If you wake up every day with a stuffy nose, feel a persistent drip in the back of your throat, or you’re constantly fighting the urge to clear your throat, you’re not alone.

Chronic rhinitis is a frustrating condition that affects millions of Americans, and too often, it’s misdiagnosed or passed off as “just allergies.”

But we don’t believe anyone should have to spend the rest of their life battling these symptoms. As an award-winning, board-certified Otolaryngologist (ENT), Dr. Arjuna Kuperan has dedicated his career to helping patients find relief from conditions that cause chronic nasal congestion.

Here’s what he wants his patients to know about chronic rhinitis and how to treat it effectively.

What Is Chronic Rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis is a long-term nasal inflammation that leads to persistent nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, and sneezing. While a common cold or seasonal allergy might come and go, this condition can last for several weeks or months, and often disrupts your sleep, ability to focus, and quality of life.

There are two types of chronic rhinitis:

• Allergic rhinitis
  Nasal inflammation triggered by seasonal or year-round allergens, like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
• Non-allergic rhinitis
  Nasal inflammation caused by environmental irritants, weather changes, or nerve sensitivity in the lining of the nasal cavities.

Causes and Risk Factors

For many people, living with chronic rhinitis means constantly encountering triggers and sensitivities. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Environmental allergens
  Mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, and pollen are some of the most common culprits behind allergic rhinitis, and inhaling these allergens often sets off an immune response.
• Air pollution and irritants
  Smoke, smog, and strong chemicals can take a toll on the nasal passages, triggering bouts of inflammation and other uncomfortable side effects.
• Weather changes
  People who are sensitive to environmental conditions may notice inflammation develop after sudden shifts in temperature or a drop in humidity — even if no allergens or pollutants are present.
• Hormonal imbalances
  Sometimes, changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, menstruation, or thyroid conditions can worsen nasal inflammation and congestion.
• Medications
  Certain medications, such as beta-blockers or long-term use of nasal decongestant sprays, can aggravate patients’ rhinitis.
• Structural issues
  If you have a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, or another obstruction blocking airflow and trapping irritants, you may be more prone to developing chronic rhinitis.
• Genetics and age
  Often, people who have a family history of allergies or sinus issues may have a greater risk of chronic rhinitis and may notice their symptoms worsening as they age.

How Chronic Rhinitis Differs from Other Nasal Conditions

“The most challenging part of diagnosing chronic rhinitis is that it shares symptoms with many other conditions,” explains Dr. Kuperan. “Unfortunately, without a proper diagnosis, it can be difficult to find relief.”

Here are a few other common conditions, and how they differ from chronic rhinitis:

• Chronic Sinusitis
  Sinusitis is another type of inflammation that’s similar to rhinitis. However, instead of affecting the nasal passageways, chronic sinusitis impacts the sinus cavities. Usually, it presents with facial pressure, headaches, and thick nasal discharge — which you may not experience with rhinitis.
• Seasonal Allergies
  Allergic rhinitis flares up during times of the year when plants produce large amounts of pollen, but fades when pollen counts drop. Chronic rhinitis, on the other hand, persists regardless of the season (though seasonal allergens may trigger it).
• Deviated Septum
  A deviated septum is a condition that occurs when the thin wall of cartilage and bone between the nostrils is shifted off center and often causes chronic sinus issues and difficulty breathing through one (or both) sides of your nose. While a deviated septum may make you more susceptible to rhinitis, it’s a structural issue rather than an inflammatory one.
• Nasal Polyps
  Nasal polyps are benign growths that often block nasal passages and mimic many of the same symptoms as rhinitis. However, like a deviated septum, it’s a separate condition that usually requires a surgical procedure to correct.

Common Symptoms

Most patients describe this condition as a never-ending cycle of discomfort and poor breathing. Here are several frequently reported chronic rhinitis symptoms:

• Nasal congestion
  A blocked feeling caused by swelling and excess mucus that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, especially while lying down.
• Chronic runny nose
  Ongoing nasal drainage that often worsens when you encounter environmental irritants, cold air, or intense physical activity.
• Postnasal drip
  A “dripping” of mucus down the back of the throat, which may cause coughing, a sore throat, or make you feel like you’re unable to clear your throat.
• Frequent sneezing
  Disruptive sneezing (or often feeling the need to sneeze) after breathing in dust, strong odors, or another type of irritant.
• Decreased sense of smell
  A reduced sensitivity to odors or strong fragrances (which is often accompanied by a dulled ability to taste).
• Itchy nose or throat
  A persistent feeling of itchiness in the nose and/or throat that interferes with daily comfort and may lead to coughing or frequently feeling the need to blow your nose.
• Frequent throat clearing
  Often caused by chronic nasal drip, this symptom can strain your voice and lead to irritation at the back of the throat.

Diagnosis of Chronic Rhinitis

Since chronic rhinitis is often misdiagnosed, it’s important you seek out an expert, like Dr. Kuperan, who has the knowledge and skills to correctly identify this condition and recommend the most effective treatment.

First, Dr. Kuperan will review your medical history and ask about your symptoms, how long they’ve persisted, and what factors seem to worsen them. He may also perform allergy testing to help determine whether specific allergens may be to blame.

Then, he will examine your nasal passages using a special tiny camera called an endoscope. This way, he can pinpoint inflammation and whether you have any structural concerns, such as enlarged turbinates or a deviated septum. In some cases, he may also order additional imaging, such as a CT scan, to rule out other conditions and provide an accurate chronic rhinitis diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Chronic Rhinitis

The best treatment for chronic rhinitis depends on the underlying cause of your condition, as well as other factors like age, overall health, and medical history.

Here are a few treatments Dr. Kuperan may recommend to help you breathe easier:

• Lifestyle and environmental modifications
  While we can’t always change our environments, reducing your exposure to allergens, using an air purifier, and investing in a humidifier can help minimize your chances of triggering inflammation.
• Saline irrigation
  Regularly rinsing your nasal cavities with saline can help thin mucus, clear out irritants, and reduce swelling.
• Medications
  Antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, and decongestants can help control inflammation and reduce your symptoms.
• Allergy treatments
  For patients dealing with allergic rhinitis, allergy shots and/or sublingual tablets may help provide long-term rhinitis relief.
• ClariFix® Cryotherapy
  This minimally invasive in-office treatment freezes your overactive nasal nerve to reduce symptoms like congestion and a runny nose.
• Breatheplasty®
  This procedure was developed by Dr. Kuperan to permanently open the nasal passages and deliver long-lasting relief from chronic congestion and nasal obstruction.
• Other surgical options
  If your condition is caused by a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps, an endoscopic surgery can help. Fortunately, surgical treatment for chronic rhinitis is often minimally invasive and has a straightforward recovery.

Managing Chronic Rhinitis in Daily Life

Struggling with chronic rhinitis can be exhausting and frustrating — especially if your symptoms have been dismissed or ignored. But you don’t have to continue living in discomfort. While small steps, like aiming to avoid known triggers, using saline rinses, and taking over-the-counter medications can provide some relief, many patients need a more advanced treatment to feel their best.

With his advanced tools and in-depth knowledge, Dr. Kuperan has helped many patients finally breathe freely, sleep better, and live more comfortably.

If you believe you have chronic rhinitis and you’re tired of letting your condition hold you back, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kuperan. Lasting relief is just around the corner.