A chronic runny nose is a great trouble. The only salvation for people facing this ailment is medication sprayed into the nose, which they always have to carry with them. AND klinika otorhinolaryngologist and doctor of medical sciences Darius Rauba knows more than one person who has become dependent on medicines that help get rid of a runny nose. The trouble is that many don't know these medicines mustn't be used for longer than a week. Nose drops used for a long time disrupt the nutrition of the nasal mucous membrane, so there's a far greater risk of acute sinusitis. D. Rauba answers the questions that people suffering from a chronic runny nose most often face and proves that there is, after all, hope of getting rid of this problem. 

• What causes a chronic runny nose? 

Many people don't suspect that a chronic runny nose can be allergic in origin. An allergic runny nose is most often linked to the flowering of certain plants, but for some, even house dust can provoke an allergy. People suffering from this type of runny nose are troubled by a constantly blocked nose, sneezing and watering eyes. Another culprit of a chronic runny nose is dry air. This type of runny nose is most often faced by those who spend a lot of time driving a car or work in poorly ventilated rooms. Interestingly, there are no receptors in the airways to warn a person about dry air. We find out about it when various signs of irritation appear, for example, the eyes start to smart and dry out.

• In what cases should you see a doctor? 

If breathing through the nose is impaired for longer than a month, that's a sign you need to look for the cause of this ailment. A daily runny nose isn't normal.

• Sometimes a runny nose can't be shaken for many years. Does that mean all you can do is put up with it?

First, you must determine the cause of the runny nose – whether it's allergic in origin or linked to dilated blood vessels. Such patients often end up at the allergist's, and if suspicions of an allergy aren't confirmed, they go to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. In the case of an allergic runny nose, the patient is prescribed sprays containing hormones that suppress inflammation and reduce allergic reactions. If a diagnosis of allergic runny nose isn't confirmed, the cause of the runny nose is likely dilated blood vessels. There's only one way to reduce the nasal blood vessels – an operation. It can be carried out under local anaesthesia, so it's not only an effective but also a completely painless procedure.

• Is this surgical method new? 

This method has been known worldwide for several decades, but recently great progress has been made in developing a new surgical technique. Many probably remember that a couple of decades ago a different method was used – cauterising the nasal mucous membrane – but this method is outdated and physiologically unacceptable.   

• People often consider a runny nose a trifle, so they don't think an operation is warranted for it. What would you advise them? 

In my work I notice that patients' personal convictions really do determine a great deal. Some people treat themselves with various sprays for a runny nose for whole decades, and although it doesn't help, they still avoid an operation. But it's a completely straightforward procedure, after which in most cases a chronic runny nose is said goodbye to for good. Not infrequently, people who've recovered after a nose operation say that if they'd known about the benefits of this treatment, they wouldn't have spent so much money on various sprays.