Atrophic Rhinitis
Atrophic rhinitis(AR) is nasal dryness that occurs when tissue inside of your nose thins or atrophies. Eventually, the tissue hardens. As a result, the nasal cavities where air flows through your nostrils widen. Your nasal passages become too dry, causing a foul-smelling nasal crust to form.
Symptoms –
AR can lead to many unpleasant symptoms. This includes a strong, foul smell. Your breath will also smell particularly foul.
Other common symptoms of AR include:
• crusting that can fill the nose, often green
• nasal obstruction
• nasal discharge
• nasal deformity
• nosebleeds
• loss of smell or decreased smell
• frequent upper respiratory infections
• sore throat
• watery eyes
• headaches
Types & Causes –
Atrophic rhinitis is of two types having different causes of this problem to occur.
• Primary atrophic rhinitis is seen primarily in young people in the developing world. Primary atrophic rhinitis is associated with mucosal colonization, predominantly with Klebsiella ozaenae, as well as other organisms. The primary presenting symptom is foul-smelling nasal discharge.
• Secondary atrophic rhinitis is seen with some regularity in the developed world and occurs in patients who underwent prior sinonasal trauma, surgery, radiation therapy, or have certain inflammatory conditions (granulomatous diseases).
Complications –
Atrophic rhinitis can cause you to lose your sense of smell (anosmia). You may also develop empty nose syndrome. This condition can make you feel like there’s something blocking your nasal passages, yet they’re wide open. As a result, you may constantly feel short of breath even though your lungs are taking in sufficient oxygen.
Diagnosis –
• Allergy tests to confirm or rule out allergies.
• CT scan to get detailed images of your nasal cavities.
• Nasal endoscopy using a flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) to view the inside of your nostrils and check for nasal polyps or other problems.
• Nasal inspiratory flow test to measure airflow when you breathe.
Treatment –
There isn’t a cure for atrophic rhinitis, but treatments can reduce the foul-smelling crust and minimize symptoms. They include –
• Antibiotic ointments that you apply inside of your nose.
• Moisturizing nasal ointments.
• Estrogen in a pill or nasal spray.
• Vitamins.
• Humidifier.
Ayurvedic Perspective –
According to Ayurveda similar symptoms we could relate with the condition named as Apeenasa. Depending upon the condition of the patient Nasya procedure could be taken as treatment option. Also for strengthen patients, Dhumpana – nasal fumigation by medicated fumes, could be added to treatment options.
Some Ayurvedic medication
• Anu taila
• Shadbindu taila
• Haridrakhand
• Tribhuvankirti Ras
• Talishadi Churna
• Pippalyasav
• Kanakasav
• Agastya Rasayana
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