Non-allergic rhinitis

Description

Non-allergic rhinitis involves sneezing or nasal congestion, runny nose. It can be a long-term problem, and you do not have a clear cause. The symptoms are similar to those of hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis. But non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergies.

Non-allergic rhinitis can affect children and adults. But it is more common after the age of 20 years. The factors that trigger the symptoms vary from person to person. The triggers may include some:

  • Dust, fumes and other irritants in the air.
  • Changes of climate.
  • Drugs.
  • Hot or spicy foods.
  • Long-term health problems.

Health care providers often first make sure a person, the symptoms are not caused by allergies. So you may need to skin or blood tests to find out if you have allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms

Non-allergic rhinitis, symptoms often come and go throughout the year. Symptoms may include:

  • Stuffy or runny nose.
  • Sneezing.
  • The mucus in the throat.
  • For cough.

Non-allergic rhinitis more often does not cause an itchy nose, eyes or throat. The symptom is related to allergies, such as hay fever.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if:

  • Have serious symptoms.
  • You have not achieved relief home remedies or medicines purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription.
  • Having bad side effects of medications.

Causes

The exact cause of non-allergic rhinitis is unknown.

But experts know that the non-allergic rhinitis that occurs when the blood vessels in the nose expand. These blood vessels fill the tissue that lines the inside of the nose. There are many things that can cause this. For example, the nerve endings in the nose might react to the triggers too easily.

But any cause brings the same result: the inflammation on the inside of the nose, stuffy or portions of the mucosa.

Triggers of non-allergic rhinitis may include:

  • Irritants in the air. These include dust, the smog and the smoke of the cigarettes. Strong odors, such as perfumes can also cause the symptoms start. So can chemical fumes, including the fumes of some workers may be exposed in their jobs.
  • Time. Changes in temperature or humidity can cause inflammation in the lining of the nose. This can cause a runny or stuffy nose.
  • Infections. Diseases caused by viruses often cause non-allergic rhinitis. These include a cold or the flu.
  • The food and drinks. Non-allergic rhinitis can occur when you eat. Hot or spicy foods are the main triggers. The consumption of alcohol may also cause the tissue that lines the inside of the nose to swell. This can lead to a congestion of the nose.
  • Some medications.These include aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). High blood pressure medications such as beta blockers can cause symptoms. Drugs that have a calming effect, called sedatives, can cause rhinitis is not allergic too. So can medications for depression. Birth control pills and medications for treating erectile dysfunction can also trigger the symptoms. And the use of decongestant nasal spray or drops too often can cause a type of non-allergic rhinitis called rhinitis medicamentosa.
  • The hormonal changes. These can be due to pregnancy, periods or birth control use. Hormonal problems that can cause non-allergic rhinitis include a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This is called hypothyroidism.
  • The issues related to the dream. Lying on your back during sleep can cause non-allergic rhinitis. Acid reflux happens during the night also can be a trigger.

Some medications. These include aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). High blood pressure medications such as beta blockers can cause symptoms.

Drugs that have a calming effect, called sedatives, can cause rhinitis is not allergic too. So can medications for depression. Birth control pills and medications for treating erectile dysfunction can also trigger the symptoms. And the use of decongestant nasal spray or drops too often can cause a type of non-allergic rhinitis called rhinitis medicamentosa.

Risk factors

Things which can make you more likely to get non-allergic rhinitis include:

  • Breathing in some types of air impure. The Smog, exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke are some of the things you may increase the risk of non-allergic rhinitis.
  • To be of age of 20 years. The majority of people who contract the non-allergic rhinitis are 20 or more. That makes it different from allergic rhinitis, that people often have when they are under the age of 20 years.
  • The use of sprays or nasal drops for a long time. Do not use store-bought decongestant drops or sprays oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, other) for more than a couple of days. A stuffy nose or other symptoms may be worse when the decongestant wears off. This is often called rebound congestion.
  • To become pregnant or have periods. The congestion in the nose often gets worse during these times due to the hormonal changes.
  • Be exposed to the fumes in the work. In some lines of work, the steam supply can cause non-allergic rhinitis to start. Some common triggers include the building materials and chemical products. The vapors of compost can also be a trigger.
  • Some health problems. Long-term health problems can cause non-allergic rhinitis or make things worse. These include diabetes and a problem that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Complications

Non-allergic rhinitis may be related to:

  • The nasal polyps. These are soft growths that form in the tissue that lines the inside of the nose. The polyps also can form in the lining of the spaces in the interior of the nose and the head, called sinuses. Polyps are caused by the swelling, also known as inflammation. They are not cancer. Small polyps may not cause problems. But the greatest of them can block the flow of air through the nose. That makes it hard to breathe.
  • The Sinusitis. This is the inflammation of the sinuses. Long-term congestion in the nose due to the non-allergic rhinitis may increase the risk of sinusitis.
  • Problems with daily life. Non-allergic rhinitis can adversely affect work or school grades. You might also have to take time off when their symptoms flare, or when you need a checkup.

Prevention

If you have non-allergic rhinitis, take measures to relieve the symptoms and prevent flare-ups:

  • Learn your triggers. Find out what are the factors that cause symptoms, or worse. That way you can stay away from them. Your health care provider can help you to learn your triggers.
  • Do not use decongestant nose sprays or drops for too long. The use of these medicines for more than a couple of days at a time can make your symptoms worse.
  • Get the treatment that works. If you have tried a drug that doesn't help enough, talk to your health care provider. A change to your plan of treatment may be necessary to prevent or relieve your symptoms.

Non-allergic rhinitis

Diagnosis

Your doctor will likely give you a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You will need tests to find out if something other than the non-allergic rhinitis is the cause of your symptoms.

You can have non-allergic rhinitis if:

  • Have a stuffy nose.
  • Your nose is running or mucus drips down the back of your throat.
  • Tests for other health problems not to find causes, such as allergies or a sinus problem.

In some cases, your doctor may have you try a medicine to see if symptoms improve.

Checking for allergies

Allergies often cause symptoms such as sneezing and stuffy, runny nose. Some tests can help to ensure that your symptoms are not caused by an allergy. You may need a skin or blood tests.

  • Skin test. The skin is pricked and exposed to small pieces of common allergens found in the air. These include dust mites, mold, pollen, and dander from cats and dogs. If you are allergic to any of these, you'll likely get a bump where her skin was pricked. If you're not allergic, your skin has no changes.
  • Blood test. A lab can test a sample of your blood to find out if you have an allergy. The lab checks for high levels of proteins called antibodies to immunoglobulin E. These can release chemicals that cause the symptoms of allergy.

Sometimes, the symptoms can be caused by both allergic and non-allergic triggers.

The verification of sinus problems

Your healthcare provider will also want to know if the symptoms are due to a sinus problem. You may need an imaging test to check your breasts.

  • Nasal Endoscopy. This test checks the breasts with a thin tool that has a camera at the end. The tool is called an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted through the nostrils to look inside the nose.
  • computed tomography (CT scan). This test uses X-rays to create images of the sinuses. The images are more detailed than those made by the typical tests of x-rays.

Treatment

The treatment of non-allergic rhinitis depends on how much it bothers him. The treatment at home and staying away from triggers may be sufficient for mild cases. Medicines can relieve the symptoms worse. These include:

  • Nasal sprays of saline solution. The saline solution is a mixture of salt and water. Nasal Spray saline solution helps to moisturize the nose. It also helps to thin the mucus and soothes the tissue that lines the inside of the nose. You can buy nasal spray saline solution on the shelves in stores. But a homemade remedy known as the nose of the irrigation might work even better. This involves the use of a large amount of saline solution or a mixture of salt water to help flush out the irritants and mucus.
  • Antihistamine nasal sprays.Antihistamines in the treatment of many health problems, including allergies. An antihistamine nasal spray can relieve the symptoms of rhinitis is not allergic too. Your medical professional can write a prescription that allows you to purchase this type of spray in a pharmacy. These aerosols include azelastine (Astepro, Astepro Allergy) or hydrochloride, olopatadine (Patanase). Antihistamines taken by mouth often do not work as well for the non-allergic rhinitis as they do for allergic rhinitis. These antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin).
  • Ipratropium nasal spray. This recipe spray can relieve the nose, runny nose. Side effects may include bleeding from the nose and the dryness in the interior of the nose.
  • Decongestants. These medicines help to narrow the blood vessels in the nose and decrease congestion. Side effects may include high blood pressure, pounding heartbeats, and feeling restless. Decongestants can be purchased off the shelves of the store, or with a prescription. Examples include medicines with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed 24 Hours), and phenylephrine.
  • Steroids. These medications help prevent and treat the inflammation associated with some types of non-allergic rhinitis. Side effects may include dryness of the nose or throat, nasal bleeding and headaches. Your doctor may suggest a steroid nasal spray if decongestants or antihistamines do not control your symptoms. Steroid sprays that you can buy off the shelf include fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief), and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24 Hours). Stronger steroid sprays can also be prescribed.

Antihistamine nasal sprays. Antihistamines in the treatment of many health problems, including allergies. An antihistamine nasal spray can relieve the symptoms of rhinitis is not allergic too. Your medical professional can write a prescription that allows you to purchase this type of spray in a pharmacy. These aerosols include azelastine (Astepro, Astepro Allergy) or hydrochloride, olopatadine (Patanase).

Antihistamines taken by mouth often do not work as well for the non-allergic rhinitis as they do for allergic rhinitis. These antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin).

Your doctor may suggest surgery to the treatment of other problems that can happen with non-allergic rhinitis. For example, tumors in the nose, called polyps may need to be removed. The surgery can also fix a problem where the thin wall between the passages in which the nose is the center or crooked. This is called a deviated septum.

Self-care

Try these tips to relieve symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis:

  • Rinse the inside of the nose.The washing of the nose with saline solution or a house mixture of salt water can help. Works best when you do it on a daily basis. You can put the mixture in a syringe or a container called a neti pot. Or you could use the squeeze bottle included in kits of saline solution. To prevent diseases, the use of sterile distilled water, boiled and cooled, or filtered. If the filter tap water, the use of a filter with a pore size of 1 micron or less. Rinse the device after each use with the same type of water. Leave the device open to air dry.
  • Blow your nose gently. Do this often, if you have a large amount of mucus.
  • Adding moisture to the air.If the air in your home or office is dry, set a humidifier where you work or sleep. Follow the device's instructions on how to clean it. Or you could breathe in the steam of a hot shower. This helps to loosen the mucus in the nose. It also makes the head feel less stuffy.
  • Drink fluids. Drink plenty of water, juice and caffeine-free tea. This can help loosen the mucus in the nose. Stay away from drinks that have caffeine.

Rinse the inside of the nose. The washing of the nose with saline solution or a house mixture of salt water can help. Works best when you do it on a daily basis. You can put the mixture in a syringe or a container called a neti pot. Or you could use the squeeze bottle included in kits of saline solution.

To prevent diseases, the use of sterile distilled water, boiled and cooled, or filtered. If the filter tap water, the use of a filter with a pore size of 1 micron or less. Rinse the device after each use with the same type of water. Leave the device open to air dry.

Adding moisture to the air. If the air in your home or office is dry, set a humidifier where you work or sleep. Follow the device's instructions on how to clean it.

Or you could breathe in the steam of a hot shower. This helps to loosen the mucus in the nose. It also makes the head feel less stuffy.

Alternative medicine

Some small studies of non-allergic rhinitis have looked in the substance that gives peppers their heat is called capsaicin. These studies suggest that the use of capsaicin in the inside of the nose may help relieve congestion. But it can also irritate the nose and cause side effects such as burning, sneezing and coughing. More research is needed to find out how much capsaicin and for how long.

Some studies have also looked at an alternative treatment in which a thin, sterile needles are placed in the body. This is called acupuncture. It has been used to relieve pain and other problems. But some experts do not recommend the use of acupuncture for the non-allergic rhinitis.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis, here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make your appointment, ask your health care provider if there is anything that you need to do ahead of time. For example, you might be told not to take the medications for congestion prior to the appointment.

Make a list of:

  • Their symptoms. Include any that do not seem to be related to the reason for the appointment. Also note when each of the symptoms began.
  • Key of the personal information. Include recent illnesses, the major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take. Include how much you take.
  • Questions to ask your provider.

For the symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis, some basic questions to ask your provider include:

  • What could be causing my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • How long will my symptoms last?
  • What treatments are available, and which do you suggest for me?
  • I have other health problems. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Feel free to ask questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask questions such as:

  • Do you have symptoms all the time or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • What medications have been tried for his symptoms? Nothing has helped?
  • Do your symptoms get worse when you eat spicy food, drink alcohol or take certain medicines?
  • Are often exposed to fumes, chemicals, or smoke tobacco?
Symptoms and treatment of Non-allergic rhinitis