tissues and reduce the possibility of mucosal atrophy, experienced doctors prescribe physiotherapy to their patients.

Physiotherapy procedures include: electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, aeroion therapy, inductothermal treatment of the nasal passages, helium-neon laser.

It is important to remember: Physiotherapy is a serious matter and can only be carried out with medical advice. Then the procedures will not harm the body and will help cope with the existing disease.

As preventive measures and to enhance other treatment of atrophic rhinitis, we can recommend the use of various folk remedies.

Thus, irrigation of the nasal passages with a salt solution is very popular. This is a means of mechanical cleaning and disinfection. In addition to regular table salt, it is not forbidden to use sea salt with iodine. Irrigation can be done either with a syringe or by simple rinsing. The main thing is that the salt water should enter through one nostril and exit through the other. It happens that the doctor recommends adding some antibacterial drug to such an irrigation composition.

Another folk remedy includes nasal drops with aloe juice. There are a lot of positive reviews about this treatment method.

Rinsing the nose with herbal decoctions such as chamomile, sage or calendula can also be effective. It is these herbs that can have an anti-inflammatory effect, cleanse and moisturize the mucous membrane.

You can also use this decoction: take an equal volume of crushed lingonberry, raspberry, currant and rosehip leaves. Pour one tablespoon of this product into a glass of boiling water and let it brew for about an hour, then cool and strain. You need to take this remedy 3-4 times a day, strictly after meals.

The following cocktail may also be useful; it is made from nettle leaves. Rose hips and currants are added to them. This entire mixture is poured with boiling water and cooked for about 15 minutes. Then put in the dark for at least 2-3 hours. During the day you need to drink a glass of this decoction three times a day.

This remedy has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect: take 2 servings of mint and St. John's wort for 1 serving of valerian and thyme. A tablespoon of the resulting mixture is poured with hot 200 ml of black tea. It should be taken orally, a glass three times a day.

It is also very often recommended as a folk remedy to drip sea buckthorn or olive oil into the nose 2-4 times a day. It is said to have a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect and help moisturize the mucous membrane.

You can lubricate the nasal passages with 5% propolis infusion. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. The procedure is carried out for at least 3-4 days to achieve effectiveness.

For honey lovers, the following recipe may be suitable: irrigate the nasal mucosa with a honey-based solution (1 spoon per glass of water). The procedure is carried out once a day for a course of 5 days.

Many patients claim the effectiveness of treating chronic atrophic rhinitis with beets. It relieves chronic disease. You need to boil the beets, squeeze and strain the juice. Then it is placed on the window and kept there until it ferments and white foam appears on the surface. After all the above manipulations, the juice is placed in the refrigerator and I instill 2-3 drops into the nose 2 times a day for 2 weeks.

It is important to remember that no one has yet proven the effectiveness of treating rhinitis using traditional methods, and therefore such treatment can be fraught with danger!

General restorative methods of treatment

Subatrophic rhinitis is not one of those diseases that require complex and thorough treatment. However, you should not neglect techniques that help strengthen the body.

Autohemotherapy: the formation of an aseptic focus of inflammation by introducing one’s own blood into the muscle tissue stimulates the body’s immune response.
Seasonal vitamin therapy.
Increasing the percentage of protein in food helps to increase the nonspecific immune response.
Regularly performing breathing exercises improves the condition of the respiratory tract.
Antioxidant drugs improve the condition of the vascular wall, reduce its permeability and accelerate the removal of decay products from tissues. These medications affect both the general condition of the body and the tissues of the nasal cavity.
Acupressure and reflex effects on biologically active zones help restore the proper functioning of the entire respiratory tract and nasopharynx separately.

Proper treatment of subatrophic rhinitis involves the fight against other chronic diseases, especially during their exacerbation.

Folk remedies

Herbal medicine is very effectively used for runny nose.
Treatment of subatrophic runny nose with the help of folk remedies is allowed. But you should be extremely careful, since active ingredients, untested recipes and sweeping advice can only further harm the dry nasal mucosa. Treating rhinitis exclusively with folk remedies is not entirely correct. An experienced specialist will help you choose the set of methods that will provide the most favorable result.

Separately, it is worth mentioning herbal medicine. Healing herbs are used in the form of decoction for washing, tea, steam inhalation and so on. Menthol oil and aloe leaf extract are very popular. Instilling drops into the nasal passages and rubbing them on the wings of the nose leads to an improvement in the condition of the mucous membrane.

If an infection has occurred, then propolis drops are more effective. It reduces the inflammatory focus and improves the evacuation of pathological discharge. It can also be used to soften dry crusts.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the pathology does not present any difficulty; an experienced ENT doctor will competently assess the symptoms and medical history and, based on them, determine the disease in question. A mandatory procedure in this case is rhinoscopy - examination of the nasal cavity.

The following manifestations indicate atrophic rhinitis:

anatomical changes in the nasal septum;
thinning of the nasal mucosa;
expansion of the nasal passages;
pale pink color of the mucous membrane;
weak blood vessels;
yellow-green crusts in the nose.

To confirm the diagnosis, a nasal swab is taken from the patient for bacteriological examination. If necessary, the patient may be referred for an x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography of the nasal cavity.

Possible complications

Although subatrophic rhinitis is not usually taken seriously, improper treatment can cause complications. As the disease progresses, the mucous membrane gradually becomes thinner and deeper tissues, up to the bone, are involved in the inflammatory process. The resulting cracks and microulcers become an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic flora. Nasal discharge becomes viscous, thick and greenish-yellow in color.

Atrophic changes affect both the upper and lower parts of the nasopharynx. And this threatens not only a lightning-fast loss of smell. Chronization of the process is fraught with the appearance of sore throat, hacking cough, and increased body temperature. That is, the process becomes generalized.

After the addition of bacteria or viruses, acute sinusitis, sinusitis or even otitis develop. The spread of infectious inflammation is possible by hematogenous, lymphogenous and contact routes. This is facilitated by the close location of the sinuses and the connection between them.

The modern approach to the treatment of subatrophic rhinitis successfully fights not only this disease, but also prevents the occurrence of more serious and severe complications. A timely visit to a specialist for medical help will significantly save the body’s time and effort.