Causes and treatment of persistent runny nose in adults

In an adult, a prolonged runny nose can occur quite often. This is an almost constant companion to various colds. However, the duration of a runny nose depends on a number of factors.

It is considered normal if it lasts a maximum of 10 days. If, after this period, a person still experiences problems in the paranasal sinuses, then more active treatment should be undertaken.

Causes of a persistent runny nose

A runny nose of viral or bacterial origin, with proper and timely treatment, bothers a person for about a week, but when it drags on, its symptoms are present

more than 2 weeks, we can talk about prolonged rhinitis. The causes of a prolonged runny nose are most often the result of a lack of proper therapy at the onset of the disease. Not the last place in this process is given to human immunity. When the body's defenses are reduced, it is much more difficult to get rid of cold symptoms, and the risk of complications increases several times. In addition to disturbances in the functioning of the immune system, a prolonged runny nose can bother a person for other reasons, including:

1. Hidden infectious diseases of ENT organs.
2. Allergic reaction of the body.
3. Sinusitis.
4. Chronic sinusitis.
5. Adenoids.
6. Periodic hypothermia of the body.
7. Incorrect treatment of primary rhinitis.
8. Long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs.
9. Injury or deviated nasal septum.
10. Violation of temperature conditions in the room.

Regardless of the cause, runny nose in adults, as well as children, must be treated at the earliest stages, and its symptoms should not be allowed to progress. With proper initial therapy, the risks of a prolonged runny nose are minimized.

Possible causes of prolonged runny nose in an adult

In the modern world, a long runny nose in an adult is quite common. In addition to difficulty breathing, this condition may be accompanied by purulent or clear nasal discharge, itching, dryness, headaches, watery eyes and other unpleasant symptoms. Few people have not experienced a runny nose, especially during the cold season. With proper treatment and a strong immune system, a common cold will go away in an average week. If the symptoms and manifestations of rhinitis make themselves felt over a longer period (weeks or months), you need to seek professional help. After all, this may no longer be just a slight ailment, but a prolonged runny nose that can acquire a chronic form, therefore, it is necessary to find out its cause and take measures aimed at recovery.

Types of pathology

Prolonged rhinitis can be caused by a variety of reasons, ranging from seasonal allergies to improper treatment of infectious diseases. The following types of runny nose are distinguished:

• infectious;
• allergic;
• drug;
• atrophic;
• vasomotor.

Any form of rhinitis can become chronic in the absence of timely and correct treatment.

Prolonged difficulty breathing leads to shortness of breath, the onset and progression of symptoms of bronchial asthma. This is a serious condition that requires long-term and comprehensive treatment, therefore, with prolonged rhinitis, mandatory assistance from an otolaryngologist, allergist and pulmonologist is necessary. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, as it can lead to more serious consequences.

A separate category of diseases associated with the runny nose includes psychosomatic rhinitis, which has not physiological, but psychological causes and is a consequence of various mental disorders. In this case, the help of a professional psychotherapist is already needed, who will offer alternative medicine and various types of psychotherapy as treatment.

Types and causes of rhinitis

Infectious rhinitis

A runny nose is a hallmark of many diseases caused by infections of a viral or bacteriological nature. Sore throats, sinusitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis - this is not a complete list of diseases accompanied by a runny nose. Under unfavorable conditions, the symptoms of the disease can become chronic.

Allergic runny nose

Allergies are the leading causes of long-term runny nose in adults.

In severe cases, symptoms can persist all year round, causing a lot of inconvenience to patients.

The human environment contains a huge amount of allergens (plant pollen, household dust, chemicals, animal hair), and when the protective function of the immune system decreases, an allergy may appear, accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, pain in the eyes, lacrimation and headaches.

Progressive allergies can lead to the development of bronchial asthma.

Drug-induced rhinitis

A runny nose can occur as a side effect of taking certain medications, and can also result from the abuse of vasoconstrictor drops. Taking drops for nasal congestion has strict restrictions, which patients often neglect. Thus, the use of vasoconstrictor drugs for more than 3-5 days causes addiction to the nasal mucosa. After stopping the medication, the mucous membrane swells even more than at the beginning of the disease, which leads to a new round of taking drops. Addiction leads to a gradual increase in the dose and chronic swelling, proliferation of the mucous membrane, which can only be dealt with surgically.

Atrophic runny nose

Atrophic rhinitis can be caused by both external harmful influences (unfavorable environmental environment) and congenital, hereditary factors.

The disease is characterized by thinning or proliferation of the mucous membrane, its atrophy, loss of smell, and in certain cases, a foul odor from the sinuses.

For atrophic rhinitis, conservative or surgical treatment is necessary.

Vasomotor rhinitis

The causes of vasomotor rhinitis are not yet fully understood. It is believed that a runny nose is caused by a violation of the tone of the vessels located in the nasal cavity. As a result of the active activity of the nerve endings of the parasympathetic nervous system, the vessels become overfilled with blood, causing swelling of the nasal mucosa. These symptoms can intensify when a person goes out into the cold, when inhaling strong odors, or with increased emotional stress and stress.

Specific types of runny nose

Also, a long course of rhinitis can be caused by:

1. Congenital diseases and anomalies.

The most common congenital causes of rhinitis are a deviated nasal septum and abnormal structure of the facial part of the skull, deformation and enlargement of the nasal turbinates.

1. Getting injured.

In this case, rhinitis is caused by physiological swelling and tissue deformation, fractures of the bones of the nose and bridge of the nose. Lack of medical care and surgical correction for nasal injuries can lead to a prolonged runny nose.

1. Pathological enlargement of the nasopharyngeal tonsil (adenoiditis).

The enlargement of the pharyngeal tonsil is caused by the proliferation of lymphoid tissue. In this case, the nasal passages are blocked, congestion occurs, and normal air access is limited. According to statistics, this pathology is most often diagnosed in children, but cases of proliferation of lymphoid tissue in adults are not uncommon.

1. Entry of foreign bodies into the sinuses, including parasites.

Both animal and plant parasites can live in the human nasal cavity. These are worms (pinworms, roundworms), larvae of various insects, leeches, as well as some types of fungi (for example, candida fungus, which causes thrush of the nasal mucous membranes). An accurate diagnosis is established based on blood tests, nasal swabs and microscopic examination of discharge.

1. Benign growth of the mucous membrane (nasal polyps).

With prolonged inflammation of the nasal mucosa and the underlying disease is not treated, the mucosal tissues can grow and thicken. In this case, polyps can grow quite large and block the nasal passages, preventing the flow of air. This is a common cause of prolonged runny nose in adults.

1. The presence of any disease, the symptom of which is a prolonged runny nose.

One of these diseases is hypothyroidism - decreased function of the thyroid gland, in which the human body suffers from a lack of hormones and swelling of connective tissues, including the nasopharynx, occurs. The disease can be detected by taking a blood test to measure the level of thyroid hormones. Other diseases associated with nasal congestion include:

• rheumatoid arthritis;
• scleroderma;
• psoriasis;
• sarcoidosis;
• cystic fibrosis;
• Wegener's granulomatosis;
• Kartagener's syndrome.

To prevent a simple runny nose from turning into a chronic form, you need to monitor your health, follow the instructions of your doctor, and strengthen your body in every possible way. The benefits of vocal exercises for adults, breathing exercises, walks in the forest and the sea coast have been proven. It is better to replace the instillation of vasoconstrictor drops with the procedure of rinsing the nose with infusions of medicinal herbs (after consultation with an ENT doctor and in the absence of allergies) or inhalations. When treating a runny nose, it is important to make an accurate diagnosis. Often, cure of the underlying disease also leads to the disappearance of rhinitis symptoms.

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How to recognize the symptoms of a persistent runny nose?

A persistent runny nose is one that does not go away within 2 weeks. It is characterized by the appearance of swelling of the mucous membrane and inflammation, which entails the appearance of the following symptoms:

• constant nasal congestion;
• violation of nasal breathing;
• itching and burning in the nose;
• irritation of the skin under the nose;
• headache;
• pain in the forehead;
• mucous or clear nasal discharge;
• lacrimation;
• redness of the conjunctiva.

In some cases, when a bacterial infection occurs, the mucus in the nose becomes purulent and thick, turns yellow or green, the person has difficulty breathing, the sense of smell is impaired, fatigue appears, and sleep is disturbed. The appearance of the above symptoms should not be left without attention and treatment, since the longer a runny nose is present, the higher the risks of its complications.

Traditional methods of treatment

You can also treat a persistent runny nose with folk recipes. But it is worth remembering that you can resort to such treatment methods only in consultation with your doctor. Each person’s body is individual, so what is beneficial for one may be harmful for another:

1. For prolonged rhinitis, beet juice helps well. To prepare the drops, grate the beets on a fine grater, squeeze out the juice and dilute it in half with warm water. The resulting solution is dripped 4 times a day, 3 drops into each nasal passage.
2. Onion drops quickly relieve nasal congestion. Grate the onion and squeeze out the juice. Add the same amount of vegetable oil to it. Mix well and drop two drops into the nose, three times a day. The emulsion should be shaken well before each use.
3. Aloe juice will help cure a runny nose. It can be dripped either fresh or diluted with water. For treatment, leaves from a plant that is more than 2 years old are used.
4. Kalanchoe juice will help clear your nose quickly. It is dripped into the nose of adults undiluted, 4-5 times a day. After instillation of the nasal passages, the person begins to sneeze heavily, so you need to prepare a handkerchief.
5. Cyclamen juice, diluted with water, helps cure persistent rhinitis.

For prolonged runny nose, it is recommended to apply peach oil to your nose twice a day. It softens the mucous membrane and prevents irritation.

Treatment of any type of rhinitis is not complete without nasal rinsing. For this purpose, pharmaceutical preparations based on sea salt and solutions prepared independently are used. The following compositions can be used for washing:

• Salt solution. A teaspoon is diluted in half a liter of water and the nasal passages are washed with the resulting mixture 2 times a day.
• Soda solution. Cleanses the mucous membrane from pathogenic bacteria, softens and heals it. Soda is diluted according to the same principle as salt.
• Decoctions of medicinal herbs. Brew chamomile, calendula or sage. Take a teaspoon of plant material for a glass of hot water. Infuse the herbal composition for 20 minutes. After which it is filtered and used to rinse the nose.

Decoctions of medicinal herbs cannot be used to rinse the nose if a runny nose is caused by an allergy.

The most common cause of prolonged rhinitis is colds . In this case, it is enough to rinse the nose with saline solution and apply dry heat. If your nose runs for more than two weeks, you need to see a doctor.

Consequences

A prolonged runny nose, like any other disease, can cause quite serious complications, including:

• Chronic sinusitis.
• Sinusitis.
• Bronchitis.
• Otitis.
• Pneumonia.

With a prolonged runny nose, a person’s appetite and sleep are disrupted, periodic headaches appear, and swelling of the face appears. If a runny nose becomes bacterial in nature, body temperature may rise, muscle weakness and other symptoms of general intoxication of the body may appear. A timely visit to an ENT doctor will help reduce the risk of all kinds of complications, who will definitely tell you how to cure a persistent runny nose in a child or adult and give useful recommendations for treatment.

Causes

There are many reasons for a prolonged runny nose, so before starting any treatment, it is necessary to accurately identify the root cause of the ailment. Most often, prolonged rhinitis is provoked by:

• Incomplete or incorrect treatment of a cold.
• Allergy.
• Deformation of the nasal septum.
• Inhalation of excessively dry or dusty air.
• Long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs.
• Overgrowth of adenoids in children.
• Autoimmune diseases.

If a person has not been sick in the near future, then a persistent runny nose may be associated with an allergy. In this case, in addition to rhinitis, coughing, sneezing, lacrimation and skin rashes are observed. Symptoms occur spontaneously and are not relieved by conventional medications.

The cause of a prolonged runny nose may be dampness in the house and mold on the walls. The pores of fungi are strong allergens, so it is not surprising if residents of a damp house or apartment develop allergies.

If persistent rhinitis is not treated, inflammation can affect the paranasal sinuses. In this case, the mucous membrane swells, congestion occurs in the appendages, and the population of pathogenic microorganisms increases. With sinusitis, body temperature rises, headaches and a feeling of pressure around the nose occur. Sinusitis that is not treated in time leads to a number of serious complications:

• The infection spreads to the optic nerve, causing vision impairment.
• Bronchitis, tracheitis or pneumonia may develop.
• The infection quickly spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream, and there may be sepsis.
• The nasal appendages are located near the brain, so meningitis is possible.
• If the disease is severely advanced, bone tissue begins to deteriorate. In this case they talk about osteomyelitis.

The cause of a long runny nose in an adult or child may be vasomotor rhinitis. This disease often develops due to hormonal imbalances. Vasomotor rhinitis often affects pregnant women, adolescents and women during menopause.

Bad habits, cardiovascular diseases and kidney pathologies can provoke a long runny nose.

How to deal with a persistent runny nose?

Treatment of a prolonged runny nose in adults should always include a set of therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease, reducing general symptoms, eliminating swelling and inflammation in the nasal mucosa. If the runny nose persists, it needs to be treated comprehensively. Treatment measures may consist of the following procedures.

Rinsing the nasal cavity

The procedure is quite common and effective, it allows not only to eliminate congestion, but also to cleanse the nasal mucosa of bacteria, viruses or allergens. You can rinse using saline solutions: Marimer, Salin, Aquamaris, Humer, Aqualor, etc. At home, you can prepare your own saline solution. To do this, take 1 teaspoon of salt and dilute it in 1 liter of warm water. It is recommended to rinse the mucous membrane up to 5 times a day. In the case when the runny nose is of bacterial origin, the mucus in the nose is thick, you can add a crushed tablet of furatsilin to the solution, which has an antimicrobial effect and ideally copes with bacterial flora.

Inhalations

You can get rid of a long runny nose with the help of inhalations, which have a local effect, help get rid of congestion, relieve swelling and inflammation. Inhalations can be done the good old way using a pan and steam, or using a nebulizer. In the first case, you can use herbal decoctions, boiled jacket potatoes, and essential oils for inhalation procedures. Using a nebulizer, you can only use medicinal solutions: Decasan, Miramistin . The dose of any medicine is determined individually for each patient. When preparing the solution, it must be diluted with 9% sodium chloride. Inhalation procedures should be performed 2–3 times a day.

We suggest you read the article about the best time for inhalations.

Compress

For a prolonged runny nose, compresses using traditional medicine or medicinal solutions help well. A cotton swab can be moistened in a solution of Decasan, Miramistyn, Furacilin or potassium permanganate and inserted into the nasal cavity for 30 minutes. It is recommended to perform the procedure 2 times a day. Supporters of traditional medicine can use decoctions of medicinal herbs, honey, propolis tincture, essential oils or onion juice.

Warming up

Warming the maxillary sinuses is possible only if there is no purulent nasal discharge or elevated body temperature. To warm it up, you can use warm salt in a bag, boiled chicken eggs. To prepare this procedure, just take a small amount of salt, heat it in a dry frying pan, pour it into a bag and apply it to the wings of the nose. It is recommended to carry out this procedure 1 – 2 times a day.

All of the above procedures are quite effective in the treatment of prolonged rhinitis, but still they can only act as an auxiliary therapy to the main treatment. Before carrying out any procedure, you should consult with an otolaryngologist or therapist.

General recommendations

Treatment of a persistent runny nose in an adult takes place in several stages. First you need to create optimal conditions in your home:

1. Bring air humidity to normal levels of 55%. This can be done using wet towels hung around the room or a special humidifier.
2. Frequently ventilate rooms and carry out wet cleaning, wiping all surfaces.
3. Remove excess textiles, plants and books from the house. All this attracts dust, which can cause allergies, with all the ensuing symptoms.

To quickly get rid of rhinitis, you should drink a lot, harden yourself and, in good weather, be sure to walk outside. During illness, you should follow a diet. There is no need to load your body with heavy and fatty foods.

To strengthen the immune system, vitamin preparations and immunomodulators are taken in a course. Pharmacy vitamins can be replaced with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs.

If a runny nose is caused by allergies, it is important to eliminate contact with irritating substances!

Drugs for treatment

A long runny nose always exhausts and irritates a person, but in order to get rid of the root cause and eliminate the symptoms of rhinitis themselves, therapeutic therapy must necessarily include the use of medications with systemic and symptomatic action. Treatment should be carried out in accordance with the nature of the runny nose, so it may include taking the following medications:

Along with the above medications, the doctor prescribes vitamins, immunomodulators, probiotics and other medications to increase immunity to speed up the recovery period and reduce the risk of complications. Contact a specialist, he will definitely tell you how to treat a persistent runny nose in children and adults, and give useful tips and recommendations.

Drug-induced runny nose

The cause of prolonged rhinitis is often the uncontrolled and inappropriate use of medications. Most often, this condition is observed after treatment of respiratory diseases, if a person has used vasoconstrictor drugs uncontrollably. In this case, the mucous membrane becomes thinner and dry.

Sometimes a runny nose becomes a side effect after taking antiviral drugs. This condition is easy to recognize; clear mucus leaks from the nose, as if it were an allergy. Most often, drug-induced runny nose occurs in children, the elderly and people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Vasoconstrictor drops and sprays should not be used for more than 5 days, otherwise thinning of the mucous membrane and addiction may occur.