OT (Kinda): Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Some excerpts from Mayo Clinic:
... Some medications can cause nonallergic rhinitis. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), and high blood pressure (hypertension) medications, such as beta blockers. Nonallergic rhinitis can also be triggered in some people by sedatives, antidepressants, oral contraceptives or drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays can cause a type of nonallergic rhinitis called rhinitis medicamentosa. ...

... Signs and symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis may include:
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Mucus (phlegm) in the throat (postnasal drip)

Nonallergic rhinitis doesn't usually cause itchy nose, eyes or throat ­ symptoms associated with allergies such as hay fever. ...

... Factors that may increase your risk of nonallergic rhinitis include:
Exposure to irritants. If you're exposed to smog, exhaust fumes or tobacco smoke ­ to name a few ­ you may be at increased risk of developing nonallergic rhinitis.
Being older than age 20. Unlike allergic rhinitis, which usually occurs before age 20, and often in childhood, nonallergic rhinitis occurs after age 20 in most people who get it.
Prolonged use of decongestant nasal drops or sprays. Using over-the-counter decongestant nasal drops or sprays (Afrin, Dristan, others) for more than a few days can actually cause more severe nasal congestion when the decongestant wears off, often called rebound congestion.
Being female. Due to hormonal changes, nasal congestion often gets worse during menstruation and pregnancy.
Occupational exposure to fumes. In some cases nonallergic rhinitis is triggered by exposure to an airborne irritant in the workplace (occupational rhinitis). Some common triggers include aircraft fuel or jet exhaust, solvents, or other chemicals and fumes from decomposing organic material such as compost.
Having certain health problems. A number of chronic health conditions can cause or worsen rhinitis, such as lupus, cystic fibrosis and hormonal disorders. And asthma is more common in people with allergic rhinitis ...

... Complications from nonallergic rhinitis include:
Nasal polyps. These are soft, noncancerous (benign) growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses due to chronic inflammation. Small polyps may not cause problems, but larger ones can block the airflow through your nose, making it difficult to breathe.
Chronic sinusitis. Prolonged nasal congestion due to nonallergic rhinitis may increase your chances of developing sinusitis ­ an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses. When sinusitis lasts for longer than 12 consecutive weeks, it's referred to as chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis causes pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.
Middle ear infections. Increased fluid and nasal congestion may lead to middle ear infections.
Interrupted daily activities. Nonallergic rhinitis can be disruptive. You may be less productive at work or school, and you may need to take time off because of symptom flares or doctor visits ...

... Treatment of nonallergic rhinitis depends on how much it bothers you. For mild cases, home treatment and avoiding triggers may be enough. For more bothersome symptoms, certain medications may provide relief, including:
Saline nasal sprays. Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or homemade saltwater solution to flush the nose of irritants and help thin the mucus and soothe the membranes in your nose.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays. If your symptoms aren't easily controlled by decongestants or antihistamines, your doctor may suggest a prescription corticosteroid nasal spray, such as fluticasone (Flonase) or mometasone (Nasonex). Corticosteroid medications help prevent and treat inflammation associated with some types of nonallergic rhinitis. Possible side effects include indigestion, nausea, headache and bodily pains.
Antihistamine nasal sprays. Try a prescription antihistamine spray such as azelastine (Astelin) and olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanase). While oral antihistamines don't seem to help nonallergic rhinitis, antihistamine in the form of a nasal spray may reduce symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis. Side effects may include a bitter taste in your mouth, headache and fatigue.
Anti-drip anticholinergic nasal sprays. The prescription drug ipratropium (Atrovent) is often used as an asthma inhaler medication. But it's now available as a nasal spray and can be helpful if a runny, drippy nose is your main symptom. Side effects may include a bitter taste in your mouth and drying of the inside of your nose.
Oral decongestants. Available over-the-counter or by prescription, examples include pseudoephedrine-containing drugs (Actifed, Sudafed, others) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others). These medications help narrow the blood vessels, reducing congestion in the nose. Possible side effects include high blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, heart pounding (palpitations), anxiety and restlessness.
Decongestant nasal sprays. These include oxymetazoline (Afrin, others). Don't use these medications for more than three or four days, as they can cause congestion to come back with even worse symptoms when you stop using them. Other possible side effects include headache, insomnia and feeling nervous.

Over-the-counter oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), clemastine (Tavist) and loratadine (Claritin), typically don't work nearly as well for nonallergic rhinitis as they do for allergic rhinitis. ...

... Some studies have shown repeated applications to the inside of the nose of capsaicin, the ingredient responsible for the heat in hot peppers, to be effective. But the use of capsaicin to treat nonallergic rhinitis hasn't been approved. ...

Thank You Slinky, that was informative.
pretty sure my rhinitis is genetic-- whole fathers side.
Have to deal with on a daily basis .i can lean over to tie my shoes and the drip starts. Low pressure systems don't help either. have learned over the years how to control symptoms so as not to let them escalate into something worse like strep, sinus infection or chronic bronchitis . you mentioned lupus which is akin to RA another auto immune complaint which i have & are commonly treated similar.
peace out girl
tim

My snozz has been dripping like a water faucet on and off for a couple of years now. All of a sudden this summer it has graduated to actually causing some breathing problems at times. No sinus problems, just the nasal passages feeling swollen and inflamed, some times sores near the tip from the drip, drip and the wiping .... since I knew it wasn't sinusitis I just went searching for what it was.

never let mine drip .day time antihistamines ,saline & flunisolide nasal spray , benedryl at bedtime & afrin only as last resort & only when needed. only use the symbicort or albuteral inhalers when symptoms persist to keep the weez under control.
never even knew about nasal cycling until this year on this site.

I think my situation is aggravated by the need for a nasal cannula and 2L of 02 most of 24 hours a day. Antihistamines put me right to sleep. *sigh* Wheezing hasn't been a problem. knock, Knock, KNOCK. I only recently realized that often my SOB is BECAUSE I start mouth breathing rather than nose breathing and thus NOT getting the 02 from the concentrator. Duh. Or at least not the full 2L that I need.

I'm not familiar w/flunisolide nasal spray. I'll have to look it up. I just started using Astelin nasal spray in addition to or in place of saline nasal spray. Family doctor suggested Nasonex and pulmonologist suggested Dulera, both have a steroid which I don't want to have to take unless absolutely necessary.

Ahh Slinky, my heartfelt sympathy you've joined the ranks of those of us with chronic nasal-sinus issues. T'aint no fun figuring what provides the best relief without resorting to the magic fix of Afrin with its horrible after effects.

Thanks, Muse. Its a tuff life but some of us have gotta live it, eh? *sigh*