Health Conditions, rhinitis

Rhinitis – Causes, Types, Symptoms, and Siddha medicine

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Rhinitis means inflammation (swelling) of the inner lining of the nose.
Rhinitis is very common in children, adults, and elderly people.

Causes Rhinitis

Common causes include:

  • Allergies
  • Infections (viral or bacterial)
  • Hormonal changes
  • Environmental factors (dust, smoke, cold air)

Symptoms of Rhinitis

  • Runny nose (watery or thick discharge)
  • Stuffy or blocked nose
  • Sneezing again and again
  • Itching in nose, eyes, mouth, or throat
  • Postnasal drip (mucus going to the throat)
  • Mouth breathing
  • Headache
  • Poor sleep and tiredness

Types of Rhinitis

1. Allergic Rhinitis

  • caused by allergy-producing substances. Dust mites Smokes ,Cold, Pollution
  • Symptoms are Sneezing, Watery runny nose, Itchy nose and eyes,
    Nasal blockage.
    • Types

      1. Seasonal allergic rhinitis – occurs during certain seasons (pollen time)

      2. Perennial allergic rhinitis – occurs throughout the year (dust, mites)


2. Infectious Rhinitis

Caused by viruses or bacteria.

3.Acute rhinitis (common cold)

Caused mainly by viruses.

Symptoms of
    Watery nasal discharge
    Nose burning sensation
    Sneezing
    Mild fever
    Body weakness.

4. Chronic infectious rhinitis

Long-lasting symptoms
     Thick mucus
     Postnasal drip
     Facial pain
     Sinus involvement.

5. Hormonal Rhinitis

Caused by hormone changes. Seen in Pregnancy Menstrual cycle
Use of oral contraceptive pills.

Featured by Nasal congestion
Usually improves after hormone levels return to normal.

6. Atrophic Rhinitis

A severe form of chronic rhinitis.
Symptoms are

1. Dry nose

2. Green or yellow crusts inside nose

3. Bad smell odour

4. Nasal blockage

5. Nose shape changes in severe cases.

Siddha literature

The Siddha system of medicine, rhinitis is explained mainly under “Peenisam (பீனிசம்)” and “Mooku Noi (மூக்கு நோய்)”.

Siddha medicine believes that diseases occur due to the imbalance of the three humors:

1.Vali (Vatham)

2.Azhal (Pitham)

3.Iyam (Kabham)

Rhinitis is mainly related to Iyam (Kapha) disorder.

Rhinitis develops due to:

  • Excess intake of cold foods
  • Frequent exposure to cold wind, dust, and damp climate
  • Drinking cold water early in the morning
  • Improper digestion (weak Agni)
  • Daytime sleep
  • Suppression of natural urges (like sneezing)
  • Seasonal changes (especially rainy and winter seasons).These factors increase Iyam humor, leading to mucus formation.

Siddha Pathology (How Disease Develops)

According to Siddha principles:

1. Increased Iyam accumulates in head and nasal passages

2. Nasal channels become blocked

3. Mucus production increases

4. Flow of air is disturbed

5. Sneezing, runny nose, and nasal blockage appear.

Maybe if untreated:

  Mucus becomes thick

  Drainage reduces.

  Leads to Sinusitis (Mooku Sinus Noi)

  Long-standing condition causes Polyps (Mooku Sadhai Valarchi).

Conclusion

Rhinitis may look simple, but long-term untreated rhinitis can lead to sinus problems and nasal polyps.
Early care, identifying the cause, and proper treatment can greatly improve quality of life.

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