Who has never had a sneezing fit and dealt with a runny nose? Yes, this is a very common problem and usually comes along with several other symptoms. What we call rhinitis is just a symptom of respiratory issues that can often be more serious than we imagine. Want to know more about why rhinitis exists and how to treat this condition? And why is rhinitis so important even though it is only a symptom? Read the text to the end and check out everything we have to say!
What is rhinitis?
We can define rhinitis as the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which in turn is a symptom resulting from some disease or allergy. This inflammation is characterized by the production of mucus, which may be thin and clear, yellowish and thicker, or even dark green, usually when there are bacterial infections. Rhinitis can be accompanied by sneezing and nasal obstruction, meaning it can cause a stuffy nose. In other words, rhinitis is what causes the popular symptoms like a runny nose, which can be quite annoying.
Causes of Rhinitis
As we have mentioned, rhinitis is normally a symptom of some other problem, such as an allergy or a disease like the flu, for example. Some of the main causes of rhinitis are:
- Rhinitis – Rhinitis is mainly characterized by irritation of the nasal mucosa, which inevitably ends up causing rhinitis.
- Common cold – Caused by various types of viruses, most commonly rhinovirus, the common cold has as one of its main symptoms rhinitis, precisely because it is a respiratory disease that irritates the nasal mucosa.
- Flu – Another well-known disease that has rhinitis as one of its main symptoms. When a person has the flu, they usually have yellowish or even greenish mucus running from their nose.
- Tuberculosis – Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that directly affects the lungs and that, in addition to rhinitis, also causes shortness of breath, fever, chills, among other symptoms. Because it is a bacterial disease, rhinitis is usually accompanied by mucus with a strong color, usually green or rust-colored.
Of course, these are not the only causes of rhinitis. Other types of allergies like bronchitis and sinusitis, as well as diseases like hay fever, can also cause this symptom to appear. However, here we’ve decided to show just a few of the most common examples so that you have a general idea of the main causes of rhinitis. 
Why is Rhinitis important?
It’s not that having rhinitis is important for your health, but the fact that it appears is important for you to investigate its causes and thus treat the disease or allergy. For example, if a person has constant rhinitis, they may not know they have allergic rhinitis and, therefore, never seek any treatment. In this sense, rhinitis is important because it is a warning sign for possible problems with your health and also so you can treat it before a problem develops into something more serious.
Are Rhinitis and Nasal Congestion the same thing?
Actually, nasal congestion is the term used when a person has a stuffy nose, while rhinitis is what causes this nasal blockage. In other words, we can say that rhinitis is the cause of nasal congestion, or that one is a consequence of the other. So, although these things are always related, they are not the same thing.
Treatment for Rhinitis
Rhinitis is definitely something that bothers and, if not treated, can lead to bigger problems, like a severe allergy attack or even the development of pneumonia. For this reason, it’s very important not only to know what it is but also how it should be treated. In general, the treatment for rhinitis should be something that directly targets the problem that causes it. In other words, if you have rhinitis because of a bacterial infection, it is very likely that a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to relieve the symptoms. Another example is treatment with an antihistamine when rhinitis is caused by allergic rhinitis. To relieve rhinitis, there are some home treatments, such as washing with saline solution, which helps clear the nasal passages and makes it easier for a person to breathe. In addition, eating spicy foods also helps in this sense, although excess can cause discomfort. It is always important to emphasize that only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe the correct medication to treat rhinitis. Therefore, never take medication on your own. It might not work and can even worsen the symptoms in some cases. Respiratory allergies are quite common, especially in those who live in big cities or areas with a lot of pollution. And since rhinitis is one of the most common symptoms of this type of allergy, it is very important for us to understand where it comes from and, mainly, what to do to treat it and prevent it from becoming a big problem in our lives. If there are health problems we cannot avoid, it is important that at least we know how to deal with them.
