utorak, 8. siječnja 2013.

About Allergies: Why You Get a Runny Nose In Cold Weather

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From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies
Most of us have had the experience -- walking outside on a cold, winter day, and your nose turns into a faucet. You're not sick, and your nose wasn't running when you were indoors. But the cold (or windy) weather does it every time -- you need Kleenex around just so your nose doesn't drip all over your face and clothes. What's the deal? It's not an allergy, but a non-allergic phenomenon known as vasomotor rhinitis. Most allergy medicines won't help these symptoms -- but if symptoms are severe, or you're planning on spending lots of time outdoors in cold weather -- there is a prescription nasal spray called ipratropium bromide that can dry up that drip.Most of us have had the experience -- walking outside on a cold, winter day, and your nose turns into a faucet. You're not sick, and your nose wasn't running when you were indoors. But the cold (or windy) weather does it every time -- you need Kleenex around just so your nose doesn't drip all over your face and clothes. What's the deal? It's not an allergy, but a non-allergic phenomenon known as vasomotor rhinitis. Most allergy medicines won't help these symptoms -- but if symptoms are severe, or you're planning on spending lots of time outdoors in cold weather -- there is a prescription nasal spray called ipratropium bromide that can dry up that drip.

Runny Noses in Cold Weather
As the weather starts to turn cold and crisp around the country, people are packing their pockets with tissues to combat their runny noses. With outdoor time of year, noses tend to run, and run, and run. But this usually isn't due to allergies -- but caused by a form of non-allergic rhinitis called vasomotor rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis may result in a runny nose, post-nasal drip and/or nasal congestion. It is caused by a number of triggers, including temperature changes, changes in weather and humidity, as well as strong odors, perfumes and smoke. Since vasomotor rhinitis doesn't get better with antihistamines, people with this syndrome tend to suffer. There are prescription medications available to treat vasomotor rhinitis -- nasal steroids, Astelin (a nasal antihistamine) and Atrovent Nasal (a nasal anti-cholinergic) can be of tremendous benefit.

Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis is a medical condition of unknown cause, leading to symptoms very similar to allergic rhinitis, or hay-fever. Approximately half of people suffering from allergies also have a non-allergic component to their symptoms. Unlike allergies, which can be a seasonal problem, symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are typically year-round. Non-allergic rhinitis also tends to be more common as people age, whereas allergic rhinitis tends to affect children and young adults.

Symptom-Based Approach to Treatment of Allergies
For the person with nasal allergy symptoms, the choices of available medicines can be daunting. From pills to nasal sprays, it can be quite difficult to decide which medication is best for your symptoms. While there is no one-size-fits-all allergy medicine, there may be better choices based on the kind of symptoms you're experiencing.



 


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Daniel More, MD
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