What could your runny nose mean

A runny nose is the draining of excess mucus through the nose due to either a cold, flu, or sinusitis. You may experience a runny nose in cold weather and when eating spicy food. Hay fever also causes a runny nose. The mucosa is a membrane that lines your nasal cavity and produces mucus.

Mucus acts as a barrier in your nasal cavity and is released to humidify the air you breathe in and rid the air of bacteria, viruses and allergens. The membranes are reactive, and mucus production rates may vary for different reasons.

Runny Nose Causes & Symptoms

An important function of your nose is to regulate the temperature of the air we breathe and secrete mucus. Mucus contains antibodies that kill bacteria in the air. Mucus also protects the blood vessels within the membranes. A runny nose or nasal congestion is a reaction to irritation and aggravation around and in the nasal cavity. Known nasal irritants and infections include:

Common Cold & Flu

Flu and the common cold both attack the respiratory tract. A cold usually stays in the nasal cavity while flu enters deep into your lungs and can cause complications. Within three days of infection, symptoms like headaches, a runny nose, a cough, body aches and tiredness begin. There are a few home remedies known to alleviate these symptoms in the beginning stages of a cold or flu, some are:

Ensure you are well-rested.
Increase fluid intake and stay hydrated (water, soups, warm drinks)
Avoid any dehydrating drinks.
Moisten air with a humidifier.

Sinusitis

The sinuses are the air cavities in your skull lined by nasal tissue. Viral and bacterial infection can cause the nasal passage to become inflamed, closing the mucus drain pathways. This leads to mucus build-up in the sinuses due to impaired sinus drainage. Symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion – a stuffy nose and inability to breathe, headaches, post-nasal drip, and pain/pressure around your sinuses. Symptoms may worsen when lying down and in dry and cold environments. Easing the pain of these symptoms can include:

Flushing out your sinuses with a saline rinse.
Steaming your face which helps decrease sinus pressure and congestion.
Use warm and cold compresses.
Use a humidifier to moisten the nasal cavity.

Allergens

Hay fever is a common allergy reaction to pollen, mould, and other plant particles. It occurs seasonally and worsens during the springtime. These allergens aggravate the sinuses, nose, and throat and symptoms include violent sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Excessive mucus is secreted by your immune system to physically expel these allergens from your nasal passage and respiratory tract. It is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist for allergy treatment because situations differ with multiple allergies.

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Cold Temperatures

Cold air is often very dry when it enters your nose. Your mucus membrane secretes mucus to add moisture to the air and to regulate the air to body temperature. This process happens repeatedly and can be seen as the persistent runny nose and sniffling when it is cold. To stop your runny nose you can cover your mouth in cold temperatures and dress warmly.

Covid-19

Although a runny nose is a symptom of a cold and flu, it is not a common symptom of Covid-19 but it can occur. Covid-19 symptoms display varying conditions between body aches, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, a persistent cough, tiredness, fever and chills. If you show any sign of these symptoms speak to your doctor immediately and avoid physical contact.

Treatment For A Runny Nose

If you have a constant runny nose and any other symptoms listed above for more than ten days, it is advised that you visit your doctor for accurate diagnosis, proper medical attention and prescription medication.

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