In winter, when allergic rhinitis is in its early stages of onset, many patients mistakenly believe they have a cold or even deafness, which can delay treatment. Director Wu Fuxing from the American-trained team at the Good News ENT Hospital reminds everyone to clearly distinguish between a cold and allergic rhinitis so as to carry out relevant prevention and treatment measures. Below, Director Wu Fuxing from the ENT department will introduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Cold: Patients will experience sneezing, nasal congestion, and increased nasal discharge, accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, and headache. In later stages, the nasal discharge turns yellow and thick. The course of the illness lasts 1-2 weeks.
Allergic Rhinitis: This is an allergic reaction disease that occurs upon contact with allergens or when immunity decreases. Symptoms include paroxysmal "machine gun" sneezes, nasal congestion, itchy nose, and clear, thin nasal discharge. Generally, the symptoms subside relatively quickly.
Additionally, many patients do not take their condition seriously enough or believe there is no need for treatment because the symptoms disappear quickly. In fact, allergic rhinitis can lead to various complications. Furthermore, if untreated for a long time, it can cause pathological changes in the nasal mucosa, making one prone to complications such as nosebleeds, nasal polyps, allergic sinusitis, pharyngitis, exudative otitis media, bronchial asthma, and conjunctivitis.
Allergic rhinitis is most directly related to the patient's physical constitution. Medication can rapidly control the symptoms but cannot fundamentally eliminate the allergic reaction. To prevent attacks, patients should pay attention to details in daily life.
Avoid contact with allergens. For instance, pollen, dust, animal dander, woolen clothing, paint, and strong odors in daily life, and consume fewer irritant foods; maintain indoor hygiene and frequently air quilts.
During the onset period of rhinitis, under a doctor's guidance, take some medications for treatment and control. Rub your palms hot in the morning and evening, then rub up and down on the waist sacrum bilateral kidney area; you may also rub your index finger hot and massage the Yintang acupoint on both sides of the nostrils.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are introduced here. Nowadays, the low-temperature plasma technology is the most effective treatment method. When undergoing treatment, it is essential to choose a regular hospital to ensure a cure.
Relevant thematic articles: Why folk finance can last long... Rhinitis and sinusitis are common nasal disorders, both acute and chronic. From an anatomical perspective, the nasal cavity is a breathing space between the anterior and posterior nares, covered inside by nasal mucosa; inflammation of this mucosa is called rhinitis. Nasal sinuses, on the other hand, are air-filled cavities within the skull bones around the nasal cavity, symmetrical and in total four pairs: maxillary sinuses, frontal sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, and sphenoid sinuses. Each sinus has an opening connecting to the nasal cavity through which the nasal membrane and sinus mucosa continue.
Commonly known as a cold, symptoms include blocked nose, sneezing, runny nose with clear mucus, and reduced sense of smell, indicating acute rhinitis.
In acute rhinitis, if improperly treated, the nasal mucosa inflammation can spread through the sinus openings into the sinuses, causing acute sinusitis characterized by blocked nose, purulent nasal discharge, and headache. Repeated episodes of acute rhinitis and sinusitis can eventually lead to chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.
Chronic rhinitis symptoms include nasal blockage or alternating nasal airflow issues with mucus. Chronic sinusitis involves persistent white enameled nasal discharge, yellow pus after a cold, and reduced sense of smell. As described above, rhinitis and sinusitis are closely related in terms of onset but differ clinically and during examination.
Treatment-wise, since the main symptom of rhinitis is nasal obstruction, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, with the number of daily doses determined by maintaining nasal patency. If medication fails to maintain patency, surgical treatments like inferior turbinate resection or cauterization may be necessary. Sinusitis involves purulent inflammation in the sinuses, mainly characterized by purulent nasal discharge and headaches. Treatment includes nasal decongestants, antibiotics to eliminate bacterial infections in the sinuses, or maxillary sinus puncture. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, utilizing good illumination provided by the endoscope, thoroughly clears lesions while preserving normal nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa and structure, ensuring proper ventilation and drainage. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques without incisions are now widely applied in clinical settings.
Warm Reminder:
◎ The above information is for reference only. Diagnosis and treatment must be carried out under a doctor's guidance in a hospital! Early detection, prevention, and treatment of any disease are crucial for maintaining health. Severe cases require specialized ENT hospital treatment.
◎ For more information about "rhinitis and sinusitis," consult online doctors (free).
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