The structure of the nose looks simple on the outside, but it is more complicated than you think. The nasal entrance is divided into two by the septum, and there are 3 pairs of turbinates on the left and right sides. The sinuses are empty spaces inside the nose. As the nose is a complex structure, various symptoms and diseases can occur. Typical diseases include rhinitis, sinusitis (sinusitis), and deviated septum. Otorhinolaryngology Director Kim Young-hyo (Kim Young-hyo Department of Otolaryngology)Together, we solved the typical questions regarding nasal diseases.
Q1. What is the difference between rhinitis and sinusitis?
Because nasal congestion and runny nose are the main symptoms of both rhinitis and sinusitis, patients often confuse the two. However, rhinitis and sinusitis are completely different diseases.
Rhinitis is an allergic reaction to antigens such as house dust mites, pets, and pollen. Symptoms include nasal congestion, a watery-clear runny nose, sneezing, and itching. On the other hand, sinusitis is an inflammatory disease caused by infection with bacteria. Therefore, it is characterized by systemic symptoms such as headache and fever along with a yellow runny nose.
Q2. Can rhinitis be cured?
Rhinitis is an allergic reaction in the nose in patients with systemic atopic tendencies. Therefore, it can be treated with a method called ‘immunotherapy’ that suppresses the systemic atopic reaction.
Q3. What is the latest treatment for rhinitis?
There is a method called ‘sublingual immunotherapy’ that was recently developed in the form of a pill. It can be said that it is the only treatment for curing rhinitis. The advantage of this is that it is a safe way to prevent the development of allergic asthma and can be done at home. However, since the treatment period is very long (3 to 4 years), please consult with a specialist before deciding whether to proceed with treatment.
Q4. Sinusitis, do I need surgery?
In the case of acute sinusitis caused by the addition of bacterial infection following having a cold, it can be treated with appropriate antibiotics and other medications. In this case, no surgery is required. However, if the sinusitis is not properly treated, becomes chronic for more than 3 months, or if a lump called a polyp is formed in the nose, surgical treatment is necessary because drug treatment alone is insufficient. Chronic sinusitis can be treated with ‘sinus endoscopic surgery’, which properly removes the inflamed sinus mucosa and polyps while looking inside the nose with an endoscope.
Q5. What are the precautions for nasal septum surgery?
The nasal septum correction is a surgery that can be admitted and discharged on the same day, and can be performed relatively easily. There are no special precautions before or following surgery. However, it is helpful to thoroughly wash the nose immediately following surgery to prevent complications. For recovery, it is recommended to refrain from smoking as much as possible.
Help = Director Kim Young-hyo (Kim Young-hyo, otolaryngology specialist)
