Vasomotor Rhinitis Treatment

Periodic nasal congestion can significantly complicate life. In many people, it intensifies in the morning, during changes in air temperature, physical exertion, or stress. If such symptoms recur regularly and do not go away after usual treatment, it is worth consulting an otolaryngologist to establish their cause.

At the «Oxford Medical» medical center, comprehensive diagnostics of nasal breathing disorders are carried out and an individual treatment plan is selected depending on the features of the course of the disease. Timely therapy helps reduce the manifestations of the disease, restore normal nasal breathing, and improve quality of life.

Vasomotor rhinitis — is a chronic disease in which the regulation of the tone of the blood vessels of the nasal mucosa is impaired. Because of this, even ordinary irritants, in particular cold air, sharp odors, temperature changes, or emotional tension, can cause excessive swelling of the mucous membrane, nasal congestion, and abundant watery discharge.

Unlike an infectious runny nose, in vasomotor rhinitis the symptoms are not associated with viruses or bacteria. The disease also differs from allergic forms in that its development is not caused by a reaction of the immune system to a certain allergen.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that without timely diagnostics, chronic vasomotor rhinitis may for a long time be disguised as other diseases of the nose. A correctly established diagnosis makes it possible to determine the cause of impaired nasal breathing and select the most effective treatment tactics.

The exact cause of the development of vasomotor rhinitis cannot always be established. It is believed that the disease occurs as a result of impaired nervous regulation of the vessels of the nasal mucosa, because of which they react excessively to nonspecific irritants.

The risk of developing the disease is increased by:

• prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops;

• deviation of the nasal septum;

• hormonal changes in the body;

• some endocrine diseases, in particular hypothyroidism;

• prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke, dust, and other irritating substances;

• chronic stress;

• individual features of the autonomic nervous system.

According to data from MSD Manual Professional Edition, attacks of vasomotor rhinitis may be provoked by cold air, sharp odors, temperature changes, consumption of hot or spicy food, and other nonspecific factors.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that determining individual triggers is an important component of treatment. Eliminating or limiting their influence often helps reduce the frequency of exacerbations and improve symptom control.

Prolonged impairment of nasal breathing may lead to deterioration of sleep, rapid fatigue, and decreased work capacity. Some patients also develop headache associated with prolonged impairment of ventilation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend consulting an otolaryngologist if nasal congestion bothers for several weeks, recurs regularly, or responds poorly to self-treatment. The earlier the cause of the symptoms is established, the easier it is to select effective treatment tactics.

The consequences of a prolonged course of the disease may be:

• chronic nasal congestion;

• sleep disturbance and increased fatigue;

• deterioration of the sense of smell;

• frequent inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses;

• formation of medication dependence on vasoconstrictor drops.

In some cases, prolonged impairment of nasal breathing may contribute to the development of structural changes of the mucous membrane. Over time, this increases the risk of developing such a disease as hypertrophic rhinitis, the treatment of which may require more complex methods.

Diagnostics of vasomotor rhinitis is aimed at excluding other causes of prolonged nasal congestion. For this, the doctor assesses the nature of the symptoms, clarifies under what circumstances they occur or intensify, and conducts an examination of the ENT organs.

If necessary, the following may be prescribed:

• endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity;

• laboratory tests according to indications;

• allergological examination to exclude allergic rhinitis;

• computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses if concomitant pathology is suspected.

Endoscopy allows detailed assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane, nasal turbinates, and other structures of the nasal cavity. This study helps to detect characteristic changes, as well as to exclude other diseases that may be accompanied by impaired nasal breathing. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to clarify the diagnosis.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that accurate diagnostics is the basis of effective treatment. It makes it possible to distinguish vasomotor rhinitis from other diseases with similar symptoms and to choose the most appropriate therapy tactics.

The doctor determines the treatment tactics individually after the examination. It depends on the severity of symptoms, duration of the disease, presence of concomitant pathologies, and effectiveness of previous therapy. The main goal of treatment is restoration of nasal breathing and reduction of the frequency of exacerbations.

Depending on the clinical situation, the following may be used:

• nasal corticosteroids — medications for reducing swelling and inflammation of the nasal mucosa;

• saline solutions — for cleansing and moisturizing the mucous membrane;

• elimination or maximum limitation of the influence of individual triggers that provoke the appearance of symptoms;

• submucosal vasotomy of the inferior nasal turbinates — a minimally invasive intervention aimed at reducing excessive blood filling of the nasal turbinates;

• radiofrequency reduction of the inferior nasal turbinates — a method that allows reducing the volume of tissues and improving nasal breathing;

• cryotherapy — local exposure of the mucous membrane of the nasal turbinates to low temperatures in the presence of appropriate indications.

According to data from Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), treatment of non-allergic forms of rhinitis is recommended to be carried out in stages: first, conservative methods are used, and surgical intervention is considered only when medication therapy is insufficiently effective.

Surgical treatment of vasomotor rhinitis may be recommended for patients with persistent impairment of nasal breathing that cannot be eliminated by conservative methods. The doctor chooses the type of surgical intervention individually after assessing the condition of the nasal mucosa and the severity of pathological changes.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that vasomotor rhinitis is treated most effectively under the condition of a comprehensive approach. The combination of properly selected medication therapy, elimination of provoking factors and, if necessary, modern surgical methods allows achieving long-term improvement of nasal breathing and quality of life.

Following simple recommendations helps reduce the risk of exacerbations and maintain normal nasal breathing.

For prevention, it is recommended:

• not to use vasoconstrictor drops longer than the period recommended by the doctor;

• to avoid contact with individual irritants that provoke the appearance of symptoms;

• to maintain optimal air humidity in residential and working premises;

• to treat diseases of the ENT organs in a timely manner;

• to give up smoking or minimize the influence of tobacco smoke;

• to undergo an examination by an otolaryngologist in case of prolonged nasal breathing impairment.

The most effective prevention of vasomotor rhinitis consists of timely treatment of diseases of the ENT organs, refusal of uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor drops, and minimization of the influence of factors that provoke the appearance of symptoms. This helps maintain the normal condition of the nasal mucosa and reduce the likelihood of exacerbations.

If you have vasomotor rhinitis, treatment in Kyiv can be undergone at «Oxford Medical». The cost of treatment is determined individually, since it depends on the cause of the disease, the severity of symptoms, and the necessary scope of 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 consultation and the necessary diagnostics, the doctor will assess the condition of the nasal mucosa, determine the optimal therapy tactics, and orient regarding its cost. You can preliminarily familiarize yourself with the prices for consultations and other medical services here. To make an appointment for a consultation with an otolaryngologist, 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:

• Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)

• MSD Manual Professional Edition