Runny Nose - Causes And Symptoms, How And How To Treat A Runny Nose?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Causes and symptoms of a cold, how to treat?

A runny nose is an inflammation of the lining of the nose. The medical name for rhinitis is rhinitis. A runny nose (or rhinitis) is most often caused by viruses and microbes.

The nasal mucosa is the primary barrier against infections, the villi on its surface trap dust and impurities that enter the nose when breathing. In addition, the air in the nasal cavity is heated to a comfortable temperature. A runny nose and colds often occur with hypothermia, local immunity weakens, and pathogens are able to multiply and spread further along the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.

Content:

• Causes of the common cold
• Runny nose symptoms
• Runny nose without fever - what does it mean?
• How to properly treat a cold?
• By what means is a runny nose treated?
• What can and can not be done with a cold?
• Which doctor should I go to?

Causes of the common cold

A runny nose can occur for various reasons. The most common cause of a common cold is infectious agents - viruses, bacteria and fungi. The most common cause is viruses from the group of rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and adenoviruses. The disease is then classified as infectious rhinitis.

Another cause of inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa is an allergic reaction. Allergens enter the nasal passages during breathing, causing swelling, mucus, and nasal congestion. In this case, the disease is classified as allergic rhinitis.

Allergic and infectious rhinitis require different approaches to treatment - to alleviate the negative signs of the disease, vasoconstrictors are used in both cases, which makes it possible to briefly ease the patient's breathing and moderate the secretion of mucus. However, with infectious rhinitis, complex therapy with the use of antiseptic drugs is necessary, and hormonal agents and histamine receptor blockers are used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Possible causes of a runny nose:

Infectious rhinitis. This type of rhinitis is more common than others and is familiar to almost everyone. Infectious rhinitis occurs in an acute form, most often it is caused by bacteria, viruses, less often - fungi. If the patient has a stable immunity, the infectious rhinitis ends quickly and without complications.

Congenital causes. Anomalies in the prenatal period disrupt the normal functioning of the nasal cavity and cause chronic rhinitis. Such reasons include abnormalities in the structure of the facial bones, curvature of the nasal septum, hypertrophy or deformation of the nasal cavities. Most often, a one-sided defect occurs when the deformed nostril does not function, and air flows through the other cavity without hindrance.

Rarely occurs such a cause of chronic rhinitis as Kartagener's syndrome. Another name for the pathology is primary ciliary dyskinesia. The disease disrupts the mechanism for removing mucus from the nasal mucosa due to improper functioning of the ciliated epithelium. The result of this is stagnation of mucus in the nasal cavity and bronchi, the development of bronchitis, the transition of rhinitis into a chronic form.

Allergy. One of the common reasons for the appearance in children and adults of a long-term chronic rhinitis is allergic rhinitis. It appears not only at the time of flowering, but also in winter, when, it would seem, there should be no reasons for the appearance of allergies.

Common allergens:

• Pet hair;
• Down and feather of parrots;
• Book, household, industrial dust;
• Chemicals of detergents, varnishes and paints.

Medicinal rhinitis. A runny nose that appears as a result of taking medications occurs for two reasons:

• Rhinitis is a side effect of medication (such as blood pressure medications);
• A rebound effect is manifested after an overdose of a vasoconstrictor for a cold.

"Ricochet" rhinitis can develop within 4-5 days after the start of treatment of usual rhinitis with drops with a vasoconstrictor effect. Untimely cancellation of drops from the common cold leads to addiction to the nasal mucosa. Cancellation of the drug leads to increased edema, an increase in the dose leads to the resistance of mucosal cells to the active substance. The result of such a situation is the persistence of rhinitis symptoms even at maximum doses. That is why it is not recommended to use vasoconstrictor drops longer than the period specified in the instructions.

Adenoids. The proliferation of the adenoids located at the entrance to the nasal cavity from the side of the pharynx causes chronic rhinitis in children. The hypertrophied palatine tonsil overlaps the lumen of the nasal passages, thereby obstructing the air flow. Often there is a combination of adenoid hypertrophy with otitis media, sinusitis, chronic tonsillitis. The proliferation of tonsil tissue provokes the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause inflammation of the tissues of the nasopharynx. Read more: causes and symptoms of adenoids

Foreign bodies. Most often, this cause of an atypical rhinitis occurs in children of early preschool age.

A child can, unnoticed by parents, place in the nose:

• Small toys and their parts;
• The pencils;
• Food particles;
• Buttons;
• Vitamins and small candies;
• Small stationery and household items;
• Parasites (helminths).

A characteristic symptom of a foreign body in the nose is the discharge of liquid mucus from one nostril. With a long-term running cold, an experienced otolaryngologist always first of all suspects the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passage. A case of chronic rhinitis lasting for 20 years was recorded, the cause of which was a button that got into the nose in childhood. It was discovered in a woman by accident during an X-ray examination.

Polyps of the nose. Due to chronic inflammation or allergic effects, benign polyps develop on the nasal mucosa. The formations reach a significant size, blocking the nasal cavities and blocking the air flow.

Most often, polyps form in adults. If they are diagnosed in a child under 10 years of age, their possible cause is chronic sinusitis, cystic fibrosis. Often, a combination of a polyp with bronchial asthma, an allergy to acetylsalicylic acid or yellow fruits.

Vasomotor rhinitis. The cause of the pathology is a violation of the regulation of the vascular tone of the nose. With this pathology, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, the nerve endings of which exhibit a vasodilating effect. The vessels of the nasal mucosa overflow with blood, swell greatly, air does not pass through the nasal passages. Symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis include sneezing, stuffy nose, and a lot of mucus. They intensify under the influence of stress, cold, intense odors, chemical spraying in the air, and strong emotions.

Atrophic rhinitis. This type of rhinitis is rare, its cause is the thinning of the nasal mucosa, its atrophy due to a rare type of inflammatory process. It is provoked by such species of bacteria as Proteus, Klebsiella, as well as hereditary predisposition. Symptoms of an atrophic rhinitis - ozena (discharge with a fetid odor), loss of smell, green mucus with the formation of crusts.

Runny nose as a symptom of other diseases. One of the possible reasons for a long-term runny nose is latent hypothyroidism - a decreased function of the thyroid gland, insufficient production of hormones by it. For this reason, the connective tissues of the whole body, including the nasal mucosa, swell. Due to edema, air intake decreases, congestion occurs. Clarification of the diagnosis is carried out by passing an analysis for thyroid hormones.

Another reason for the development of chronic rhinitis is autoimmune diseases:

• Psoriasis,
• Wenger granulomatosis,
• Systemic scleroderma,
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

Runny nose symptoms

Cold symptoms differ depending on the stage of the disease:

• The first stage lasts from several hours to two days. The patient at this time feels dryness of the mucous membrane, burning in the nose and continuous itching. Already at this time, breathing through the nose becomes difficult, the perception of tastes and smells is impaired. The temperature is usually normal, occasionally (more often in children) slight hyperthermia may be observed.
• In the second stage, the virus actively multiplies, abundant discharge begins from the nose, it is impossible to breathe through the nose. Often, the patient "lays in" the ears, the temperature rises, lacrimation and frequent sneezing begin. The illness is accompanied by headaches, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.
• The third stage occurs 4–5 days after infection. The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, damaged by viruses, is colonized by various bacteria, as a result of which mucopurulent discharge from the nose appears.

If a person's immune system is in good shape, the body is activated to fight infection. The swelling gradually subsides, the sense of smell improves and nasal breathing is restored. After a few days, the person recovers. If a person's body is weakened, without adequate treatment, he may not cope with the disease, in this case the worst thing is that various complications, including severe ones, may develop.

Runny nose without fever - what does it mean?

A runny nose, which is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, can be a sign of a viral infection, in particular, it is typical for rhinoviruses. Nasal congestion, profuse mucous discharge and difficulty breathing are the main symptoms of this disease. These may include headaches, sore throat, congestion in the ears, and hearing loss. Most often, this type of rhinitis occurs in adults and is a sign of good immunity, because in the process of combating infection, the hypothalamus, where the thermoregulatory centers are located, is not affected.

The cause of a cold without fever is considered to be hypothermia, as a result of which it becomes more susceptible to infection.

Another reason for the occurrence of a cold without fever is the individual characteristics of the patient's condition. So, rhinitis can appear in women in the first trimester of pregnancy and in young children when their teeth are teething. Treatment in this case is purely symptomatic, since a runny nose is not a sign of a serious pathology, but develops due to weakened immunity.

Factors provoking the development of a cold without fever:

• Air pollution with dust, toxic and irritating substances. So, allergic rhinitis often develops as a result of constant contact with animals, passive or active smoking, stay in a dusty room;
• Hot spices, if they enter the nasal cavity, can provoke irritation of the mucous membrane and, in the future, cause the development of a cold;
• Sharp changes in temperature and humidity - so, in the cold season, there is often a difference between the low air temperature outside and the increased temperature in the room;
• Adenoid growths of the tonsils are a common cause of the common cold in children;
• When foreign bodies enter the nasal cavity, a runny nose acts as a symptom, this reason is also more common among children;
• Polyps and other neoplasms in the nose, as well as an abnormal structure of the nasal septum, can provoke chronic rhinitis.

How to properly treat a cold?

There are certain rules, following which, you can quickly and effectively cure a cold.

How to properly treat a cold in adults?

• It is important to learn how to blow your nose properly so that blowing your nose does not lead to complications. Increasing pressure in the nasal cavity can trigger bacteria to enter the Eustachian tube. Pathogenic microorganisms can easily cause otitis media (otitis media). If you blow your nose incorrectly, you can damage the already irritated middle ear membrane. The correct technique is to gently blow your nose separately on each nostril, while opening your mouth so as not to increase the pressure in the nasal cavity.
• For effective treatment of a common cold, do not irritate the mucous membrane by exposure to cold, tobacco smoke, strong odors, dust, and intense sneezing. Physical activity increases the strength of breathing, so even in the warm season, you can increase the runny nose by brisk walking and exercise.
• It is impossible to increase the use of drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect without a doctor's prescription. Following the instructions, you can significantly reduce the risk of "rebound" rhinitis from using drops for more than 4-6 days.
• Drops on a natural basis such as Pinosol effectively eliminate the symptoms of a cold. Its constituents (essential oils of eucalyptus, mint and pine) act as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.
• Rinsing the nose with salt water removes dust, allergens, excess mucus, pathogenic microorganisms, and dried crusts from the nasal mucosa. This procedure is carried out at least 3 times a day, the optimal amount is 150-200 ml for each nasal cavity.

How to properly treat a runny nose in children?

• It is important to maintain the optimal temperature (+ 20 + 22 ° C) and humidity in the room where the children are. Too dry air in a dwelling with central heating irritates the nasal mucosa, so it is imperative to use a humidifier. Be sure to ventilate the room, taking children out of it.
• Children of younger preschool age do not have the opportunity to blow their nose, so the accumulated mucus makes it difficult to breathe with a runny nose. They remove mucus from their nose with special devices. Rinse the nose in the same way as for adults, children are allowed no earlier than 3 years.
• Proper treatment effectively relieves rhinitis symptoms. Since the nasal mucosa in children quickly absorbs the active substance of the drugs, it is better to use products on a natural basis. Ointment and drops are used to treat children from 2 years of age, spray - from 3 years of age. The drug is not addictive, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, its natural ingredients and oil base perfectly moisturize the nasal mucosa.
• To prevent adenoids in children from becoming a source of complications in the form of relapses of rhinitis and the appearance of complications, they are promptly removed. The spread of pathogenic bacteria slows down the normal physical development of children.

How to properly treat an allergic rhinitis?

• The main rule is not to provoke allergic rhinitis by contact with an allergen. Long-term inflammation of the nasal mucosa is complicated by sinusitis, the appearance of polyps, mucosal hypertrophy. If an allergen comes into contact with skin and clothing, they are immediately removed.
• To remove allergens from the nasal mucosa, it is washed with 1% salt solution, it is important to carry out this procedure before bedtime.
• To prevent complications, modern antihistamines (Zodak) should be taken to help stop the process, prevent it from becoming severe.

How to properly treat a chronic rhinitis?

• It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis, consult an otolaryngologist.
• There is no need to provoke an increase in the symptoms of any type of rhinitis by exposure to smoke, dust, or spraying chemicals.
• If it is impossible to accurately establish the cause of the common cold, the patient's condition will noticeably improve when rinsing the nasal cavity with salted water.
• If a runny nose occurs, as a reaction to medications (drugs for pressure, contraceptives), you need to find analogues without side effects;
• Somatic diseases, the manifestations of which may be a runny nose, should be carefully treated.
• The negative effect of vasoconstrictor drugs for the treatment of rhinitis is eliminated with drops on a natural basis, which do not cause addiction, acting as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent at the same time.

By what means is a runny nose treated?

In the absence of treatment, a runny nose can lead to serious complications - inflammation in the maxillary sinus, pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa, acute or chronic otitis media, ethmoiditis.

But how is a runny nose treated? In the early stages of a runny nose, it is recommended to leave the house less often and contact others. Although a runny nose in itself is not dangerous, with improper treatment or its absence, it can disable a person for several days or even weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the spread of infection and create all conditions for a speedy recovery.

Medical measures in the early stages include warming up procedures for the feet, inhalations with medicinal solutions with salt or essential oils, taking a large amount of liquid - tea, lemon drink with ginger, herbal infusion, rosehip decoction.

You should follow all the rules of hygiene of the nasal cavity and constantly cleanse it of excess mucus using disposable spouts. You should be careful to clean the nasal passages under running water, as the increased pressure in the nasal cavity can promote the spread of infection, causing otitis media, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. It is necessary to clean the nostrils one by one, since with their simultaneous cleansing there is a risk of damage to the blood vessels, the formation of couperose asterisks.

At the second stage of the disease, if all the preliminary procedures are ineffective, you can start using medications prescribed by your doctor. Vasoconstrictors for emergency treatment of nasal congestion are used no longer than five days to avoid addiction.

To liquefy mucus, it is important to constantly ensure the flow of fluid into the body, and taking drugs with mucolytics also helps. Too viscous and thick mucus is poorly separated from the nasal cavity, makes breathing difficult and prolongs the time to recovery.

Vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold. The largest group of drugs are vasoconstrictors, after the use of which the swelling of the mucous membrane almost instantly decreases and the patient's subjective condition is facilitated. However, vasoconstrictor drugs have their own contraindications and application features, therefore, in the fight against the disease, one should not rely only on this group of funds.

Vasoconstrictor drugs are usually released in the form of drops or spray, falling on the nasal mucosa, these drugs constrict the blood vessels, which causes the swelling to disappear, the nasal congestion disappears and the person can breathe normally.

Another useful property of vasoconstrictors is the ability to influence the amount of mucus and the rate of its production, which removes the symptoms of a cold. The main active components of vasoconstrictors are naphazoline, xylometazoline, oxymetazoline.

Depending on the main active ingredient, three groups of vasoconstrictors are distinguished:

• Xymelin, Dlyanos, Rinonorm - drops based on xylometazoline, Galazolin in the form of drops, spray or gel - a drug based on xylometazoline, the duration of exposure is up to 4 hours;
• Fervex, Nazol, Nazivin - contain oxymetazoline in different concentrations, which allows them to be used to treat the common cold in both adults and children. The validity period is longer - up to 12 hours. There are contraindications for patients with renal failure, women during pregnancy and diabetics.
• Naphtizin, Sanorin - drugs based on naphazoline. The period of validity after a single use is 6 hours. The drugs in this group are affordable and do not damage the nasal mucosa. Sanorin is considered one of the safest vasoconstrictor agents, since it contains natural ingredients (aromatic eucalyptus oil) as auxiliary substances, which enhances the therapeutic effect and prevents complications.

Other active components of vasoconstrictors - tetrizoline, pheninephril - are used less frequently, but have the same mechanism of action on the nasal mucosa. Read more: vasoconstrictor nasal drops from the common cold

It is important to know! Most drugs for the treatment of the common cold contain vasoconstrictor agents, which more quickly allow you to achieve the effect - relieve nasal congestion, ease breathing and reduce the amount of discharge. However, with constant use, they can be unsafe - addiction develops to vasoconstrictor drugs, as a result of this, relief does not occur even at higher dosages.

Regular use of vasoconstrictors can lead to complications such as loss of nasal sensitivity, impairment of taste and smell.

Specialist recommendations regarding the use of vasoconstrictor agents:

• Nasal drops and sprays are not used every time you feel a stuffy nose, but in critical situations when other means do not help;
• It is impossible to use vasoconstrictors regularly for self-treatment of the common cold - complex drugs that do not lead to complications and side effects are better suited to this task.
• If, in the process of using vasoconstrictor agents, you feel a deterioration in well-being, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Medicines for the common cold are selected and prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the disease - this way the treatment is more effective, and side effects are minimized.

Remedies for a viral infection. In case of a runny nose caused by viruses, it is not recommended to take medications in the early stages - the body must activate the immune forces, and nasal discharge is a sign of its struggle against pathogens. When the snot turns from transparent to yellowish or green, you can begin treatment.

Therapeutic measures in the early stages of viral rhinitis are aimed at reducing the viscosity of mucus and its free separation. To do this, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, use humidifiers and regulate the temperature in the room where the patient is. After that, you can start flushing with saline, use drops of Pinosol and other medicines. Read more: antiviral nasal drops for the common cold

Complex preparations for the common cold. Complex preparations are designed not only to remove the symptoms of the common cold as vasoconstrictor drugs, but, first of all, to remove the cause of its occurrence. So, for example, with an allergic rhinitis, which is provoked by the ingress of a certain allergen into the nasal passages, the effect on the production of mucus will not have the desired result - as soon as the duration of the action expires, the rhinitis will resume. In this case, it is better to use a specialized tool or a set of drugs. Vibrocil is a drug based on two active ingredients, a decongestant and a blocker of H-1 histamine receptors, not only narrows blood vessels and removes edema, but also affects the cause of the common cold. Antihistamines in its composition relieve an allergic reaction, and the decongestant has vasoconstrictor properties. Another popular combination of active ingredients - mucolytic and decongestant - relieves swelling and mucus drainage due to the diluting action, as a result of which a runny nose heals faster. Complex preparations provide high efficiency in the treatment of rhinitis and minimize the risk of side effects and complications.

Essential oils for the common cold. Essential oils are a common component of drugs for the treatment of rhinitis; they can also be used as an independent remedy. Their effect is based on antiseptic properties; when applied topically, essential oils restore the barrier properties of the nasal mucosa without injuring it. For medicinal purposes, the oils of mint, pine and eucalyptus are most often used. The most common drug in this group is Pinosol drops, which have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect; it contains mountain pine, mint and eucalyptus oil. Read more: herbal drops from the common cold

Saline solutions for the common cold. Saline rinsing is one of the most effective treatments for rhinitis. Saline solutions are used for both infectious and allergic rhinitis, as they cleanse the nasal passages of infectious agents, allergens and excess mucus, preventing drying out and damage to the mucous membrane. Saline solutions have no restrictions in their use, even for young children, they do not have the side effects characteristic of vasoconstrictors, they do not form addiction. Common drugs in this group are Aqualor, Salin, Humer, Aquamaris, Marimer.

Preparations for allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is treated with specialized drugs - in addition to vasoconstrictor drugs, histamine receptor blockers and hormonal agents can be used. Among the hormonal drugs, Fliksonase, Beconase, Nasobek, Nasonex are most often prescribed. The effect of Nazonex appears after 12 hours, the patient's well-being is significantly improved. The drugs are available in a form for local use, so they do not affect the state of the body as a whole. Contraindications for hormonal drugs - it is strictly forbidden to use them for infectious rhinitis, since these drugs can promote the growth of bacteria on the nasal mucosa. Hormonal agents are used only if the runny nose is of an allergic nature. Read more: nose drops for edema and allergies

Homeopathic medicines for the common cold. Antiviral homeopathic remedies that promote lymphatic drainage, relieve swelling and strengthen the immune system can be quite effective in treating the common cold. Among them, there are such drugs as Edas-131, Cinnasbin, Euphorbium Compositum, Sinupret, which contain natural ingredients that help the body fight viruses. But the effect of homeopathic remedies is difficult to predict in advance, since the active substances can have different effects on different people. Therefore, the treatment of the common cold with homeopathic medicines can be delayed. Read more: homeopathic drops for the common cold

Pencil star for a cold. The Vietnamese remedy Zvezdochka is available in the form of a balm, ointment, patch, nasal spray and a pencil for inhalation; it successfully fights against colds thanks to a complex of natural ingredients - it contains cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus and mint essential oils. Thanks to these components, the product has a characteristic aroma and, when applied, gives a cooling effect. The star pencil is much more convenient to use than the classic Gold Star balm in a tin can - it goes directly into the nasal cavity, does not leave a characteristic aroma, does not irritate the mucous membranes. If the effect of the balm is of a reflexogenic nature - it is applied to the heels, chest, nose wings at the points that are used in the eastern practice of acupuncture, then the Asterisk pencil falls directly on the mucous membrane, softening it, reducing swelling and the amount of mucus secreted. You can use it from 7 to 12 times a day, for this you need to breathe with each nostril in turn over a filter soaked in aromatic oils. There are contraindications for use for people prone to allergic reactions and for small children.

What can and can not be done with a cold?

• Can you warm your nose with a cold? Most of the popular recipes for the treatment of a common cold are based on warming up the nose in various ways - with salt compresses, mustard plasters, and a boiled egg. Warming up can indeed be beneficial, as it provokes increased blood flow, which contains immune cells. This allows you to shorten the recovery time, accelerating the course of inflammatory processes. However, such warming up should be done correctly so as not to provoke the appearance of spider veins on the wings of the nose. In addition, it is strictly contraindicated to warm up the nose at elevated temperatures. (read also: high fever - what not to do?)

• Is it possible to do inhalation with a cold? Inhalation is considered the most effective method of treating the common cold, since in the process of inhaling the vapors, the useful components of the medicinal solutions instantly fall on the mucous membrane and have an effect. In comparison with other topical agents for the treatment of rhinitis, inhalations have several advantages. So, unlike drugs for instillation, during inhalation, the medicinal solution does not flow into the oral cavity and does not enter the stomach, but is evenly distributed over the mucous membrane, and remains there for exposure.

  Modern inhalers (nebulizers) are more effective in treating the common cold. Medicinal solutions with their help penetrate into all corners of the nasal cavity, as well as into the maxillary sinuses and bronchi, which is necessary for the treatment of sinusitis and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. The nebulizer provides the supply of particles of a solution of a certain size (5-8 microns), which is necessary for the most effective effect, while with conventional inhalations particles up to 10 microns and larger or particles smaller than 5 microns enter the nasal cavity. In the first case, the active substance simply cannot penetrate beyond the nasal cavity, and in the second, the particles are immediately exhaled, and they have no time to act.

• Is it possible to go to the bathhouse with a cold? A visit to the bathhouse will be beneficial only if the runny nose does not occur against the background of an elevated temperature, as well as at the early or final stage of a cold, when the temperature either has not yet increased or has already subsided.
• Is it possible to float legs with a cold? Hot foot baths for runny nose can speed up the healing process and can be a significant help for the body in fighting infection, especially if the cause of the runny nose is hypothermia. However, it is not recommended to steam your feet with a runny nose if you have a fever. Soaring legs is also contraindicated in case of varicose veins, arterial hypertension.

Which doctor should I go to?

With a runny nose, you need to contact your local therapist, general practitioner or ENT doctor. In case of a runny nose for pollen, during the flowering period - to an allergist.

The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT

Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)