Symptoms
Watery runny nose (rhinorrhea) occurs in association with eating. There is usually no itching, sneezing, eye involvement, or stuffy nose as in allergic rhinitis, for example, hay fever. Runny nose while eating is bothersome and a psychosocial problem.
Causes
- Stimulation of muscarinic receptors (parasympathetic nervous system).
- Post-traumatic or after surgery
- Idiopathic
- Histamine intolerance
Trigger
Related to food. In some cases, but not exclusively, hot or spicy foods.
Differential diagnosis
Other forms of rhinitis such as common cold or allergic rhinitis such as hay fever.
Nonpharmacologic treatment
If only certain foods trigger the runny nose, they can be avoided. In some cases, surgical intervention is possible.
Drug treatment
Self-medication may include antihistamine nasal sprays, such as azelastine. Azelastine has shown good efficacy in studies for the treatment of vasomotor/non-allergic rhinitis. However, it is officially approved in many countries only for allergic rhinitis. In medical treatment, anticholinergics (parasympatholytics) such as ipratropium bromide are also used in the form of nasal sprays. They are used as a preventive measure before meals or at the onset of symptoms. Antihistamines or anticholinergics can in principle also be administered internally, but this increases the risk of adverse effects.
