Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining in your nose characterized by a runny or itchy nose, sneezing and congestion. Some people develop this condition as a result of allergies, while others develop it for non-allergy-related reasons that include the effects of exercise. To diagnose exercise-related rhinitis or other non-allergic causes, your doctor must first eliminate allergies as a possible source of your condition.
Rhinitis Basics
People with allergic rhinitis have immune system responses to pollen and other substances in their local environments collectively known as allergens. When your immune system senses the presence of an allergen, it produces specialized proteins called antibodies. In turn, these antibodies move to certain cells in your body and promote the release of chemicals that trigger classic rhinitis symptoms. People with exercise-induced rhinitis don't have immune system reactions; instead, their symptoms stem from changes in the body brought about by exercise itself.
Causes
Scientists don't know precisely what causes exercise-induced rhinitis. One current theory links the condition to the evaporation of water in your airways during exercise. This evaporation can trigger changes in your lower airways that constrict your lung passages, increase your mucus output and increase fluid loss in your blood vessels. Exercise can also reduce your nose's resistance to environmental irritants and cause unusual blood vessel constriction, or tightening. The same body changes that may provoke exercise-induced rhinitis are known causes of exercise-induced asthma and bronchitis.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can use a physical examination, your medical history and skin testing for specific allergens to detect the presence of allergic rhinitis. To detect the presence of exercise-induced rhinitis, he can use your medical history, test your reactions to exercise, measure your mucus flow and check for nasal passage obstruction. While these procedures may work, there are no standard methods for diagnosing exercise-induced rhinitis, and testing for the disorder has not been thoroughly validated by repeatable, practical results.
Treatment and Considerations
Competitive athletes have the highest risks for the development of exercise-induced rhinitis, according to a study reported in the August 2008 issue of "Allergy." Specific at-risk groups include runners, figure skaters, divers and swimmers. You can potentially relieve the effects of any type of non-allergic rhinitis with corticosteroid nasal sprays or decongestant pills. However, decongestant sprays can actually trigger non-allergic rhinitis symptoms. Physical conditions that can potentially mimic the effects of rhinitis include nasal tumors, a deviated septum and immune system disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome and sarcoidosis. Ask your doctor for more detailed information.
References
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology; Tips to Remember: Rhinitis; 2010
- "American Family Physician"; Diagnosing Rhinitis: Allergic vs. Nonallergic; David M. Quillen, M.D., et al.; May 1, 2006
- "Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"; Exercise-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndromes in Recreational and Competitive Athletes...; Schwartz, Delgado, et al.; August 2008
