Vasomotor Rhinitis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Vasomotor rhinitis is a type of rhinitis. Rhinitis itself is a condition in which there is inflammation of the lining inside the nose. Generally, rhinitis is caused by the presence of irritants or allergens.
Rhinitis is generally caused by allergens. However, rhinitis is sometimes found for which the cause cannot be determined specifically. This condition is known as vasomotor rhinitis.
Other names that are also used to describe this condition are nonallergic rhinitis or idiopathic rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is not life-threatening. However, the signs and symptoms that occur can cause discomfort to those who experience them.
Vasomotor Rhinitis Symptom
Signs and symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis may subside over time. Some of the symptoms of this condition include:
- Nasal congestion
- Have a cold
- There is mucus in the throat, which is called postnasal drip
Several signs and symptoms that are quite common in allergic rhinitis, such as itching in the nose, itchy or watery eyes, and an itchy throat, are generally rarely found in vasomotor rhinitis.
Vasomotor Rhinitis Reason
Vasomotor rhinitis occurs when there is a dilation or widening of the blood vessels in the nose. Dilated blood vessels in the nose can cause swelling and blockage. In addition, you can also see mucus from the nose.
The cause of dilated blood vessels in the nose is not known with certainty. However, several precipitating factors are thought to be related to the reaction that occurs, such as:
- Irritants found in the environment, including perfumes, certain odors, smoke, or cigarette smoke
- Changes in air, especially dry air
- Viral infections, such as viral infections of the respiratory tract
- Hot or spicy food or drink
- Certain types of treatment
- Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstruation
- Hypothyroidism
- Psychological stress
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of vasomotor rhinitis can be determined from a detailed medical interview, physical examination directly by a doctor, and certain supporting examinations. The doctor will ask about the complaints you are experiencing and carry out an examination to evaluate the presence of allergies or other health conditions that are the cause of rhinitis.
Examination for allergies can be done in the form of a skin prick test or blood test to evaluate the function and capacity of the immune system. In addition, the doctor can perform examinations to evaluate health problems in the sinuses that might be causing rhinitis.
An examination can use an endoscope to see the condition of the nasal cavity or a computerized tomography (CT- scan ) examination of the sinuses. If no other cause or health condition is found as a background for rhinitis, this complaint can be suspected to be due to vasomotor rhinitis.
Vasomotor Rhinitis Treatment
There are several treatment methods that doctors can prescribe for people with vasomotor rhinitis. Treatment can depend on various factors, including the severity of the complaint, the type of complaint experienced, the frequency of recurrences, and other factors.
The treatment given can be in the form of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat inflammation and decongestant drugs to treat blockages. The type of treatment prescribed can be in the form of a drug taken by mouth (oral medication) or a drug that is sprayed through the nose ( nasal spray ).
Prevention
Prevention of vasomotor rhinitis will be difficult to implement if the precipitating factor is not known. However, if it is known that a condition can trigger complaints, it is advisable to avoid exposure to these trigger conditions.