Guide To The Causes Of Chronic Rhinitis

Rhinitis, more commonly called hay fever, is one of the most common ailments individuals suffer from daily and affects between forty million to sixty million Americans. Rhinitis is a mild allergic reaction that occurs when the mucous membranes on the inside of the nose come into contact with allergens or irritants. The most common symptoms are a runny nose, sinus congestion, swollen nasal passages, difficulty breathing, and itchy eyes. While this condition certainly isn't life-threatening, it can still be highly annoying.

Outdoor Allergens

The most common reason individuals suffer from chronic rhinitis is a mild allergic reaction to outdoor allergens such as pollen, dust, trees, flowers, grasses, and airborne mold spores. Even if individuals think they don't have any allergies, chronic hay fever could be a sign they have mild allergies that are too weak to be detected by some allergy tests. Symptoms some patients may experience associated with chronic rhinitis include swollen nasal passages, sneezing, congestion, and even difficulty breathing, along with a runny nose. For those who suffer allergies the most when they are outside, especially with constant sneezing and a runny nose, they have allergic rhinitis. However, individuals with nonallergic rhinitis will test negative for any specific outdoors allergies, as the great outdoors is not the main trigger for this condition.

Indoor Allergens

Aside from the more common outdoor allergies, many individuals suffer from chronic rhinitis due to allergic reactions to many indoor allergens. Try as we might to filter the air coming into our homes and businesses, the air we breathe indoors is full of tiny allergens such as pet hair or dander, dust or dust mites, and mold. These substances can cause the same level of allergic response as outdoor allergens. Thus, individuals should check their home's air filters and consider getting an ionic air purifier to help with indoor allergens. In addition to indoor allergens, cleaning solutions, glues, hair spray, perfumes, laundry detergents, chlorine, and latex can also be a common trigger of chronic rhinitis or just a runny nose in general due to the chemical compounds of these items or from their scents alone.

Particulate Irritants

Many irritants such as industrial emissions, chemical scents, smog, or car exhaust can trigger rhinitis. We all might try to avoid these irritants, but the realities of modern urban living mean we all have to breathe our share of irritants now and then. If individuals find their nose runs more when they're around certain areas that can't be avoided, they may wish to try a particulate filter mask with an N95 rating. These can be purchased from any hardware store and can help filter out many of the irritants that could be causing the runny nose.

Smoking

If individuals have rhinitis and also smoke, chances are good that smoking isn't doing anything to help. In fact, smoking could be making rhinitis worse or even causing it all together. Cigarette smoke contains scores of different compounds and particulates, which can cause both allergic or nonallergic rhinitis. If individuals smoke and have rhinitis, they should consider quitting their cigarettes for at least a few days to see if their condition improves. If it does, a permanent change may be needed.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is the way our bodies are able to reset itself and keep us mentally and physically healthy. One of the easiest changes individuals can make to improve their overall health is to get more regular sleep. Sleep deprivation immensely drains the immune system and can worsen the symptoms of numerous conditions such as rhinitis, and can put an individual at risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Sleep deprivation can also weaken the immune system, making an individual more susceptible to the common cold and developing acute or chronic rhinitis. If an individual's rhinitis never seems to improve, they should take a look at their lifestyle to see if there are any small changes they can make to help their immune system improve and to also get a better, more restful night's sleep.

Weather Changes

Sudden changes in weather, the temperature, or humidity can trigger multiple membranes inside the nose to swell and result in a runny or stuffy nose. For example, skiers often develop a runny nose when they are first exposed to the cold, while others are heavily affected by any cold exposure, resulting in chronic rhinitis. Some individuals can even begin to sneeze after leaving a cold, air-conditioned room due to the complete switch over in temperature changes, as some individuals' bodies have a more difficult time adapting to different temperatures so suddenly. Changes in weather are often associated with seasonal or outdoor allergies, which is also known as allergic rhinitis and can be treated promptly with antihistamines.

Infections

Another common cause of chronic rhinitis is a viral infection, such as the common cold or the flu, resulting in a runny or drippy nose. Colds and allergies are typically the most common causes of rhinitis. Just as allergic rhinitis is triggered by allergies or weather changes, nonallergic rhinitis is caused by a viral infection, along with other irritants a patient may become exposed to. Rhinitis can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting). Acute rhinitis is generally the result of a viral infection, while chronic rhinitis usually occurs with chronic sinusitis.

Symptoms of acute viral rhinitis consist of a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, a cough, and low-grade fever; essentially the common cold. Stuffiness can be treated with decongestants such as a nasal spray, which cause the blood vessels of the nasal mucous membrane to narrow or constrict, easing symptoms for the patient. Chronic rhinitis can also be caused by inflammation or a viral infection, as it is usually an extension of acute rhinitis.

Foods & Beverages

Nonallergic and chronic rhinitis can also be caused by a variety of foods and beverages, especially when it comes to hot or spicy foods. Specifically, soup can cause an individual to have a runny nose due to its temperature, and spicy foods due to its use of peppers and other ingredients that can inflame the membranes in the nose cavity. Alcoholic beverages, especially beer and wine, may also cause trigger the membranes in the nose to swell, resulting in nasal congestion. In addition to alcohol, spicy and hot foods to avoid, individuals may want to avoid certain foods such as apples, bananas, melons, zucchini, corn, celery, preservatives and additives, almonds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. These foods all vary and depend on the type of rhinitis an individual may be experiencing, as well as what their allergies or triggers are.

Certain Medications

Some medications can also cause chronic rhinitis. These medications include acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, high blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, sedatives, and antidepressants. In addition to oral medications, if an individual overuses a decongestant nasal spray for more than four to five days, they can cause a type of chronic rhinitis to develop called rhinitis medicamentosa, particularly when they stop using it. This is precisely why doctors caution the use of nasal sprays for prolonged periods and often look for other remedies first.

Hormonal Changes

Our bodies are comprised of numerous hormones that stimulate different parts of the brain. Chronic rhinitis can occur when the body is experiencing a hormonal imbalance, such as during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. For pregnant women, it usually starts during the second month of the pregnancy and lasts until childbirth. Other hormonal conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can also trigger symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Stress can also be another cause of chronic rhinitis, as often when the body becomes stressed, the immune system weakens, allowing infections, such as a cold to develop, resulting in a persistent, runny nose.