Waking up with a runny nose is not the best way to stay off your day. Your head seems heavy and your sinuses are completely swollen. What is more, you must keep a tissue with you at all times to prevent the mucus from running down your face. It is essential to figure out what is causing the leak because different causes have different treatments. A runny nose can be the symptom of many conditions. It is inconvenient and disruptive to your daily life, so you should better get to the bottom of things. In this article, we are going to discuss the most common causes of a runny nose. Once you have determined the cause, you will be able to treat your runny nose with self-care.
Infection
If you have a runny, stuffy nose, you may have an infection. More often than not, rhinorrhea is caused by an infection such as the common cold, flu, or a sinus infection. The body is invaded by disease-causing agents that cause inflammation in the mucus membrane lining of the nose. The discharge starts clear but eventually turns thick yellow or green. The excess mucus has to go somewhere and if it is not eliminated through the nasal cavity, it will go down your throat. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that the infection is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat.
Rhinorrhea can get better on its own without treatment, yet if you are bothered by the recurring symptoms, you can try oral decongestants. These medicines reduce nasal congestion, in spite of the fact that they cause side effects such as palpitations and loss of appetite. Antibiotics are necessary to treat the cold. They do not relieve symptoms of the flu, so you will have to take antivirals which reduce the ability of the virus to multiply. Antibiotics will not make a difference. It is the same for sinus infections.
Allergies
Both indoor and outdoor allergies can cause a runny nose. The most common allergens are dust, pollen, and pet dander. What happens is that the inhaled particles irritate the nasal passage, the outcome being excess mucus and, of course, a runny nose. If you have allergies, you will not be able to stop sneezing and the nasal congestion lasts all day long. It is difficult if not impossible to avoid the triggers, but you can reduce your exposure to them. Go outside after it has rained because the rain helps clear the pollen from the air. Most importantly, remove the clothes that you have worn outside and take a long shower.
To cope with the allergy, take antihistamines, which come in the form of tablets and nasal sprays. You will want non-drowsy antihistamines to help you get through the day. They are recommended for safety and effectiveness. In case you were curious about natural alternatives, vitamin C, probiotics, and spirulina do a great job when it comes to managing allergies. There is no reason to stuff yourself with over-the-counter medication. Carefully read the label before purchasing anything. You do not want to make things worse.
Dry air
A runny nose is not an unusual occurrence in cold weather. The dry air dries out the nasal passage, which in turn becomes irritated and triggers a runny nose. In this situation, the best way to prevent a runny nose is to stay inside. Make sure your home is warm and comfortable. Seal the house so that the cold, dry air does not pay you an unfortunate visit. Consider using a dehumidifier. It will add moisture to the dry air keeping your nose lubricated. Needless to say, there are plenty of other remedies for runny nose that you can try. Take your time and see what works and what does not.
Deviated septum
If the thin wall between the nasal passages is displaced to one side or the other, you have a deviated septum. In some people, it does not cause any kind of problem. With others, it is a completely different story. They experience difficulty breathing through the nose, sleep issues, headaches, and nasal congestion. The point is that your runny nose may indicate an underlying condition. It is hard to tell the difference between a deviated septum and allergies because there are so many similarities. You should schedule a consultation with your treating physician.
Surgery can be used to correct the deviated septum, yet this measure is a little bit extreme and it is only recommended if other treatment options have failed. Nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines can be used to alleviate discomfort and live a normal life. The therapy is aimed at managing the symptoms, meaning that the medications treat the swollen mucus membranes. You can help prevent a deviated septum by staying away from injury. Use personal protective equipment if you practice sports and wear a seat belt whenever you drive.
Medication
So, you do not know what to do anymore to relieve your runny nose. Surprising as it may seem, certain medications can cause rhinorrhea. Examples include but are not limited to ibuprofen, aspirin, and high blood pressure medication. All of them are related to changes in the body. Needless to say, side effects vary widely, so if you do take any of the aforementioned medications, you may not develop rhinorrhea. Do not stop taking the medicines even if you do not feel too well. If your stuffy nose clears up, that means the medications are to blame and you need to talk to your doctor.
All medications utilized for treating a certain health condition have side effects, which vary according to age, weight, sex, and so on. Once you get a good understanding of the possible side effects of the therapy you are undergoing, schedule an appointment with your treating physician and let them know what is going on. If the medicines negatively interfere with your quality of life, the doctor will recommend to stop taking them.