Vasomotor Rhinitis

Excerpt

Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) describes a syndrome of chronic symptoms of nasal congestion and rhinorrhea, unrelated to a specific allergen. Nonallergic rhinitis can subdivide into numerous different subtypes with vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) being the most common type. Vasomotor rhinitis is a term often used to describe rhinitis symptoms associated with nonallergic, noninfectious triggers with no clear etiology after the conclusion of an exhaustive search for a diagnosis. The pathophysiology of nonallergic rhinitis is complex, with still much to be discovered. It is partly due to an imbalance between parasympathetic and sympathetic inputs on the nasal mucosa. The most critical factor in attaining a proper diagnosis of vasomotor rhinitis is a comprehensive history and physical. The best overall treatment is the avoidance of the known trigger with medical therapy as an adjunct. When all other options fail, surgical intervention becomes a viable therapy.