Rhinitis, Nasal Congestion, Runny Nose, Sneezing | Incheon Chronic Rhinitis
Table of Contents
Hello, this is Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.
A box of rectangular tissues, which has become an essential item in my life.
The changing seasons, the cool air in the mornings and evenings, and the inevitable sneezing and runny nose that begin whenever I go to a slightly dusty place.
Because of the clear runny nose that flows incessantly, tissues must always be within reach, and a foggy head from nasal congestion dissipates afternoon concentration.
“I have to sneeze at least ten times as soon as I wake up in the morning to start my day. My nose and eyes are so itchy that it's hard to concentrate on work.”
Chronic rhinitis is more than just an uncomfortable nose; it's a tiresome daily problem that hinders the simple wish of wanting to spend a whole day with a clear mind and refreshed condition.
Causes and Symptoms
Our nose's 'sensing sensor' has become overly sensitive.
The mucous membrane of our nose is a frontline 'sensing sensor' that protects the body from external harmful substances.
When the sensor detects danger, it expels it with sneezing, washes it away with a runny nose, and prevents invasion by swelling the nose (nasal congestion). This is a normal immune response.
However, chronic rhinitis is a state where the 'sensitivity' of this sensing sensor is abnormally heightened.
It mistakes even 'harmless guests' such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or simple temperature changes for 'dangerous enemies,' triggering an excessive emergency alarm.
Incessant sneezing, a clear runny nose flowing like a faucet, and alternating nasal congestion are all due to the overreaction of this sensitive sensor.
Traditional Korean Medicine Perspective
When the 'invisible shield' becomes thin and cold.
In Traditional Korean Medicine, it is believed that there is an 'invisible shield (Wei Qi 衛氣)' that protects our body from external environmental attacks.
The overall supervisor responsible for maintaining and managing this shield robustly is the 'Lung (肺)'.
Furthermore, the fundamental energy that warms this shield to make it function properly comes from the 'Kidney (腎)'.
Chronic rhinitis is viewed as a state where this shield is thin and weak (Lung Qi Deficiency 肺氣虛), or a state where the fundamental energy is insufficient, causing the shield to become cold (Kidney Yang Deficiency 腎陽虛).
Because the shield is weak, the body is easily penetrated even by minor stimuli, and because the shield is cold, clear, cold nasal discharge flows instead of warm nasal discharge.
Therefore, Traditional Korean Medicine treatment does not merely stop the runny nose but focuses on strengthening and thickening the 'shield' itself (Tonifying Lung Qi 補肺氣) and supplementing the body's fundamental energy (Tonifying Kidney 補腎) to cultivate fundamental strength that is not easily swayed by minor external stimuli.
Lifestyle Management
3 Habits to Calm a Sensitive Nose
It is important to reduce nasal irritation and find immune balance in daily life.
Habit 1: Environmental Management (Environment Control)
To avoid dust mites or pollen, which are causes of allergies, wash bedding frequently and use an air purifier to keep the air in your living space clean.
Habit 2: Temperature Maintenance (Temperature Shield)
Drastic temperature changes are the biggest enemy of rhinitis. Especially when going out in the mornings and evenings or during seasonal changes, it is advisable to wear a mask to prevent cold and dry air from directly irritating the nasal mucous membrane.
Habit 3: Immune Balance (Immune Balance)
Overwork, stress, and irregular sleep weaken our body's shield. Rest sufficiently and help your immune system operate stably through a balanced diet.
Prognosis and Golden Time
It's easy to dismiss chronic rhinitis as 'just a lifelong condition', turning the 'nose' problem into a 'whole respiratory system' problem.
However, the nose is the very first gateway of our respiratory system.
If this first line of defense is continuously breached, the problem can spread deeper.
Neglecting this path goes beyond a simple 'nose' problem; it opens up the possibility for chronic inflammation to spread into a problem of the 'entire respiratory system', leading to the sinuses (sinusitis), ears (otitis media), and bronchi (asthma).
But now, rebuilding this first gateway strongly goes beyond merely stopping runny nose and sneezing; it will be the most important first step in protecting your health from larger respiratory diseases that may occur in the future.