Atrophic rhinitis (ozena, fetid runny nose) - causes and symptoms of atrophic rhinitis (ozena, fetid runny nose)

There are several types of atrophic rhinitis:

• atrophic rhinitis;
• anterior dry rhinitis;
• ozena (fetid runny nose).

Causes

The exact causes of atrophic rhinitis are still unknown.

Ozena occurs in young people aged 8-15 years. Undoubtedly, the main factors influencing the appearance of ozena should be considered environmental factors and social conditions of life. Ozena occurs in the poor part of the population living in unsanitary conditions.

Symptoms

With atrophic rhinitis, the symptoms are minor and practically do not bother patients. Sometimes pain, heaviness and pressure in the head are noted. Patients complain of increased dryness of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. Nasal discharge becomes viscous, stringy, and dries quickly. A characteristic sign of atrophic rhinitis is the formation of crusts in the nose.

Ozena has a distinctive feature in the clinical manifestations of rhinitis compared to other types of rhinitis. In addition to viscous secretion and crust formation, nasal congestion is observed, a very unpleasant odor (fetid), which is noticed even by people around, and the patient, due to a reduced sense of smell, may simply not notice it.

Sometimes a change in the shape of the nose is observed, it becomes wide and flattened. Patients try to avoid company with other people, become depressed and constantly experience a depressed state.

Scabs in ozena look like dirty gray films that can be located together with viscous gray secretion in the lower and middle nasal passages, detected during anterior rhinoscopy by an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor).

The longer this disease is left untreated, the more the olfactory processes are disrupted and atrophy of the mucous membrane and nasal conchae develops, which causes their flattening.

Diagnostics

The disease is recognized based on the characteristic complaints of the patient, the presence of severe atrophy of the nasal mucosa and foul-smelling crusts, the absence of smell during examination of the patient by an otolaryngologist.

To clarify the diagnosis and differentiate it, the doctor prescribes additional methods research:

• X-ray of the paranasal sinuses;
• CT and MRI of the paranasal sinuses.

Today, endoscopic methods for examining the nasal cavity and its paranasal sinuses have appeared using a tube with a light source and a camera at the end.

For more detailed information on the diagnosis and treatment of atrophic rhinitis, you must make an appointment with an otolaryngologist (ENT).

Treatment

Rhinitis treatment is carried out only after a detailed examination. An otolaryngologist (ENT) prescribes appropriate treatment.

Treatment of atrophic rhinitis consists of the following actions:

• Atrophic rhinitis is treated symptomatically, which involves gentle and sparing removal of crusts from the nasal cavity, eliminating dryness.
• Irritant therapy: lubrication of the nasal mucosa with an iodine-glycerin solution, which will stimulate the functioning glands of the mucous membrane.
• Rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solutions is recommended to cleanse it of mucus or crusts.
• Using salt baths for at least 30 minutes.
• Using sprays that will moisturize the mucous membrane nose.

Prevention:

Prevention to prevent atrophic rhinitis consists of:

• eliminating contact with silicate, cement, tobacco and other types of dust;
• hardening the body;
• avoiding hypothermia;
• maintaining a normal microclimate and clean air in the room;
• rational, vitamin-rich nutrition;
• timely treatment of viral, bacterial or fungal diseases of the body;
• correctly following the rules for blowing your nose.