About the Causes of Rhinitis and How to Address Them

Hello. We are Ojigo N+ Clinic, which has spent the past 16 years thinking only about your healthy and beautiful nose.

The topic we prepared this time is an explanation of the causes of rhinitis and how to address them.

What is rhinitis? It is a common condition that more than 70% of adults in our country have. The causes of rhinitis can be divided into allergic rhinitis and structural rhinitis caused by abnormalities in the internal structure of the nose. Allergic rhinitis, which is commonly known, accounts for 20%, while structural rhinitis caused by internal structural abnormalities accounts for 80%. Symptoms occur more often due to structural rhinitis, and representative symptoms may include nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.

First, one of the commonly known causes of rhinitis is allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is closely related to an individual's constitution because reactions occur to specific substances such as pollen, food, and dust, or during certain seasons. In the case of allergic rhinitis, surgery does not improve it, so rather than expecting symptom relief through surgery, ongoing medication and strengthening the immune system should come first for health management.

On the other hand, in the case of structural rhinitis caused by abnormalities in the internal structure of the nose, the second cause of rhinitis, symptoms can be improved through surgery and treatment. The causes include a deviated septum, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, and nasal valve stenosis, often in combination. In the case of a deviated septum, the cartilage that acts as a partition dividing the nostrils in two is called the septum, and this refers to a condition in which the septum is bent. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy refers to a condition in which the inferior turbinate, the fleshy tissue inside the nose, becomes enlarged. Nasal valve stenosis refers to a condition in which the nasal valve, which serves as the roof of the nose, becomes narrowed.

These structural causes of rhinitis—deviated septum, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, and nasal valve stenosis—each interfere with the flow of air entering through the nose, and typically cause nasal congestion. In cases of structural rhinitis, a deviated septum may occur on its own, but there are also many cases where multiple factors progress together. Therefore, it is important to accurately identify the cause of nasal congestion and perform the appropriate surgery accordingly.

Also, because it is difficult to determine with the naked eye whether the cause of rhinitis is structural rhinitis or allergic rhinitis, diagnosis through equipment is essential for an accurate assessment.

At Ojigo N+ Clinic, to ensure safe and satisfying rhinitis surgery, we accurately assess the current condition of the nose through 3D-CT scans, internal endoscopic examinations, various allergy tests, and nasal function tests. Based on the data obtained by analyzing the cause of rhinitis, we establish a surgical plan and proceed with surgery using the most suitable method for each individual.

As for rhinitis surgery methods, it is important to accurately identify the cause of rhinitis and then proceed with the appropriate surgery. In the case of a deviated septum, the bent septum is corrected properly. For inferior turbinate hypertrophy, the enlarged inferior turbinate is reduced using a laser. For nasal valve stenosis, the narrowed nasal valve passage is widened. Although these three causes of rhinitis are different, they all commonly obstruct the flow of air entering through the nose and cause nasal congestion, so corrective procedures are performed to widen the passage so that airflow can be smoothly regulated.

In addition, in the case of deviated septum surgery, part of the septal cartilage is removed for correction. At this time, the remaining septal cartilage can be used to correct the nasal tip, allowing for functional rhinoplasty that can also include cosmetic nose surgery, which can lead to a more satisfying rhinitis surgery.

At Ojigo N+ Clinic, CEO Physician Yun Hyun-cheol personally handles every process one-on-one, from rhinitis-related consultation to surgical planning, performance, treatment, and follow-up care. By accurately identifying the cause of rhinitis and performing surgery suited to each individual, high-level medical services can be provided before and after surgery.

Postoperative care includes not only a warranty system that guarantees after-service for one year after surgery, but also a surgery responsibility guarantee system in preparation for all possible situations such as postoperative pain, inflammation, or dissatisfaction with the appearance, resulting in even safer and more satisfying rhinitis surgery.

(The image above shows before-and-after photos of rhinitis surgery performed after identifying the cause of rhinitis at Ojigo N+ Clinic.)

This concludes our summary of the causes of rhinitis and how to address them at Ojigo N+ Clinic. We hope this article has been very helpful for those who are struggling with nasal congestion and difficulty in daily life due to rhinitis. Thank you.

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