Rhinorrhea

Rhinorrhea – General Information

Rhinorrhea is commonly known as a runny nose is an unusual and significant quantity of nasal discharge. This medical condition is one of the most common symptoms of a common cold and allergies such as the hay fever. Rhinorrhea may also be the sign of a withdrawal such as an opioids withdrawal. This medical condition is frequently encountered and is not a life threatening one. The nasal discharge can be colored or thick as a result of a medical condition called sinusitis. This medical condition may also be accompanied by a post nasal drip which can aggravate the coughing or can lead to a sore throat. Other side effects of this medical condition can be ear infections, sinusitis, especially if there is an increased quantity of mucus which blocks the Eustachian tube or even the sinus passages.

This disease can appear as a result of an allergic condition or if there are any foreign materials in the nostril. The bacterial and viral infections and also sinusitis may lead to a runny nose. The abnormal nasal discharge may also appear in the vasomotor rhinitis which is a non-infectious and non-allergenic medical condition. Another problem which can lead to this symptom can be represented by the head injuries and by a basilar skull fracture which leads to a cerebrospinal fluid Rhinorrhea. Other causes are the environmental ones which include the contact with strong smelling substances (like disulfide compounds, CS gas). The CS gas produces the same effect as crying over the nose.

Rhinorrhea – Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Rhinorrhea) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed (mentioned) here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Rhinorrhea or from any other medical disorder. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that a person who suffers from Rhinorrhea, may experience, although each individual experiences them differently.

The first sign or this medical condition is the crystal clear fluid which runs out of the patient’s nose when his head is held in a dependent position. Sometimes this nasal fluid can be copious, although the nasal fluid does not contain glucose. The patients may experience headaches which usually appear when the cerebrospinal fluid drains out. If sufficient air enters the skull it distorts the brain producing pneumocephalus. If bacteria enter the brain it leads to meningitis and the patients may develop in this case severe headaches and sever runny nose, fever and stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. If a person experiences any of the symptom listed (mentioned) above it is recommended to see his doctor or personal health care provider as soon as possible in order for the medical condition which produces them not to aggravate and also in order for the doctor to establish a diagnostic and to recommend a proper treatment.

Rhinorrhea – Treatment

The thinner nasal discharge is good as it reduces the risk of sinus and ear infections. The medicinal treatment includes antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine) which help to reduce the quantity of nasal discharge and the saline nasal sprays. Also the vasoconstrictor nasal sprays can be used but only for a limited time because their use can result into a counterproductive one after a few days and it can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa. In the majority of the cases in order to get rid of the Rhinorrhea the doctor or personal health care provider recommend the treatment of the underlying conditions which lead in the first place to the appearance of this disorder. The symptomatic relief of the congestion may be achieved with the topical and oral decongestants (such as phenylphrine or pseudoephedrine). The prolonged use of these medicines should be avoided. The viral Rhinorrhea can be treated with the oral antihistamines as they have anticholinergic properties which are not related to their histamine blocking properties. The nasal corticosteroids can also be helpful in the patients who are suffering from Rhinorrhea.

Here is a list of the most common drugs which are usually recommended in the patients who are suffering from this disorder by their doctor or personal health care provider. Congestant – it is useful in relieving the pain and the symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, upper respiratory infections and allergies. This medicine may also be used in other conditions (apart from Rhinorrhea) as established by the patient’s doctor or personal health care provider. This is an antihistamine and analgesic combination. The chloroheniramine contained by this drug help by blocking the action of the histamine which leads to the relief of the symptoms. The acetaminophen contained in this drug is used by certain areas of the brain and the nervous system in order to calm down the pain. Coricidine – also known as acetaminophen is a pain reliever and also it is helpful in reducing the fever.

The chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine which blocks the effects of the histamine in the body and prevents sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and nose. Coricidine is used in treating the runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and pain fever, which are caused by allergies, flues and the common colds. This drug may also be used for other purposes then those listed above, as determined by the doctor or personal health care provider. Patients should not take this drug if they are allergic to acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine or antihistamines and before using it they should inform their doctor if they are allergic to any drugs and also if they have liver and kidney diseases, glaucoma, enlarged prostate or urination problems. Coricidine HBP Cold/ Flu - also known as acetaminophen is a pain reliever and it is also helpful in reducing the fever caused by Rhinorrhea. The cholrpheniramine is an antihistamine which blocks the effects of the histamine in the body and prevents sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and nose. Coricidine is used in treating the runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and pain fever which are caused by allergies, flues and the common colds. This drug may also be used for other purposes then those listed above, as determined by the doctor or personal health care provider.