Why do I always have a runny nose whenever I run?!
Question: Whenever I do a running activity, whether indoors or outdoors, my nose begins to run. I can also feel the mucus going into my throat, which makes it hard to breathe, and I believe this is affecting my conditioning levels in basketball. What is the problem, and how do I stop this from happening?
Answers: Whenever I do a running activity, whether indoors or outdoors, my nose begins to run. I can also feel the mucus going into my throat, which makes it hard to breathe, and I believe this is affecting my conditioning levels in basketball. What is the problem, and how do I stop this from happening?
Rhinorrhea (runny nose) occurring with exercise is common, and is a type of vasomotor rhinitis- this is generally caused by the nerves of the nose responding to certain stimuli, in this case exercise, and triggering symptoms, in this case runny nose. This frequently occurs in cold weather as well, thus the term "skier's-jogger's nose". A similar condition occurs in some people with eating, when the nose will run with the ingestion of food, which is called gustatory rhinorrhea.
This can be treated using a prescription nose spray call Atrovent nasal (generic name: ipratropium), available in 0.03% or 0.06%. The only symptom this medication controls is runny nose.
If you tried this, and you still had problems breathing with exercise, then that it is different evaluation with its own list of possible causes.
It appears that you may have blocked mucous in your sinus passages which unclogs due to moist heat. Try irrigating your nasal passages once in the am and once in the evening several hours before bedtime as it tends to drain. The nasal rinse kit comes with premixed saline solution that is ph balanced. Use 'bottled' water vs tap water for the mix and it should help. After using it, bend your head low (to about your knees and turn your head to empty out any fluids still in there) before going out. Carry tissues as it will probably take a day or so before you really get whatever is stuck there. Using OTC or prescription sprays will only dry it up, but it will stick be there and come out as soon as moist heat hits it.