Inflammation and edema of the nasal mucosa: Beware of complications

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Dang Huy Toan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa is a condition in which the lining of the nose is swollen, red, and inflamed. Symptoms of swollen nose are usually stuffy nose, clear nasal discharge, itchy nose, sore throat, discomfort and cough. This is a common condition, but if not treated properly, it can lead to complications of sinusitis.

1. Causes of swelling of the nasal mucosa

Some causes of swelling of the nasal mucosa can be mentioned as:
Rhinitis: including non-allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. Inflammation of the nasal mucosa will be itchy, burning, runny or stuffy. Sinusitis: often causes nasal discharge, making the patient always have to snort many times, thus causing pain in the nose, damage to the nasal mucosa and swelling of the nasal mucosa. Depending on the location of the sinusitis, the nasal discharge may drain into the nose or down the throat. If you have anterior sinusitis, your nasal secretions will flow out first, and if you have a posterior sinus infection, your nasal secretions will flow into your throat. The sudden change in weather causes irritation and discomfort in the nose, making the nasal mucosa inflamed, edematous, and swollen. Polluted living environment: smoke makes the nasal mucosa vulnerable, increasing the risk of infection with many viruses and bacteria. Habit of picking nose: shedding hairs in the lining of the nose. In addition, nose picking also causes rupture or cracks of blood vessels in the mucosa, leading to edema of the nasal mucosa, possibly with nosebleeds. Improper nasal hygiene or the use of inappropriate nasal hygiene solutions will also cause inflammation of the nasal mucosa and easily cause nasal swelling. Symptoms of edema of the nasal mucosa can include:
Itching of the nose, burning pain of the nose. Nose feels swollen, hot and red. Runny nose, stuffy nose, sore nose.

2. Treatment of edema of the nasal mucosa

The general rule of thumb when treating inflammatory nasal conditions is to reduce the dilation of nasal blood vessels and clear the nose. Some remedies such as:
Saline nasal spray: saline nasal spray or saline solution to thin the mucus and soothe the nasal mucosa. Antihistamine nasal sprays: If oral antihistamines are not effective, an antihistamine nasal spray can be used to relieve symptoms. Corticosteroid nasal sprays: If saline nasal sprays or antihistamine nasal sprays do not control symptoms. Non-acetylcholine nasal drops: usually used if runny nose is the main symptom. Some side effects such as nosebleeds and dry mucous membranes. Vasoconstrictor: helps relieve nasal congestion. Side effects can include high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and nervousness.

3. Complications of nasal mucosal edema

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, if not treated or improperly treated, will lead to many complications of rhinitis and affect the physiological function of the nose. Some complications such as:
Decreased breathing difficulty reduces the amount of oxygen inhaled. This will affect the function and metabolism of other organs. Patients will have symptoms of headache, dizziness, memory loss, chest pain, restlessness... If the respiratory condition is difficult, it will enlarge the nasal bridge, triggering sleep apnea syndrome as a factor. risk of cardiovascular disease, even sudden death. Loss of smell Lower respiratory complications: laryngitis, tracheitis, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma. Eye complications: very common, especially in children, bacteria following the tear ducts cause conjunctivitis, inflammation of the lacrimal gland, lacrimal sac, blepharitis... If rhinitis is complicated into sinusitis without prompt treatment Over time, the infection will spread to other parts of the body such as the eye socket, retinal nerves, brain, meninges, cavernous sinus thrombosis or sinus thrombophlebitis. Nose cancer

4. Prevention of edema of the nasal mucosa

Measures to prevent swelling of the nasal mucosa include:
Avoiding agents that cause rhinitis, reducing air humidity, turning on exhaust fans when bathing, exhaust fans when cooking, vacuuming regularly, cleaning house, blankets are washed clean. Rinsing the nose daily with saline solution will help prevent disease effectively, especially in people with sinusitis, symptoms caused by colds and flu. However, do not wash the nose when there is an infection in the ear or the nose is blocked causing difficulty breathing. In short, mild inflammation and edema in the nose can cause severe complications that are unpredictable, even life-threatening if not treated quickly and appropriately. Therefore, it is necessary to apply preventive measures and go to a medical facility when there are signs of inflammation and edema of the nasal mucosa.
It can be seen that inflammation of the nasal mucosa is a very common condition in many subjects and the disease causes many troubles for the health and life of the patient. Therefore, when there are symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to go to the hospital for a specialist examination and appropriate treatment measures.
Otolaryngology - Vinmec International General Hospital specializes in examining and treating common ENT diseases such as: rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, buzzing ear, non-allergic rhinitis, throat cancer, head and neck tumors, congenital malformations of the ear, nose and throat area by common surgical methods. The examination process is carried out by a team of qualified doctors, combined with a system of modern equipment. Therefore, the hospital is a high-quality medical care address that customers can completely trust to visit when having health problems.

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