Is There A Surgery for Nonallergic Rhinitis?

Non-allergic rhinitis, also known as vasomotor rhinitis or idiopathic rhinitis is not caused by an infection or an allergic reaction, but by an external agent that irritates the nose, such as pollution, tobacco smoke, certain odors, temperature changes, and stress. When this happens, the small blood vessels in the nose dilate and the nasal passage becomes swollen, resulting in increased mucous secretion and difficulty in breathing through the nasal passages.

The treatment of non-allergic rhinitis is based primarily on the early identification of predisposing factors and symptoms. Once the triggers of the disease or possible allergens have been identified, the key is to take the necessary precautions.

You have to avoid these triggers in daily life to stay away from the symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis.

Whether surgery will help cure nonallergic rhinitis depends on the cause of the disease. If you are suffering from nonallergic rhinitis due to nasal congestion that results from bends or curved shape of your nasal passage, then surgery may be a possible treatment option. In some situations, surgery can be effective in removing nasal polyps or fixing the deviation in septum to control nonallergenic rhinitis.

However, surgery is only considered when other treatment options fail to offer significant relief from nonallergic rhinitis. Medications are often enough to address these conditions, although in serious or long-term problems surgery is sometimes required. In marked polypoid rhinosinusitis, surgery is performed when indicated.

The most common subtype of nonallergic rhinitis is the vasomotor rhinitis. While medicinal management is the initial line of therapy, surgical procedure is necessary if medicines do not relieve symptoms. Surgical alternatives for nonallergic rhinitis include botulinum toxin injection and inferior turbinate reduction. Another option is the use of more targeted action on the autonomous nerve supply that targets the nasal cavity. This is done by posterior nerve cryoablation, posterior nasal neurectomy, and vidian neurectomy.

It is advisable to take daily steps to help prevent this type of rhinitis such as:

• Avoid exposure to substances that can trigger symptoms, such as tobacco smoke, dust, etc.
• Avoid being in sudden temperature changes
• Avoid eating spicy foods
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Do not abuse nasal decongestants

The use of intranasal steroids with pronounced anti-inflammatory action can be helpful. Sometimes leukotriene receptor blockers are prescribed, but the effectiveness of these drugs is low.

The actions of antihistamines are not pronounced; rather desensitization may be used in the treatment of patients with established intolerance of acetylsalicylic acid. ^{(4) (5)}

It is always better to start the treatment process early if you having any form of rhinitis. Prevention of rhinitis is essential for better management of the disease. Try to be in a clean environment with fresh air and low pollution level to avoid triggering the issue. Consult your physician when the problem is a recurring one and troubling you for a long time.

There is a strong relationship between non-allergic rhinitis with some predisposing factors or triggers, although they are not shared by all patients. In many cases, there is an association of these triggers with the disease. They are:

• Recurrent colds
• Air pollution
• Having very spicy foods
• Alcohol consumption
• Presence of irritants in the environmental
• Use of certain drugs
• Presence of strong emotions that may cause shock to the patient ⁽¹⁾

The symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are considered benign. Although they do not endanger life, they can be very bothersome and impair the quality of your daily life. It may affect daily activities and even compromising sleep.

The most common symptoms are:

• Nasal congestion with swelling of the mucosa
• Progressive nasal discharge
• Runny nose that can disrupt sleep and cause coughing
• Wheezing
• Repetitive sneezing ⁽²⁾

Your doctor may ask questions about your personal and family history of vasomotor rhinitis and the misuse of nasal sprays or non-prescription pills. There are skin allergy tests that will help clarify the diagnosis. ⁽³⁾

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Also Read:

• Is Nonallergic Rhinitis A Disability & Can You Die From It?
• What Leads To Nonallergic Rhinitis & Can It Be Cured?
• What Is The Best Treatment For Nonallergic Rhinitis?