Spring is a season when many hay fever patients visit the clinic because of wide daily temperature difference from morning to night. Especially every spring, if you have rhinitis on fall like an annual event, then allergic rhinitis can develop to chronic rhinitis. Unlike the common cold, hay fever is not due to infection of the bacteria, so you cannot be healed with couple treatments. Therefore, hay fever is considered as an incurable disease. But this does not mean it cannot be treated, so intensive treatment and careful management are necessary. Hay fever symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, itchiness, congested nose, which is accompanied by nasal mucous membrane infection; allergic rhinitis specific symptom is clear runny nose.
Allergic rhinitis cause is first, allergens such as dust mites, flower pollens, mold, fine dust, animal hair, dry air, etc. Second is decline of immune system. Third cause is genetic factor. If one or both parents have allergy, then the percentage of children also having allergy is 50~75%. Most of the people do not recognize initial symptoms of rhinitis as hay fever or misdiagnose as common cold because it does not interfere with their everyday life. Or they live on by relieving symptoms by taking anti-histamine medication that dries up runny nose.
When rhinitis becomes chronic, symptoms include breathing through the mouth or habits of snorting, rather than runny nose, itching, and sneezing. Once you think it is uncomfortable, there is high chance that chronic rhinitis has already been developed without you realizing. Children that breath through their mouth because of nasal congestion can develop an unusual growth of the jaw and change of face called Adenoid hypertrophy, which is the main cause of growth impairment. So parents need to pay close attention.
Korean Medicine therapy for rhinitis begins with herbal spray and ointment that relieves infection of the nasal mucosa to alleviate the swollen mucous membrane expel pus from the nose and expel pus. However, improving patient’s immune system by balancing deficiency and loss, and maintaining health by building inner body strength are necessary to treat the root problem of rhinitis. In order to build physical resistance against cold and other external stimulants by improving weak constitutions, then herbal formula that reinforces the lungs, which are directly connected with the nose, bronchus, and rest of respiratory system, and the stomach, which is in charge of body circulation, are necessary.
The following are acupressure points beneficial for rhinitis: the space between two bones bulging out when bending the head down is called “Da Zhui” or “Great Vertebra”; massage lightly. Applying heat packs over the location is beneficial for clear runny nose.
Acupressure point located in the nasolabial groove where the nasolabial fold starts is called “Ying Xiang” or “Welcome Fragrance” is effective in promoting blood circulation at the nasal cavity. Use your thumbs to apply pressure around the nose, or rub both sides of nose frequently to increase the temperature of the nose.
The following are herbal teas beneficial for rhinitis: Mint Tea is opens up congested nose and clears heat in the nasal cavity. Ginger Tea warms the body and is effective in prevention of cold and allergic rhinitis by improving metabolism. However, if you have rhinitis, then receiving consultation with a specialist and appropriate treatment is recommended. Prevention of disease is first priority, so strive to strengthen immunity by maintain proper lifestyle.
Published by KoreaTimes under <Health Column> on April 15th, 2014.
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