Your nose gets older, too
Although a long life is a huge blessing, getting older can be a real pain. And it’s not just joints and muscles that change as we age…surprisingly, our noses change, too. The supporting cartilage weakens, restricting air flow. This restriction can cause a feeling of nasal obstruction, facial pressure, and a decreased sense of smell and taste. For this reason, you may be considering Geriatric Rhinitis Treatment NYC.
Other physiological changes associated with aging can make these problems worse. Mucus, for instance, tends to thicken as we age, due to a reduction in the number of submucosal glands. Additionally, decreases in blood flow can lead to dryness and crusting in the nose and sinuses. To add insult to injury, the decongestants and antihistamines that are helpful for younger people are actually harmful for older individuals.
What you can do
Home treatments for older noses should emphasize keeping the tissue moist and the mucus as thin as possible. This includes:
- Using a home humidifier
- Drinking plenty of water
- Using a saline rinse
- Drinking hot tea
- Placing a warm, damp towel over the nose and sinuses
- Minimizing exposure to allergens such as dust and dander
If you or someone you know is struggling with geriatric rhinitis, we urge you to contact us today. More than 14% of adults over the age of 65 report problems with rhinitis, and the condition is under-diagnosed and under-treated. But there are treatments available that can help control and alleviate sinus problems such as Geriatric Rhinitis Treatment NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
As we age, the supporting cartilage in the nose weakens, which can restrict airflow. This leads to sensations of nasal obstruction, facial pressure, and a decreased sense of smell and taste. Additionally, mucus thickens due to fewer submucosal glands, and reduced blood flow causes dryness and crusting in the nose and sinuses.
Decongestants and antihistamines, while helpful for younger individuals, can be harmful to older adults. They may cause side effects or exacerbate existing conditions in the elderly. Therefore, these medications should be used with caution or avoided in geriatric rhinitis treatment.
To manage geriatric rhinitis at home, it’s important to keep nasal tissues moist and mucus thin. Effective measures include using a humidifier, drinking plenty of water, performing saline rinses, drinking hot tea, applying a warm damp towel over the nose and sinuses, and minimizing exposure to allergens like dust and dander.
More than 14% of adults over the age of 65 report problems with rhinitis. Despite its prevalence, geriatric rhinitis is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, making awareness and proper care important for this age group.
A reduction in the number of submucosal glands decreases mucus production quality, causing it to thicken with age. Additionally, decreased blood flow to the nasal tissues leads to dryness and crusting, compounding discomfort for older individuals.
If symptoms such as nasal obstruction, facial pressure, decreased smell, or persistent dryness interfere with daily life or do not improve with home treatments, it’s important to contact a healthcare provider. Professional treatments like those available through Geriatric Rhinitis Treatment NYC can help alleviate these issues effectively.