What can I do to rid myself of this never-ending runny nose? DR PHILIPPA KAYE reveals the common over-the-counter treatment that could be making the issue WORSE and the daily habit you must ditch now

My sinuses have been bunged up for years. I’m constantly blowing my nose. I use nasal decongestants but those don’t seem to help. What should I do?

Dr Philippa Kaye answers: Nasal decongestants should not be used for more than a few days. Otherwise, these drugs can trigger uncomfortable side effects.

Bunged sinuses are usually triggered by a condition called rhinitis. This is where the lining of the nose is inflamed, leading to an overproduction of mucus.

The problem is often set off by a cold. However, when this is the cause, the problem tends to resolve itself in a week or two.

Rhinitis can be caused by allergies, such as to dust or pollen. Irritants, like smoke or perfume, are linked to the problem.

Growths inside the nose – called polyps – can also lead to these symptoms.

Patients with this chronic problem should ask their GP for a scan of the nose, to look for signs of these growths. There are drugs that patients can take to reduce the inflammation caused by polyps.

Even if the cause isn’t polyps, there are other steps.

One of the most important is working out what could be causing the problem. So, for example, it might be worth taking a daily antihistamine tablet – which combats allergies – to see if the symptoms improve.

Patients who use perfumes might consider stopping using the fragrance for a week to see there are any changes to their symptoms. 

It’s also important to stop smoking and also limit time spent in dry environments like heavily air-conditioned rooms.

One common mistake many patients make is overusing nasal decongestant sprays. These drugs, while sometimes effective, are not designed for long-term use. This can lead to a condition called rhinitis medicamentosa, where the medication itself starts to trigger the symptoms.

Instead, patients should use salt sprays, also known as saline sprays, that are designed to clean out the nose and reduce inflammation.

Saline rinses, a saltwater solution, can also be helpful – particularly if allergies are the cause.

Many people find that placing a humidifier in the bedroom can be helpful. So too can avoiding eating late and keeping hydrated.

Patients are advised to wash their bedding regularly and consider purchasing an allergen-proof mattress, pillow and duvet protectors, to limit the risk of dust allergies flaring up the rhinitis.

Likewise, regular vacuuming and dusting can also help. 

I’ve been suffering with chronic diarrhoea. I recently did a blood test, which showed I have low immunoglobulin A levels. What could this mean?

Dr Philippa Kaye answers: Low immunoglobulin A levels could be a sign of coeliac disease. The painful autoimmune condition is triggered by eating gluten.

Immunoglobulin A are antibody cells that protect the gut, airway and saliva from infections.

Overtime, low levels can lead to frequent sinus, chest or ear infections.

Some patients experience a condition called selective immunoglobulin A deficiency, where their levels are lower than normal for no clear reason.

Others can have low levels because of an underlying health problem like blood cancer or severe malnutrition.

However, when combined with diarrhoea, it’s likely that the problem is due to coeliac disease – where the body reacts to the presence of gluten.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, meaning it is usually found in bread and pasta.

Coeliac sufferers who eat gluten products typically experience diarrhoea, fatigue and weight loss.

This is triggered by the immune system incorrectly reacting to the gluten and attacking the lining of the small intestine.

The main treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This should help the intestines to heal and prevent further symptoms.

Patients are advised not to cut out gluten until they receive an official diagnosis.

This is because the condition usually only shows up on a blood test if the patient is experiencing intestine inflammation at the time of the test. So cutting out gluten could delay diagnosis.

Anyone who experiences coeliac symptoms should always see a GP. This is because, in rare cases, the symptoms can be a sign of cancer.

It’s also important that patients experiencing diarrhoea drink plenty of fluid because the issue can lead to dehydration.

• Write to Dr Philippa Kaye at Health, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London, W8 5HY or email: health@mailonsunday.co.uk – include contact details. Dr Kaye cannot enter into personal correspondence. Replies should be taken in a general context. Consult your own GP with any health worries.