Runny Nose

Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea)

A runny nose, also called rhinorrhea, involves excess drainage, ranging from a clear fluid to thick mucus, from the nose and nasal passages.

Causes

1. Allergies
2. Common cold
3. Sinusitis
4. Deviated septum
5. Flu
6. Medications
7. Nonallergic rhinitis
8. Hormonal changes
9. Dry air
10. Nasal polyps
11. Nasal spray overuse
12. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
13. Spicy foods
14. Smoke
15. Pregnancy

Allergy

Allergens like dust and pollen cause symptoms such as sneezing, a headache, or a sore throat. These inhaled particles can also irritate the nasal passage, resulting in excess mucus and a runny nose.

Common Cold

The common cold, or an upper respiratory infection, causes inflammation in the mucous membrane lining of the nose, resulting in too much mucus.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis (sinus infection) is a complication of the common cold. It occurs when the cavities around your nasal passage become inflamed. This inflammation also triggers an increase in mucus production in the nose.

Deviated Nasal Septum

A deviated septum can lead to repeated sinus infections and inflammation around the nasal passage, causing a runny nose.

Flu

The flu virus also causes inflammation in the mucous membrane of the nose.

Medications

Even though medication is available to help relieve excess mucus production, a few may trigger a runny nose in some people. Medications like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen
• Sedatives
• Antidepressants
• Medications for high blood pressure

Nonallergic Rhinitis

Nonallergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis) is also characterized by inflammation in the nasal passage and mimics hay fever (runny nose and sneezing).

Hormonal Changes

A hormonal imbalance can also cause inflammation and enlargement of the nasal blood vessels, resulting in nonallergic rhinitis. This can happen during puberty and if you take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Dry Air

Dry air doesn’t only dry out the skin; it can also dry out your nasal passage. This disrupts the fluid balance inside of your nose, causing an inflammatory response and triggering a runny nose.

Nasal Polyps

These benign growths on the lining inside the nose are due to an inflamed mucous membrane. When the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, excess mucus production brings on a runny nose and postnasal drip.

Nasal Spray Overuse

Using a nasal spray in the long term can lead to chronic sinus infections, which can trigger a runny nose.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

This is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms and infections in the lungs and respiratory tract. It can occur in children and adults. An infection in the respiratory tract can lead to inflammation in the nasal passage and a runny nose.

Spicy Food

Spicy foods can also cause a runny nose due to a form of nonallergic rhinitis known as gustatory rhinitis. This isn’t caused by histamine or an allergen but rather overstimulation of nerves in the sinuses when you eat or inhale something spicy.

Smoke

Smoke is an irritant that can also trigger the mucous membrane to produce extra mucus.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to excess mucus and trigger a runny nose.

Treatment

According to Ayurveda, a runny nose can be correlated with pratisyayam. It occurs due to Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and Tridosha (imbalance of all three doshas). Symptoms differ according to the dosha. For example, in Vataja Pratisyaya, the nature of the fluid is watery. Medicine selection is according to the dosha.

• Mukhabhyangam (facial massage): Can be done with Pancha Lavana Ghrita, Dashamoola Ghrita, etc., according to the dosha. Mukhabhyangam provides snehana (oleation) to the area and is done as a pre-procedure for Nasya.
• Swedana (sudation): Nadi Swedam, etc.
• Nasyam (nasal instillation): Done with Anu Taila, Shadbindu Taila. It helps the expulsion of vitiated dosha from the nose.
• Dhoomapanam (inhalation of medicated smoke): Haridra Varti (turmeric wick)
• Kavalagraha (gargling): Done with Triphala Kashayam, etc.