How can you effectively manage a leaky bladder. What foods and drinks should you avoid with urinary incontinence. Which exercises can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. How does weight loss impact bladder control. What lifestyle changes can reduce incontinence episodes.

Understanding Urinary Incontinence: Causes and Prevalence

Urinary incontinence, characterized by involuntary leakage of urine, affects millions of individuals worldwide. This condition can significantly impact quality of life, causing embarrassment and social isolation. But what exactly causes this prevalent issue?

Several factors contribute to urinary incontinence:

• Weakened pelvic floor muscles
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Prostate problems in men
• Neurological disorders
• Certain medications
• Age-related changes in bladder function

Is urinary incontinence a normal part of aging? While more common in older adults, incontinence is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Many effective management strategies exist, regardless of age.

Hydration Habits: Balancing Fluid Intake for Bladder Health

Proper hydration plays a crucial role in managing urinary incontinence. Contrary to popular belief, reducing fluid intake is not an effective long-term solution. Dr. Tomas Griebling, a urology professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, explains that insufficient hydration can actually exacerbate the problem.

How much should you drink? The National Association for Continence recommends 6-8 glasses (8 oz each) of water daily. However, individual needs may vary. A simple way to gauge hydration is by monitoring urine color – pale yellow indicates adequate hydration, while darker hues suggest the need for increased fluid intake.

Tips for Optimal Hydration:

1. Spread fluid intake throughout the day
2. Avoid large quantities in short periods
3. Reduce intake before bedtime
4. Choose water over caffeinated or alcoholic beverages

Bladder Training Techniques: Regaining Control Through Habit Formation

Developing a consistent bathroom schedule can significantly improve bladder control. This technique, known as bladder training, involves urinating at regular intervals, even without a strong urge. Why is this effective? It helps retrain the bladder to hold urine for longer periods and reduces the frequency of sudden urges.

How can you implement bladder training?

• Start by urinating every 2-3 hours, regardless of urge
• Gradually increase the time between bathroom visits
• Always empty your bladder before leaving home or other venues
• Practice “double voiding” – urinating, waiting a few moments, then trying again

Navigating Public Spaces: Strategies for Confidence and Preparedness

For individuals managing urinary incontinence, venturing into unfamiliar environments can be anxiety-inducing. However, proper planning can alleviate much of this stress. How can you prepare for outings?

Consider these proactive steps:

1. Research bathroom locations in advance using online maps or venue websites
2. Carry a portable toilet map app on your smartphone
3. Pack an emergency kit with spare underwear and cleansing wipes
4. Wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing to disguise potential leaks

By taking these precautions, you can approach public outings with greater confidence and peace of mind.

The Power of Tracking: Utilizing a Bladder Diary for Insight

A bladder diary is an invaluable tool for both patients and healthcare providers in understanding and managing urinary incontinence. This detailed log provides crucial information about your bladder habits, helping to identify triggers and patterns.

What should you include in your bladder diary?

• Fluid intake (type and amount)
• Time of each urination
• Urgency level before urination
• Any leakage incidents and potential triggers
• Activities at the time of leakage

Maintaining this diary for several days before a medical appointment can provide your doctor with valuable insights, leading to more targeted and effective treatment strategies.

Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor: The Impact of Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises, which target the pelvic floor muscles, are a cornerstone in managing urinary incontinence. These simple yet effective exercises can benefit both men and women by enhancing bladder support and control.

How do you perform Kegel exercises correctly?

1. Identify the correct muscles (those used to stop urine flow)
2. Tighten these muscles for a count of three
3. Relax for a count of three
4. Repeat 10-15 times, three times daily

Consistency is key – with regular practice, many individuals notice improvement in bladder control within six weeks. It’s important to note that Kegels can be performed discreetly at any time, making them a convenient option for busy lifestyles.

Weight Management: The Unexpected Connection to Bladder Health

Excess body weight, particularly around the midsection, can significantly impact urinary incontinence. How does weight affect bladder control? Extra pounds increase pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, potentially weakening their ability to support the bladder and control urine flow.

Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated a strong correlation between weight loss and improved bladder control. The study found that women who lost 17 pounds over six months reduced leaking episodes by nearly 50%, while even a modest loss of 3 pounds resulted in a 28% reduction.

Strategies for Healthy Weight Loss:

• Focus on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
• Incorporate regular physical activity
• Stay hydrated with water instead of caloric beverages
• Practice portion control
• Seek support from a healthcare provider or registered dietitian

Dietary Considerations: Foods and Beverages That Impact Bladder Function

Certain foods and drinks can irritate the bladder, exacerbating symptoms of urinary incontinence. Identifying and moderating these potential triggers can lead to improved bladder control.

Which consumables commonly affect bladder function?

• Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
• Alcohol
• Carbonated beverages
• Artificial sweeteners
• Spicy foods
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Tomato-based products

While complete elimination of these items may not be necessary, moderation and timing can make a significant difference. For example, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, especially in the evening, can reduce nighttime urination and leakage.

Bladder-Friendly Alternatives:

1. Herbal teas (caffeine-free)
2. Infused water with cucumber or berries
3. Non-citrus fruits
4. Whole grains
5. Lean proteins

Remember, individual responses to foods and beverages can vary. Keeping a food diary alongside your bladder diary can help identify personal triggers and inform dietary choices.

Lifestyle Modifications: Habits That Support Bladder Health

Beyond diet and exercise, several lifestyle factors can influence urinary incontinence. By making targeted adjustments, you can significantly improve bladder control and overall quality of life.

Key Lifestyle Changes to Consider:

• Quit smoking: Smoking can irritate the bladder and cause chronic coughing, both of which contribute to incontinence
• Manage constipation: Straining during bowel movements can weaken pelvic floor muscles
• Practice stress-reduction techniques: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate urinary urgency
• Adjust fluid intake timing: Reduce consumption in the hours before bedtime
• Wear breathable, comfortable clothing: Tight garments can put pressure on the bladder

Is it necessary to implement all these changes at once? Not necessarily. Start with one or two modifications and gradually incorporate others as you become comfortable. This approach can lead to sustainable, long-term improvements in bladder control.

The Role of Sleep in Bladder Health

Quality sleep plays a crucial role in managing urinary incontinence. Poor sleep patterns can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms, potentially leading to increased nighttime urination. How can you improve sleep quality?

1. Establish a consistent sleep schedule
2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine
3. Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool
4. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed
5. Limit fluids in the evening, but stay hydrated during the day

By prioritizing sleep hygiene, you may find that nighttime incontinence episodes decrease, leading to more restful nights and improved daytime bladder control.

Seeking Professional Help: When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

While many self-management strategies can effectively improve urinary incontinence, it’s essential to know when to seek professional medical advice. Persistent or worsening symptoms may indicate an underlying condition requiring targeted treatment.

When should you consult a healthcare provider about urinary incontinence?

• Symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes
• Incontinence significantly impacts your daily life or emotional well-being
• You experience pain or burning during urination
• There’s blood in your urine
• You have difficulty emptying your bladder completely
• Incontinence occurs alongside other concerning symptoms

Remember, urinary incontinence is a common and treatable condition. Healthcare providers have access to a wide range of diagnostic tools and treatment options, including medications, specialized physical therapy, and minimally invasive procedures.

Preparing for Your Medical Appointment

To make the most of your healthcare visit, consider these preparation tips:

1. Bring your completed bladder diary
2. List all medications and supplements you’re taking
3. Prepare a detailed description of your symptoms and their impact on your life
4. Write down any questions or concerns you have
5. Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member for support

Open and honest communication with your healthcare provider is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle.

Embracing a Holistic Approach to Bladder Health

Managing urinary incontinence effectively requires a multifaceted approach. By combining dietary modifications, exercise routines, lifestyle adjustments, and professional medical care, you can significantly improve bladder control and overall quality of life.

Key takeaways for comprehensive bladder health management include:

• Maintain proper hydration while being mindful of fluid intake timing
• Strengthen pelvic floor muscles through regular Kegel exercises
• Implement bladder training techniques to improve control
• Identify and moderate dietary triggers that may exacerbate symptoms
• Prioritize weight management and overall physical fitness
• Adopt stress-reduction practices and prioritize quality sleep
• Seek professional medical advice when self-management strategies prove insufficient

Remember, improvement in bladder control is often gradual. Patience and consistency in implementing these strategies are key to achieving long-term success. With persistence and the right approach, it’s possible to significantly reduce the impact of urinary incontinence on your daily life.

As research in urology and pelvic health continues to advance, new treatments and management techniques may become available. Stay informed by maintaining regular check-ups with your healthcare provider and staying abreast of developments in the field.

By taking a proactive, holistic approach to bladder health, you can regain confidence, improve your quality of life, and enjoy greater freedom in your daily activities. Urinary incontinence need not be a limiting factor in your life – with the right strategies and support, you can effectively manage this common condition and thrive.

9 Smart Ways to Manage a Leaky Bladder

Worrying about having the urge to pee and not getting to the bathroom in time can be incredibly stressful. Fortunately, if you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, it is possible to go from leaky to leak-free. Here’s how.

By Katherine LeeMedically Reviewed by Igor Kagan, MD

Reviewed: May 27, 2023

Medically Reviewed

There’s no reason you have to live with the embarrassing inconvenience of a leaky bladder.

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Dealing with urinary incontinence — bladder leakage that you can’t control? You’re not alone. Bladder control problems affect millions of men and women of all ages, according to the Urology Care Foundation, with many of those people suffering in silence because they feel too shy, awkward, or downright embarrassed to talk about it with friends, family, and even their doctors. Truth is, there’s a lot you can do to decrease your risk of urinary incontinence episodes and avoid accidental leaks.

1974

Drink Enough Fluids to Keep Your Bladder Happy

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Drinking less water and other fluids to decrease your risk of an accident is not a good idea, says Tomas Griebling, MD, a professor of urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. While it’s true that chugging down a lot of fluids — especially in a short amount of time — can lead to bladder leaks, not drinking enough can also make you need to pee suddenly.

“When you don’t drink enough water, the urine becomes more concentrated, and that can be irritating to the bladder and increase urgency,” explains Dr. Griebling.

How much fluid is enough varies from person to person, but the National Association for Continence (NAFC) estimates that six to eight 8-ounce (oz) glasses of water a day is about the right amount. Checking the color of your urine can help you know if you’re on target, according to Harvard Health Publishing. In general, a pale yellow color means you’re adequately hydrated, while a darker yellow suggests you need to drink more.

1975

Empty Your Bladder Regularly Even if It Doesn’t Feel Full

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Griebling says that going to the bathroom on a schedule, say, every two to three hours, even if you don’t feel the urge to urinate, is a good idea for people who have urinary incontinence or overactive bladder (a condition in which the bladder can spasm, causing an intense, sudden urge to urinate). Similarly, emptying your bladder before leaving the house or other venues, such as your office or a restaurant, even if you don’t feel an urge to go, can diminish leakage and prevent accidents.

1976

Plan Ahead: Scope Out Bathrooms Before You Leave Home

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If you have urinary incontinence, it’s a good idea to know where the bathrooms are located at unfamiliar destinations, such as restaurants, museums, shopping centers, and parks. Try finding a map or directory ahead of time online.

1977

Gain Insight Into Your Condition With a Bladder Diary

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Keeping track of your bathroom habits with a bladder diary can reveal patterns and triggers that help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your incontinence, Griebling says. A few days before your doctor visit, begin writing down what you drink, what time you drink it, how many times you urinate, and when you have leaking-urine episodes. Include anything that may have led up to an accident, such as coughing, exercising, or a sense of urgency.

1978

Tighten Your Pelvic Floor With Kegel Exercises

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Kegels, or pelvic floor muscle exercises, can benefit both men and women who have urinary incontinence by strengthening the muscles that support the bladder. This, in turn, helps prevent urine leaks and the feeling of urgency that comes with overactive bladder. And Kegels couldn’t be easier to do: Per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, simply squeeze or tighten your pelvic floor muscles — these are the same muscles you use to stop the flow of urine or passing gas — for a count of three, and then slowly relax them for a count of three. Kegels are so easy, you can do them anytime — even while sitting in your car at a stoplight or at your desk at work. Build up to doing one set of 10 to 15 squeezes, three times a day, and your bladder control should improve within six weeks.

1979

Destress Your Bladder by Losing a Little Weight

I Yunmai/Unsplash

You may be able to lower your risk of leaking urine by losing weight. Carrying extra weight, especially around your middle, puts stress and extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which then can cause accidental urine leaks, note experts at The Simon Foundation for Continence. In a landmark study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, women who lost 17 pounds (lb) over six months reduced leaking episodes nearly 50 percent, while those who lost only 3 lb reduced leaking episodes by 28 percent.

1980

Cut Back on Bladder-Irritating Caffeine and Alcohol

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Certain foods and beverages might irritate the lining of your bladder, making you need to sprint to the bathroom more often to avoid peeing on yourself.  While every bladder irritant doesn’t affect every person, there are two top culprits: caffeine and alcohol. “Caffeine is bothersome for many people,” confirms Griebling. “Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, and they can be irritating to the bladder. I encourage patients to limit caffeine and alcohol intake to help reduce the urgency they may feel.”

Along with alcohol and beverages with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and cola, other potential bladder irritants, according to the Johns Hopkins Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, include:

• Apples and apple juice
• Artificial sweeteners
• Carbonated beverages
• Chili and spicy foods
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruit and juices
• Cranberries and cranberry juice
• Milk products
• Pineapple
• Sugar and honey
• Tomatoes
• Vinegar

You may want to try eliminating one or more of these potential triggers from your diet for two weeks, then reintroduce them one by one every few days to see if you notice a difference in your urge to pee, how often you need to go, or the number of leaks you experience.

1981

Quit Smoking to Help Keep Your Bladder Healthy

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People who have urinary incontinence should do what they can to stop smoking. “Studies have found that people who smoke are more prone to incontinence,” says urologist Yvonne Koch, MD, a board-certified urologist in private practice based in Miami. “Smoking damages the very small blood vessels in our bodies and causes tissue weakness,” she explains. Furthermore, smoking can lead to coughing, which can cause urine leakage by putting pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. Plus, cigarette smoking triples the risk of bladder cancer, an early sign of which may be the need to urinate often or the urge to urinate immediately, even when the bladder isn’t full, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

1982

Review Your Medications for Potential Troublemakers

Many medications can contribute to urinary incontinence, according to Harvard Health Publishing, including:

• Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex), which increase the production of urine by the kidneys.
• Muscle relaxants and sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan), which relax the urethra, increasing the need to pee. They also may make you less likely to notice when your bladder is full.
• Narcotics, such as morphine (OMS) and oxycodone (Oxycontin), which relax the bladder, causing it to retain urine. This increases the risk of “overflow incontinence” (leaking between bathroom visits) because it’s difficult for the bladder to empty completely.
• Antihistamines also relax the bladder.

If you suspect your prescription or over-the-counter medications may be causing or worsening your incontinence, gather them up and “bring as many of your medications as possible with you to the doctor,” Griebling advises. That way, your doctor can determine if any dosages should be changed, if you should stop taking some of them, or if there are alternative medications without this side effect.

Learn more in our Managing Urinary Incontinence Guide.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

• What Is Urinary Incontinence? Urology Care Foundation.
• How Much Water Should You Drink When You Have Incontinence? National Association for Continence.
• Color, Odor Changes in Urine Usually — But Not Always — Harmless, Reports Harvard Women’s Health Watch. Harvard Health Publishing. June 1, 2010.
• Kegel Exercises. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. November 2021.
• Obesity and Being Overweight. The Simon Foundation for Continence.
• Subak LL, Wing R, West DS, et al. Weight Loss to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Overweight and Obese Women. The New England Journal of Medicine. January 29, 2009.
• Bladder Irritants [PDF]. The Johns Hopkins Women’s Center for Pelvic Health.
• Bladder Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
• Medications That Can Cause Urinary Incontinence. Harvard Health Publishing. August 28, 2019.

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Contaminated Food Can Cause Some UTIs. Here’s How to Reduce Risk.

Eat|Contaminated Meat is the Surprising Cause of Some U.T.I.s

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/27/well/eat/uti-e-coli-meat.html

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Certain strains of E. coli, a bacteria commonly associated with food poisoning, can lead to painful urinary infections.

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March 27, 2023

Scientists are pointing to a surprising cause of some urinary tract infections: E. coli bacteria in meat. A new study used statistical modeling to estimate that E. coli, commonly known as the bacteria behind many food-borne illnesses, may cause hundreds of thousands of U.T.I.s in the United States annually — likely a small fraction of overall U.T.I.s, but enough to intrigue, and in some cases concern, experts.

The new study looked at chicken, turkey and pork in particular, as previous studies suggested that these foods can become contaminated with the type of E. coli that could induce a U.T.I. Over the last two decades, scientists have increasingly viewed food as a potential source of infection; the new study highlights just how pervasive these food-borne U.T.I.s may be.

A U.T.I. occurs when bacteria enters the urethra and infects the urinary tract. Sometimes an infection develops because of poor hygiene (i.e., not wiping correctly) or from sex, and some people are more anatomically or genetically prone to develop an infection than others. U.T.I.s can be pernicious and painful. People may experience symptoms like discomfort when urinating or a frequent need to urinate; they may feel cramps, fatigue or a stinging sensation during sex. Some may have “urinary hesitancy,” said Dr. Monica Woll Rosen, an OB-GYN at the University of Michigan Medical School — the urge to urinate that doesn’t produce any urine. U.T.I.s occur in both men and women, but they are more common in women because females have shorter urethras.

The symptoms of a U.T. I. are likely to be the same no matter the source of the infection, Dr. Rosen said. While the vast majority of U.T.I. infections are mild and treatable, in rare cases U.T.I.s can be severe, and even fatal, which is why researchers are so motivated to track down their causes.

A food-borne U.T.I. starts the way most U.T.I.s do: when E. coli from the gut migrates from the anus to the urethra, said Lance B. Price, a professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University and one of the authors of the new study.

Most of us carry E. coli around in our guts most of the time, said Dr. James R. Johnson, an infectious disease professor and leading researcher on urinary tract infections at the University of Minnesota and an author of the study. E. coli can contaminate food, but humans and animals can also carry and transmit the bacteria to one another. For the most part, this bacteria won’t bother us; only specific E. coli strains have the capacity to colonize the urinary tract and cause U. T.I.s. “As long as they stay where they belong in the gut, everybody’s happy,” Dr. Johnson said. “It’s only when they get confused and go somewhere that they shouldn’t be that trouble can happen.”

Other foods, including plants, can potentially harbor the E. coli that causes U.T.I.s, but those strains seem to be more commonly found in meats than in other foods, Dr. Price said.

There’s no way to determine the source of a U.T.I. based on symptoms, although you’re far more likely to get infected from a nonfood source of E. coli than from food-borne E. coli, Dr. Johnson said. And other bacteria can also cause U.T.I.s.

The findings from this study don’t mean you should immediately change your eating habits, said Dr. Michelle Van Kuiken, a urologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “There’s not a one-to-one correlation” between eating meat and U.T.I.s., she said, adding that she sees plenty of patients with recurrent U.T.I.s who are vegetarians and vegans. But further research might illuminate how diet can impact the risk of infection.

The recent findings should remind people to double down on preventive measures when cooking meat, Dr. Price said. That means being mindful not just when you handle raw meat itself but also when you interact with the packaging — especially the potentially bacteria-laden juices in a raw chicken container, for example.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people take basic steps to safely prepare food and prevent potential E. coli exposure, including washing hands before, during and after cooking; using separate cutting boards for raw meats and other items like produce; ensuring that meats are cooked to the appropriate temperature; and refrigerating foods properly.

While it may seem counterintuitive to associate kitchen hygiene with U.T.I. prevention, Dr. Johnson said that the emerging research on food-borne E. coli shows that taking these steps could potentially ward off infection, just the way urinating after sex, staying hydrated and properly wiping might.

“Most people don’t really understand how U.T.I.s happen,” he said. “They just happen.”

Dani Blum is a reporter for Well.

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The duration and severity of a runny nose can be influenced not only by drugs, but also by diet, scientists say.

First of all, during a runny nose, ENT doctors recommend giving up any dairy products. Casein and lactose in their composition increase the production of mucus in the body. It is also better to temporarily refrain from eating soy, since this product, like other protein-rich foods, also leads to excess mucus secretion. By the way, for the same reason, it is better to impose a weekly moratorium on nuts and seeds. Sweets are also prohibited. Excess sugar increases not only nasal congestion, but also a sore throat. Therefore, for some time, try to completely eliminate sweets from your diet. Like coffee, strong tea (especially sweet), as well as all other drinks with caffeine, the excess of which can also increase mucus secretion. What to do to make the runny nose go away faster? Eat liquid food and drink more clean water, which reduces the volume of mucus, makes it easier to flush out of the nose, and also helps to clear the airways. Water should not be cold or hot, but warm.

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90,000 causes, symptoms. diagnostics and treatment – health articles

11/10/2022

The main factor predisposing to the development of rhinitis can be considered hypothermia, which contributes to the violation of the body’s defense mechanisms and the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and oral cavity. Another factor is the decrease in the body’s resistance due to acute or chronic diseases.

Warming, humidifying and filtering the inhaled air, the nasal cavity performs a protective function. The nasal cavity and bronchi are anatomically interconnected, covered with ciliated epithelium and equipped with an arsenal of innate and acquired defense mechanisms. Therefore, conditions that cause a runny nose can be a trigger for the development of a disease of the lower respiratory tract.

Causes

The most common causes of rhinitis are: environmental irritants such as dust, smog, smoking and secondhand smoke, and strong odors such as perfumes or cleaning products can cause non-allergic rhinitis. Chemical fumes to which some people are exposed at work may also be contributing factors to the development of rhinitis.

Fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity often cause a runny nose. Contrary to popular belief, the likelihood of inflammation of the nasal mucosa in cold weather is only slightly higher than in high air temperatures.

Among the most common causes of rhinitis are viral infections such as the common cold or the flu. Such rhinitis usually resolves within a few weeks, but in some cases it can become chronic, causing a persistent, usually mild, runny nose.

Some foods and drinks, especially very hot and/or spicy foods, can cause rhinitis directly or indirectly. Drinking alcoholic beverages can also cause nasal congestion or a runny nose.

Some drugs can trigger non-allergic rhinitis. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for hypertension, such as beta-blockers. In some people, rhinitis is caused by sedatives, antidepressants, oral contraceptives, or medications used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes rhinitis is caused by the abuse of nasal drops. Changes in hormonal levels, such as during pregnancy, during menstruation, and in certain diseases, are another possible cause of rhinitis. Emotional and/or physical stress can also cause rhinitis in some cases.

Symptoms

Acute coryza affects both halves of the nose. In the development of inflammatory local changes in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, 3 stages are distinguished:

• stage of irritation: dryness and stuffiness of the nose, swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membrane, especially in the area of ​​the turbinates;
• serous stage: a sharp violation of nasal breathing, abundant mucous discharge from the nose, sneezing, lacrimation, conjunctivitis;
• stage of mucopurulent discharge is characterized by improvement in nasal breathing: mucopurulent discharge gradually decreases, recovery occurs in 7-8 days.

The disease develops acutely, manifested by chills, malaise, headache, sneezing and obsessive cough, decreased sense of smell, changes in taste and timbre of the voice, nasal, hearing loss, lacrimation and conjunctivitis.

On palpation, there may be local pain in the forehead and bridge of the nose.

Often, nasopharyngitis is complicated by tracheobronchitis, bronchopneumonia, otitis media, stomatitis, ethmoiditis, dacryocystitis, dermatitis of the vestibule of the nose and nasolabial region, rarely – pharyngeal abscess.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute rhinitis is not difficult, and includes asking the patient about his complaints, how much time has passed since the onset of the first symptoms. If you carefully follow the chain of symptoms of the disease with the order of their appearance, you can easily determine at what stage of development the inflammatory process in the nasal cavity is.

The final diagnosis is made after a special examination by an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). The doctor examines the nasal cavity using a special device called a light reflector, which reflects light from a light bulb and directs it into the nasal cavity being examined.

With rhinitis at an early stage of development, redness and swelling of the mucous membrane is usually noticeable. In the future, purulent discharge appears.

Treatment

Therapeutic therapy with traditional methods is based on the use of pharmacological preparations, which are indispensable for certain types of rhinitis. First of all, we are talking about antiseptic and antibacterial drugs. With the help of some of them, it is possible, for example, to get rid of sinusitis without a puncture (puncture). During an allergic rhinitis, antihistamines and local hormonal drugs and so on are used.

In addition to drug therapy, phytotherapy, reflexology, breathing exercises, and aromatherapy are used. Herbal medicine involves the use of herbal remedies, as well as infusions and herbal decoctions.