Patients with allergic rhinitis often experience nasal congestion and runny nose, along with itching and sneezing. Initial treatment involves medication, including oral antihistamines, decongestants to relieve nasal congestion, nasal sprays containing steroids, and nasal irrigation with saline. However, many patients still have nasal congestion and runny nose despite full medication treatment. The next treatment options are surgery or immunotherapy (vaccine treatment). Immunotherapy takes a long time to show results, requiring about 6 months of treatment and continuous treatment for at least 3 years. Surgery, on the other hand, provides faster symptom relief.
Treatment of Nasal Congestion and Runny Nose in Allergic Rhinitis by Surgery
There are various surgical methods to treat nasal congestion and runny nose in allergic rhinitis, but the most popular and widely used method is treatment with radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR). Radiofrequency waves cause tissue degeneration and shrinkage, followed by fibrosis contraction, which reduces the size of the nasal wall. However, this method cannot correct nasal congestion caused by enlarged nasal bones. Additionally, radiofrequency may cause degeneration of mucus-producing glands, reducing mucus production, but chronic runny nose is not the main indication for this procedure. Radiofrequency treatment improves nasal breathing and maintains results for about 1-2 years, after which symptoms may recur.
Treatment of Nasal Congestion and Runny Nose in Allergic Rhinitis by Autonomic Nervous System Balancing
Meanwhile, treatment of nasal congestion and runny nose in allergic rhinitis by balancing the autonomic nervous system can permanently relieve these symptoms. This treatment is performed via endoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
The surgery consists of two parts: reducing the size of the nasal wall and bones, and balancing the autonomic nervous system, which is the direct cause. This is done by reducing the sensitivity of nerves that stimulate blood vessels to dilate, causing swelling of the nasal wall and stimulating mucus secretion.
Autonomic nervous system balancing can be done in various ways and on different nerves, but combining it with reduction of the nasal wall and bones can effectively treat both nasal congestion and chronic runny nose. Reducing the sensitivity of the nerves supplying the nasal wall specifically targets chronic runny nose without side effects such as dry eyes or numbness of the palate.
Treatment of Nasal Congestion and Runny Nose by Autonomic Nervous System Balancing
This treatment is suitable for patients with chronic rhinitis, both allergic and non-allergic, who continue to have nasal congestion and chronic runny nose despite full medication treatment, or for those who do not want to use medication for life.
Patients preparing for surgery will follow the same preparation as for regular sinus endoscopic surgery and will stay in the hospital for only one night after surgery before returning home to normal daily life. The treatment results in immediate improvement of nasal congestion and chronic runny nose, with significant improvement within 1-2 weeks. After surgery, there will be only minor scabs without side effects, resulting in clearer nasal breathing and greatly reduced mucus. Patients can reduce medication use, leading to improved quality of life in the long term.
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Lt. Col. Dr. Prachan Banchasuek
Muscle, Bone, and Joint Clinic
For more information, contact
Phyathai 3 Hospital, 1st Floor
Tel. 02-467-1111 ext. 3100, 3112
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