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Frequent Runny Nose (Chronic Rhinitis) Treatment: RhinAer In-Office Procedure

June 10th, 2022 | 5 min. read

By PATRICIA A. MAESO, MD

 

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for a box of tissues no matter where you are or what time of year it is? More than 19 million Americans suffer from chronic rhinitis that is not caused by seasonal allergies, or nonallergic rhinitis. 

The constant cough, congestion, and/or runny nose can greatly impact your daily life as it makes day-to-day tasks more difficult and may leave you avoiding visits to friends and family due to discomfort. Whether your constant runny nose is caused by allergies or for no apparent reason, relief is possible.


Want to see in the Rhinaer procedure is right for you and your chronic Runny nose?

Schedule an appointment for the Rhinaer procedure near you at any of our 9 convenient locations in Houston, TX to discuss the Rhinaer Procedure today!

 

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What is chronic rhinitis (runny nose)?

Chronic rhinitis can cause you to experience:

  • A constant runny nose
  • Congestion
  • Excessive sneezing
  • Nasal or throat itching

Without a medical professional, chronic rhinitis gets mistaken for seasonal allergies. Though it is accompanied by similar symptoms, there is one key difference — chronic rhinitis occurs year-round, unlike seasonal allergies.

Untreated chronic runny noses can greatly affect a person’s daily life in many ways, including making daily activities more difficult, causing an increase in sick days used at work, and leaving them feeling like they would rather stay home than go out and enjoy a day.

A constant runny nose is a condition found frequently among the general population. It often goes undiagnosed as some don’t think it is a condition requiring medical attention. Though millions of Americans suffer from chronic rhinitis or runny nose, it also often takes people too long to seek medical treatment as they feel it is “not worth” the trip to the doctor’s office because they believe it’s probably not a serious illness. 

 

What causes a chronic runny nose or rhinitis?

Seasonal allergies are often the result of an immune system response caused by pollen, ragweed, mold, dust mites, and pet dander with symptoms occurring during a specific time of year.  On the other hand,  chronic rhinitis does not have a definitive cause and does not involve the body’s immune system.

Chronic rhinitis may be caused by:

  • Perfumes
  • Laundry, dish, or other detergents
  • Strong odors
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Illness including an upper respiratory infection, the common cold, or flu
  • Cold and/or dry air
  • Spicy foods
  • Stress
  • Physical deformity like a deviated septum
  • Overuse of nasal spray
  • Certain medications, including aspirin, antidepressants, and ibuprofen

Non-allergic chronic rhinitis is the result of blood vessel dilation or expansion of blood vessels inside the nose leading to congestion and swelling in the nasal passages.

 

What is RhinAer?

RhinAer is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure for treating chronic rhinitis. It is performed by a licensed physician while the patient is under local anesthesia. RhinAer is an excellent treatment option for patients with diagnosed chronic rhinitis that report little to no relief from prescription or over-the-counter medications. With little to no downtime following the procedure, countless testimonials of successful results, and minimal discomfort during or after, RhinAer truly speaks for itself.

 


Interested in an appointment for the RhinAer Procedure?

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How does RhinAer work?

RhinAer is a minimally invasive procedure performed within a licensed ENT physician’s office. To start, your physician will apply a local anesthetic inside your nasal passages to numb the area and allow the allotted time for numbing to take place. Once fully numbed, a small wand is inserted into the affected nostril targeting overactive nerves through low-temperature radiofrequency energy.

The RhinAer procedure is designed to reduce the production and flow of excessive mucus as well as to help shrink the surrounding soft tissue. In doing so, it not only treats your chronic runny nose but the constant congestion you experience too. 

With no downtime following the procedure, many patients return to work the same day or the next day.

 

Who is an ideal candidate for RhinAer?

Because RhinAer has few side effects with essentially no downtime, it is an excellent treatment option for patients experiencing symptoms of chronic rhinitis or runny nose. To receive this treatment, a licensed physician must make an eligible diagnosis, such as chronic rhinitis. 

 People experiencing the following are ideal candidates for RhinAer:

  • Moderate to severe chronic runny nose
  • Post-nasal drip
  • Chronic throat clearing
  • Congestion
  • Excessive sneezing
  • Unsuccessful functional endoscopic sinus surgery
  • Little to no relief from nasal spray and/or medication

If you are interested in learning more about RhinAer or to determine if this minimally invasive procedure is right for you, a licensed Ear, Nose, and Throat physician can help you to learn more about the procedure, provide a physical examination to determine the cause of your chronic runny nose, and provide a personalized treatment plan to help you experience symptom relief.

 

Benefits of RhinAer vs Medications

The thought of having a surgical procedure often leaves people too worried to follow through with treatment, however, RhinAer is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a chronic runny nose. Because many people do not seek treatment right away for a constant runny nose or congestion, they have often gone through more than one over-the-counter medication seeking relief. RhinAer provides relief from both congestion and a runny nose associated with chronic rhinitis.

Patients choose this procedure as it leaves them free to enjoy their life without the constant need to reach for a box of tissues or carry medications with them everywhere they go in fear of an attack. While over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide temporary relief from symptoms, RhinAer offers lasting relief with a fast recovery.

Other RhinAer benefits include:

  • No daily medications needed
  • Quick recovery time and immediate relief
  • Minimal discomfort during the procedure
  • No need for general anesthesia

Medications used to treat chronic rhinitis are simply designed to manage symptoms associated with the condition, while RhinAer is designed to treat the underlying problem by shrinking the affected soft tissue and calming overactive nerves. With lasting results, people experience an improved quality of life with RhinAer rather than the continual use of medications.

 

Contact Houston ENT & Allergy for Chronic Runny Nose Treatment

Founded in 1907, physicians at Houston Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy have been providing excellent medical care and serving the Houston community for more than 100 years. With a highly-skilled staff, patient care and comfort are our number one priority.

Our team consists of board-certified Otolaryngologists, facial plastics and reconstructive surgeons, allergists, audiologists, and sleep medicine physicians that offer:

Chronic rhinitis or runny nose is a serious medical condition that can impact a person’s quality of life. Our board-certified ear, nose, throat, and allergy physicians are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and equipment needed to treat this condition with lasting results. 

Our physicians and team members understand how feeling unwell can alter multiple aspects of a patient’s life which is why we strive to provide a quick, accurate diagnosis with an individualized plan of care based on your past medical history, family history, and the severity of symptoms you are experiencing.

For a person living with untreated chronic rhinitis or other allergy-related symptoms including constant congestion, excessive sneezing, or other unwanted symptoms, over-the-counter medication is often a band-aid solution rather than a true treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms that disrupt your daily life, do not hesitate to seek medical care. 

Regardless of the cause of symptoms, the board-certified physicians at Houston Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy are here to help!  Contact Houston ENT & Allergy today for an in-person or telemedicine appointment.