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Prolonged difficulty of nasal breathing is not always associated with a cold. If nasal congestion bothers constantly, and the usual medications help only for a short time, the cause may be structural changes of the nasal mucosa. One of such diseases is hypertrophic rhinitis.
At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, comprehensive diagnostics of the causes of impaired nasal breathing are carried out and optimal treatment is selected depending on the stage of the disease. The earlier therapy is started, the higher the chances of avoiding progression of the pathology and surgical intervention. You can make an appointment for a consultation at a time convenient for you.
Hypertrophic rhinitis — is a chronic disease of the nasal cavity, which is accompanied by thickening of the mucous membrane and an increase in the volume of the tissues of the nasal turbinates. Because of this, nasal breathing is gradually impaired, a feeling of constant nasal congestion appears, and ordinary vasoconstrictor drops often stop giving the desired effect.
Unlike temporary swelling of the mucous membrane in acute rhinitis, in this disease the changes have a persistent character. As the pathological process progresses, nasal breathing may worsen, which affects sleep quality, physical activity, and general well-being.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend not ignoring prolonged nasal congestion, especially if it persists for several months or does not go away after standard treatment. Timely diagnostics makes it possible to detect changes of the mucous membrane at the early stages and to select the most effective treatment tactics.
Hypertrophic rhinitis is classified by the prevalence of changes and the nature of tissue damage. This helps the doctor assess the degree of impaired nasal breathing and choose the optimal method of treatment.
Depending on the extent of the lesion, the following are distinguished:
limited form — thickening of the mucous membrane occurs in separate areas of the nasal cavity;
diffuse form — changes spread to a significant part of the mucous membrane and may cause a more persistent impairment of nasal breathing.
The treatment tactics depend on the form of the disease.
Depending on the type of altered tissues, the following are distinguished:
vascular form — associated with dilation of blood vessels and swelling of the mucous membrane;
fibrous form — in which connective tissue overgrowth occurs;
bone form — when pathological changes may affect the bony basis of the nasal turbinates.
Fibrous and bone changes usually respond worse to conservative therapy, therefore in such cases surgical or minimally invasive treatment methods are more often considered.
The main cause of the development of hypertrophic rhinitis is prolonged inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Under its influence, tissues gradually thicken, and the nasal turbinates increase in volume, which leads to persistent impairment of nasal breathing.
Factors that may contribute to the development of the disease include:
frequent acute respiratory infections;
chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses;
prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops;
deviation of the nasal septum;
allergic rhinitis;
unfavorable working conditions associated with dust, smoke, or chemical substances;
smoking;
unfavorable environmental factors.
Prolonged chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa is one of the key mechanisms of the development of structural changes in the nasal cavity and persistent impairment of nasal breathing.
In some cases, concomitant chronic pathologies may contribute to the development of the disease. In particular, studies show a connection between metabolic disorders, obesity, and chronic inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that the disease often forms gradually over several years. Patients often perceive the symptoms for a long time as an ordinary runny nose or a consequence of allergy and consult a doctor only when nasal congestion becomes practically constant.
Manifestations of the disease usually increase gradually. At the initial stages, patients may note
only periodic difficulty of nasal breathing, however over time the symptoms become more
pronounced and constant.
The most common symptoms include:
persistent nasal congestion;
difficult nasal breathing through one or both halves of the nose;
mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the nose;
decreased sense of smell.
As the disease progresses, headache, a feeling of pressure in the facial area, snoring during sleep, dry mouth due to constant mouth breathing, and rapid fatigue may also appear. Due to insufficient ventilation of the paranasal sinuses, some patients have an increased risk of developing inflammatory diseases, in particular maxillary sinusitis, as well as frequent exacerbations of chronic sinusitis.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend consulting an otolaryngologist if nasal congestion persists for a long time or the usual vasoconstrictor medications stop providing the proper effect. Early consultation with a specialist allows treatment to be started before the development of pronounced structural changes of the nasal mucosa.
To establish the diagnosis, the doctor-otolaryngologist analyzes the patient’s complaints, clarifies the duration of symptoms, and conducts an examination of the nasal cavity. To assess the degree of changes of the mucous membrane and exclude other diseases, additional examination methods may be used.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe:
endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity;
computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses;
laboratory tests according to indications.
Endoscopic examination allows a detailed inspection of the nasal cavity, assessment of the condition of the nasal turbinates, and detection of characteristic changes of the mucous membrane. If necessary, an additional examination of the paranasal sinuses is performed to clarify the prevalence of the pathological process and exclude concomitant diseases.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that during the examination it is important not only to confirm hypertrophic rhinitis, but also to exclude other diseases with similar manifestations. In particular, nasal breathing disorders may be observed with vasomotor rhinitis, deviation of the nasal septum, and chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose.
The treatment tactics depend on the stage of the disease, the severity of changes in the mucous membrane, and the degree of nasal breathing impairment. The doctor selects the method of therapy individually after the examination. If chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is confirmed in the patient, treatment may include both conservative and surgical methods.
Depending on the clinical situation, the following may be used:
nasal corticosteroids — medications that help reduce inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa;
saline solutions — used for cleansing and moisturizing the nasal cavity;
physiotherapeutic procedures, in particular cryotherapy — a method of exposing pathologically altered areas of the mucous membrane to low temperatures;
submucosal vasotomy of the inferior nasal turbinates — a method of surgical treatment aimed at reducing excessive blood filling of the inferior nasal turbinates to restore nasal breathing;
conchotomy — an operation during which excess hypertrophied tissue of the inferior nasal turbinates, which prevents normal passage of air through the nose, is removed.
In the early stages of the disease, preference is usually given to conservative therapy. If it does not provide a sufficient result, the doctor may recommend minimally invasive surgical treatment. Such methods are aimed at restoring normal nasal breathing, are characterized by minimal tissue trauma, and in most cases do not require hospitalization. After the procedure, the patient can usually return home on the same day.
Without timely treatment, hypertrophic rhinitis may lead to persistent impairment of nasal breathing and the development of concomitant diseases of the ENT organs. The risk of complications usually increases with a prolonged course of the disease and the absence of adequate therapy.
Possible complications include:
chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal sinuses);
impaired sense of smell;
frequent inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
snoring and deterioration of sleep quality;
chronic fatigue associated with insufficient nasal breathing.
Prolonged impairment of ventilation of the paranasal sinuses may create conditions for maintaining a chronic inflammatory process. Due to constant mouth breathing, the mucous membrane of the pharynx dries out, which increases the risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend not postponing treatment in case of constant nasal congestion. Timely diagnostics and properly selected therapy help not only to improve nasal breathing, but also to reduce the risk of developing complications in the future.
For prevention, it is recommended:
to treat acute and chronic diseases of the ENT organs in a timely manner;
not to use vasoconstrictor drops longer than the period recommended by the doctor;
to avoid prolonged contact with dust, smoke, and other irritating substances;
to maintain sufficient air humidity in the room;
to give up smoking;
to control allergic diseases;
to undergo preventive examinations by an otolaryngologist in case of prolonged nasal breathing impairment.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that special attention should be paid to prevention by patients with chronic diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Regular observation by a specialist makes it possible to detect pathological changes of the mucous membrane in time and start treatment before the development of pronounced nasal breathing disorders.
The cost of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of changes in the nasal mucosa, and the scope of necessary medical care. In some cases, conservative therapy and observation by an otolaryngologist are sufficient, while in others minimally invasive or surgical treatment may be recommended.
After the examination and the necessary diagnostics, the doctor will assess the degree of hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, determine the optimal treatment tactics, and orient regarding its cost. You can preliminarily familiarize yourself with the prices for medical services here.
To make an appointment for a consultation with an otolaryngologist at the «Oxford Medical» clinic, leave a request through the online appointment form on the website or call the contact center.
The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.
Sources:
Without treatment, hypertrophic rhinitis may lead to persistent impairment of nasal breathing, deterioration of the sense of smell, chronic sinusitis, and sleep disorders. A prolonged lack of full nasal breathing may also negatively affect work capacity, well-being, and quality of life.
Hypertrophic rhinitis is accompanied by persistent structural changes of the mucous membrane and nasal turbinates, which may require not only conservative, but also surgical treatment. At the same time, vasomotor rhinitis is mainly associated with impaired regulation of the blood vessels of the nasal mucosa and its swelling.
Accurate diagnostics. The otolaryngology department is equipped with equipment from leading manufacturers of medical technology, which allows accurate assessment of the condition of ENT organs.
Experienced doctors. Consultations are conducted by specialists with many years of experience who work according to modern clinical recommendations.
Comfortable appointment. At Oxford Medical, an ENT specialist provides consultations in Kyiv and Irpin, which makes it possible to choose a convenient location and the optimal time for a visit.
Modern inpatient department. Surgical treatment is carried out in the modern surgical inpatient department of the private clinic Oxford Medical.
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