Do you get a runny nose when you eat spicy food? It could be Gustatory Rhinitis!

Do you get a runny nose when you eat spicy food? It could be Gustatory Rhinitis!
Imagine that you are eating rice with a spicy chili sauce, or a roti with a spicy chili sauce. As you enjoy the food, a watery liquid suddenly starts coming out of your nose, and you may even start sneezing. Many people think that this is some kind of allergy. But that is not always the case. In medicine, this condition of nasal discharge and sneezing after eating spicy or hot food is called Gustatory Rhinitis . Today, we will talk about this in simple terms.

What are the symptoms of Gustatory Rhinitis?

These symptoms may occur after you eat something spicy or hot. They are a bit annoying, but not dangerous.
  • A watery discharge from the nose: This is the main and most common symptom.
  • Nasal congestion : A feeling of swelling inside the nose.
  • Postnasal drip: A feeling of mucus stuck in the back of the throat .
  • Hiccups : Some people may also experience hiccups.
The most important thing is that this is not an allergy . That is, the symptoms that are usually seen in allergies, such as itchy eyes and a scratchy throat , are not seen here.

What exactly is Nonallergic Rhinitis?

Gustatory Rhinitis is actually a sub-type of the larger category called Nonallergic Rhinitis . Simply put, Nonallergic Rhinitis is a condition in which the lining of the nose becomes swollen, causing symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, and stuffy nose, without any connection to an allergy. The symptoms are similar to those of an allergy like Hay Fever. But the cause is completely different. A doctor will only diagnose you with this condition after testing you to make sure you don’t have any allergies. Nonallergic Rhinitis can occur at any time of the year. It usually becomes more common after the age of 20. There are many triggers that can cause it.
  • Cigarettes and vehicle exhaust
  • Strong scents like perfumes
  • Changes in weather
  • Dust and air pollution
  • Alcohol
  • Spicy and hot foods (this is the cause of Gustatory Rhinitis)
  • Some medications (e.g. aspirin , ibuprofen, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants)
  • Continued use of certain nasal sprays (decongestant nasal sprays )
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or hypothyroidism
  • Sleep apnea (a condition in which breathing stops for a moment during sleep)
  • Acid reflux

What is the strange name 'Snatiation'?

There is another very interesting, but not very well-studied condition called 'Snatiation' . It is a combination of two words: Sneezing (sneezing) + Satiation (fullness) . Scientists have come up with a long name for it: “ Sneezing N on-controllably A t a T ime of I ndulgence - A T rait Inherited and O rdained to be N amed ”. This refers to the hereditary habit of sneezing uncontrollably after a full meal. Although this may seem like a genetic condition, it is not a serious problem.

Types of Nonallergic Rhinitis Other Than Gustatory Rhinitis

There are several other subtypes of Nonallergic Rhinitis, as well as Gustatory Rhinitis. Let's look at them in this table.
Type of rhinitis Simple explanation
Cold air rhinitis (Skier's nose) Runny nose when exposed to cold weather.
Senile rhinitis (Atrophic rhinitis) As you age or after some nasal surgeries, your nose becomes drier because the glands in your nose don't produce enough moisture.
Rhinitis medicamentosa This is a condition caused by the long-term overuse of some decongestant sprays.

How is this condition treated?

Gustatory Rhinitis is not a serious condition, but there are several ways and treatments to reduce the discomfort it causes.

1. Avoiding triggers

This is the simplest and first thing. Observe yourself to see what kind of food makes you feel like you're having this kind of diarrhea. You can easily control this condition by eating as little of those spicy, hot foods as possible.

2. Medical treatment

Sometimes, controlling your diet alone may not be enough. In such cases, you can talk to your doctor and get appropriate treatment.
Treatment method Description
Nasal ipratropium This is one of the best treatments for this condition. It is a nasal spray that is prescribed by a doctor. It stops the glands in the nose from producing excess fluid.
Nasal irrigation Rinsing the inside of the nose with saline can help reduce symptoms, especially congestion. You can use a neti pot or special bottles to do this.
Nasal antihistamines These are also sprays that can be obtained with a doctor's prescription. They help with nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.
Nasal glucocorticoids (Steroid sprays) These steroid sprays also help control symptoms. They can take a few days or weeks to achieve maximum results.
Decongestants These can be taken as pills. However, they are usually only used if other treatments have failed. This is because they can cause side effects such as high blood pressure, restlessness, and insomnia. Never use these without the advice of a doctor.

Take-Home Message

  • A runny nose after eating spicy or hot foods may be caused by Gustatory Rhinitis. This is not a dangerous condition or an allergy.
  • The simplest solution to this is to identify the foods that cause this condition for you and avoid them.
  • If the symptoms are bothersome, there are very effective treatments available.
  • Before starting any treatment, especially pills or sprays, be sure to consult your doctor . Then you can choose the most suitable and safest treatment for you.
Gustatory Rhinitis, Nonallergic Rhinitis, Runny Nose, Nasal Congestion, Itching, Spicy Food, Allergies

👩🏽‍⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)

💬 What is Gustatory Rhinitis?

Gustatory rhinitis is a condition where we suddenly get a runny nose (runny nose) when we eat something spicy or hot. This is something like an allergy that occurs naturally in some people.

💬 What is the main reason for this situation?

Often, when we eat foods with a lot of chili, pepper, garlic, or other hot foods, the nerves in our nose become hypersensitive and this kind of mucus starts to come out.

💬 Can you stop this runny nose while eating?

The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to avoid eating spicy, hot foods. However, if absolutely necessary, you can also use a nasal spray as directed by a doctor.

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