Vasomotor Rhinitis
You are suffering from a disease called vasomotor rhinitis. This is an illness of unknown cause. It is often confused with allergic rhinitis, a disease of similar symptoms produced by allergies. It is also often called "sinus" or "sinus trouble" although the problem is one of the lining of the nose rather than the sinuses.
Patients with vasomotor rhinitis often seek help from allergists because the symptoms are similar to those of allergic disease. However since allergies are not involved, allergy therapy will not help vasomotor rhinitis. Unfortunately, because the cause of the disease is unknown, there is no cure and no definitive therapy. The disease is usually lifelong, exhibiting periods of remission and exacerbation during the years.
Although there is no cure for the illness, there are some things that we can do to alleviate the symptoms.
1. We know that changes in temperature, humidity, strong odors and fumes, exposures to draft, aerosols, tobacco smoke, perfumes, changes in body position, and emotional upset aggravates the illness. For these reasons, efforts to avoid these factors are indicated.
2. Antihistamines and decongestants will often be of some benefit. These will not offer dramatic relief but will aid in the long term management of the disease.
3. Occasionally the disease becomes so severe as to interfere with the patient's lifestyle, interrupting their sleep and making it difficult to do their work. In these instances, various forms of cortisone may be employed for very brief periods. Cortisone is an extremely potent drug with many side effects. It can therefore only be used for very brief periods of time in patients with nasal symptoms. Cortisone pills and/or nasal sprays may be used twice and perhaps three times a year to periodically alleviate symptoms.
4. If the above noted measures are not successful in providing you a reasonable amount of control, then there are certain surgical procedures that can be performed. These procedures are done only as the "last resort." It is good to know however that certain surgical procedures can be of help in selected cases who have not responded to the medical therapy outlined above.
Vasomotor Rhinitis
You are suffering from a disease called vasomotor rhinitis. This is an illness of unknown cause. It is often confused with allergic rhinitis, a disease of similar symptoms produced by allergies. It is also often called "sinus" or "sinus trouble" although the problem is one of the lining of the nose rather than the sinuses.
Patients with vasomotor rhinitis often seek help from allergists because the symptoms are similar to those of allergic disease. However since allergies are not involved, allergy therapy will not help vasomotor rhinitis. Unfortunately, because the cause of the disease is unknown, there is no cure and no definitive therapy. The disease is usually lifelong, exhibiting periods of remission and exacerbation during the years.
Although there is no cure for the illness, there are some things that we can do to alleviate the symptoms.
1. We know that changes in temperature, humidity, strong odors and fumes, exposures to draft, aerosols, tobacco smoke, perfumes, changes in body position, and emotional upset aggravates the illness. For these reasons, efforts to avoid these factors are indicated.
2. Antihistamines and decongestants will often be of some benefit. These will not offer dramatic relief but will aid in the long term management of the disease.
3. Occasionally the disease becomes so severe as to interfere with the patient's lifestyle, interrupting their sleep and making it difficult to do their work. In these instances, various forms of cortisone may be employed for very brief periods. Cortisone is an extremely potent drug with many side effects. It can therefore only be used for very brief periods of time in patients with nasal symptoms. Cortisone pills and/or nasal sprays may be used twice and perhaps three times a year to periodically alleviate symptoms.
4. If the above noted measures are not successful in providing you a reasonable amount of control, then there are certain surgical procedures that can be performed. These procedures are done only as the "last resort." It is good to know however that certain surgical procedures can be of help in selected cases who have not responded to the medical therapy outlined above.
Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians of North MS PA