What Causes a Runny Nose? What is Good for Runny Nose?
A runny nose is an increase in the production or release of intranasal mucus secretion. Falling outdoor temperatures, cold, flu, and allergies are among the conditions that may result in a runny nose. Increasing fluid intake and resting are very important in eliminating this situation. At the same time, it may be possible to alleviate this complaint with various applications.
What is a Runny Nose?
A runny nose is the flow of mucus from the nostrils, also called nostril.
Mucus is a protective substance produced by cells in the nasal cavity and moisturizes the inhaled air. It also serves as a barrier against substances such as dust, pollen, and bacteria that can be inhaled from outside and cause problems by entering the lungs.
Mucus is produced in the nose every day. However, the mucus produced mixes with the saliva and is swallowed, and the person is not even aware of the mucus production. Conditions such as infection and inflammation can lead to increased mucus production. Excess mucus flows out of the nose and causes a runny nose.
What Causes a Runny Nose?
Causes of a runny nose:
Allergy
Allergies are a common cause of a runny nose. Allergenic substances such as dust, pollen and animal dander can trigger allergic reactions. Allergies: It may cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and sore throat. Inhaled allergens can irritate the nasal area and increase mucus production. In allergies such as house mite allergy, exposure to irritating substances throughout the night may cause a runny nose in the morning. On the contrary, some types of allergies cause a runny nose at night.
Cold
Flu, which is an upper respiratory tract infection, can cause inflammation in the mucous membrane in the nose, causing increased mucus production. A cold can cause nasal congestion as well as runny nose. Cough, sore throat, fatigue; It is among the symptoms of a cold.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the air cavities (sinuses) in the nasal area. This inflammation also increases mucus production in the nose. In addition to a runny nose, sinusitis can cause symptoms such as headache, nasal congestion, and pain in the facial area.
Septum Deviation
The situation in which the wall of the nasal passage changes position and becomes crooked is called septum deviation. To explain this situation more simply, when you move in through the two nostrils, the wall in the middle is curved. Septum deviation may be congenital or may occur as a result of trauma. This can lead to recurrent infections in the sinuses, inflammation in the nasal passages, and, therefore, increased mucus production. Septum deviation is among the causes of a unilateral runny nose.
Flu
Flu, which occurs as a result of influenza virus infection, can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose. In addition to a runny nose, the flu can also cause symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, chills, headache, nasal congestion, and fatigue.
Some Medicines
Some of the drugs may trigger mucus production after use. These drug groups; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, antidepressants, sedatives and some agents used in the treatment of blood pressure.
Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis, also known as vasomotor rhinitis, is a condition that can cause inflammation in the nasal area. This disease can mimic hay fever with sneezing and runny nose. Unlike hay fever, the conditions that trigger the symptoms of this disease are not allergic causes. Situations such as certain medications, temperature changes, and bright sunlight can trigger non-allergic rhinitis.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal imbalances can cause inflammation and dilation of the veins in the nose. This may cause a runny nose. Runny nose due to hormonal changes usually occurs in adolescence, in those using birth control pills, or those receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Dry Air
Dry air can dry out not only the skin but also the nasal passages. This drying disrupts the fluid balance in the nose and causes inflammation. Inflammation may trigger a runny nose.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are benign structures formed due to inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose. Inflammation of the mucous membrane can cause nasal and postnasal drip. In people with nasal polyps, complaints such as loss of smell, snoring, and headache may also be included in the disease picture.
Excessive Nasal Spray Use
Nasal sprays are used for their ability to support nasal breathing. However, excessive use of these sprays can cause a rebound effect and further increase inflammation and discharge in the nose.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the respiratory tract and causes flu-like symptoms. RSV infection causes symptoms such as a persistent runny nose, dry cough, nasal congestion, fever, sore throat, and headache.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods can cause a runny nose by overstimulating the nerves in the sinuses. The mucous membrane perceives the spice as an irritating substance and goes into protective mode. Mucus production is increased to clean the spice perceived as irritating from the nasal tract. This condition does not cause a constant runny nose; the discharge ends shortly after consuming spicy food.
Smoke
Since smoke is an irritating substance, it causes excessive mucus production in the nasal mucous membrane. This can be observed when passing through a smoky area or being around smokers.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase mucus production and cause long-term runny nose problems. This problem is encountered in approximately 20% of pregnant women. In most women, this condition disappears after birth.
What is Good for a Runny Nose?
A constant runny nose can negatively affect a person’s quality of life. In order to fully solve the runny nose problem, the main cause that increases mucus production must be corrected.
In the process until definitive treatment, the complaint of runny nose can be alleviated with some applications.
- ‘How to stop a persistent runny nose?’ Applications that may answer the question are as follows: Tea: Hot teas can help open the nasal passages thanks to the heat and moisture they have. Unless stated otherwise by your physician, consuming herbal teas such as chamomile, nettle or ginger may help relieve symptoms.
- Facial Steam Bath: A steam bath applied to the face with hot water contributes to relieving the complaint of excessive runny nose. To make a steam bath, water is heated in a container and evaporated. Breathe in and out by bringing your face close to the evaporating water. This procedure, which will be done for 20-30 minutes, is good for a runny nose. Optionally, a few drops of oils such as sage, mint, rosemary, pine, and bay laurel oil, which have nasal soothing properties, can be added to the water.
How to Cure a Runny Nose?
Treatment of a runny nose is done according to the underlying cause.
The treatment for a cold and flu is to drink plenty of fluids and get good rest. Since these diseases occur as a result of viral infection, antibiotics are useless in treatment. If the patient has a headache or sore throat, painkillers can be used in the treatment.
For an allergic runny nose, the patient may be given antihistamine medications.
Antihistamines can also be used in the treatment of septal deviation. If the patient has seriously disturbing symptoms such as a severe runny nose, the deviation can be corrected with surgical intervention.
There are different solutions for a runny nose caused by dry air. If the air in the house is dry, air humidifiers (steam machines) can be used. If the runny nose is caused by the dry air outside, you can wear a shawl or scarf when going out.
How to Treat a Runny Nose in Babies?
The causes of a runny nose in babies are similar to those in adults. The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: it might have been. Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity.
Suggestions that may help stop a runny nose:
- Increasing the baby’s fluid intake
- Gently elevate the baby’s head using a pillow
- It involves sucking the excess mucus from the baby’s nose with a nasal aspirator.
In babies, wound formation under the nose may occur due to constant nasal discharge. To prevent this situation, a thin layer of Vaseline can be applied to this area.
A runny nose occurs due to different reasons. If there are symptoms such as cough, sneezing, headache, and muscle pain accompanying a runny nose, it would be useful to contact a health center and have the necessary checks done.
