It’s not just a stuffy nose and a runny nose
If it gets worse, sinusitis… Surgery has certain effects
As the obligation to wear masks in public transportation was lifted on the 20th, many people took off their stuffy masks and went out to see flowers, but there are still people who can’t take off their masks. These are rhinitis patients with chronic cough and stuffy nose.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2020, the rate of allergic rhinitis diagnosed by doctors is 18.7%. It is said that 2 out of 10 people have ever suffered from rhinitis. Since it is a relatively common disease, many people take it lightly, but when they hear about the discomfort that patients with rhinitis actually experience, their thoughts change.
Is it simply a stuffy nose and a runny nose?
The most typical symptoms that come to mind when thinking about rhinitis are runny nose, stuffy nose, coughing, and sneezing. Regardless of the cause, most chronic rhinitis patients show similar symptoms with only differences in severity of symptoms. The problem is that when these symptoms, which may seem light at first glance, become severe, they interfere with daily life and reduce the quality of life.
Jin Seo-yeon (23, Saha-gu, Busan), who had been suffering from chronic rhinitis since elementary school, had rhinitis that worsened and progressed to sinusitis (sinusitis). She suffers from chronic headaches and intermittent facial pain due to her sinusitis. The pus that continued to build up in the sinuses caused an inflammatory response and caused pain. Ms. Jin said, “Her nose itself is weakened, so her nosebleeds often. She is constantly receiving medication.”
Another rhinitis patient, Kim Eun-ji (23, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul), cited nasal congestion as the most inconvenient thing. Mr. Kim said, “Since both of my nostrils are blocked, sleeping at night is the most difficult.”
University student Park Mo, who had relatively mild symptoms compared to them, was also uncomfortable. Especially in the spring, when antigens (causative substances) such as yellow dust, fine dust, and pollen allergy are rampant, you still have to wear a mask. Mr. Park said, “If you cough on the subway, you notice it for no reason. In the end, he continues to wear a mask, but it is difficult to treat when runny nose flows or becomes damp,” he said, expressing discomfort.
Surgery is the last resort, depending on the cause
However, the common reason many did not choose surgery was ‘possibility of recurrence’. In the case of rhinitis, drug treatment is preferred, but surgery is recommended when this drug treatment does not work or when a nasal septal deviation is accompanied. A deviated septum is a condition in which the thin plate-shaped bone (nasal septum) that divides the nasal passages into left and right sides is bent, resulting in narrowing of one nasal passage. Deviation of the septum is a structural abnormality of bone, so it cannot be treated with medication and requires surgery.
Jin Seo-yeon, who previously suffered from both rhinitis and sinusitis, also did not choose surgery. Mr. Jin said, “I had nosebleeds so often that I received treatment to support blood vessels, but I did not undergo surgery.”
Kim Min-ji (23, Dongrae-gu, Busan), who underwent rhinitis surgery about two months ago, decided to have surgery because of sleep problems caused by nasal congestion. “Her lack of sleep weakened her immunity, so she decided to have her surgery done in the end,” she said. She is trying to maintain the usual room humidity so that it does not recur,” she said.
Mr. Kim continued, “I was able to receive insurance for rhinitis surgery as well. There are more people than I thought, but each insurance is different, but if you are thinking about surgery, it would be good to check with your insurance company.”
Regarding this, an otolaryngologist said, “Surgery can provide noticeable symptom relief, and even if it recurs, most cases are mild. , It is important to avoid excessive heating in winter and maintain an appropriate indoor temperature (20~24℃) and humidity (50~60%).”
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