What Are the Treatments for Vasomotor Rhinitis?
As MedlinePlus explains, vasomotor rhinitis is a condition characterized by chronic nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose. Vasomotor rhinitis is not caused by an allergy; for this reason, it is also known as nonallergic rhinitis. The cause of the condition is unknown, although symptoms are usually triggered by some sort of irritant that can vary from person to person. According to Merck, treatment of vasomotor rhinitis usually involves experimenting with different remedies, although not all patients are successful in finding a treatment regimen that works for them.
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Avoiding Triggers
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According to MedlinePlus, the primary treatment for vasomotor rhinitis is avoiding the triggers that bring on your symptoms. Triggers vary from person to person but may include things such as air pollution, dry air, alcohol, spicy foods and types of medications. Although some triggers may be difficult to avoid, staying away from your own personal triggers as much as possible may greatly reduce your symptoms.
Nasal Lavage
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According to the Mayo Clinic, daily nasal lavage is one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor rhinitis. Nasal lavage involves using a neti pot, bulb syringe or special squeeze bottle to rinse your nasal passages with water or another type of solution. Irrigating your nasal passages helps clean your nose of irritants that may cause or worsen your symptoms.
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Humidified Air
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According to Merck, humidified air can also be a helpful treatment for nonallergic rhinitis symptoms. Patients can buy a vaporizer for a particular room or may choose to install a humidified central heating system.
Oral Decongestants
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According to the Mayo Clinic, oral decongestants such as Sudafed can help reduce the nasal congestion caused by your vasomotor rhinitis by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose. Oral decongests are available over-the-counter or by prescription.
Nasal Sprays
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As the Mayo Clinic advises, a number of nasal sprays may be helpful in treating nonallergic rhinitis. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays (or a homemade saline solution) can help remove irritants and mucus and calm inflamed nasal passages. Prescription anti-drip anticholinergic nasal sprays may alleviate a runny nose. Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays are also helpful for some patients. When symptoms don't respond to the above treatments, a prescription corticosteroid nasal spray may be effective as it helps reduces inflammation in the nasal passages.
Unhelpful Treatments
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According to the Mayo Clinic, oral antihistamines are usually unsuccessful as a treatment for nonallergic rhinitis. The use of decongestant nasal sprays on a long-term basis can also be detrimental; while they may greatly help congestion in the short term, using them for more than three or four days can lead to a worsening of symptoms.
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