Runny nose due to colds, allergies, or leakage of brain fluids?

Runny nose is a common disease in some people. The causes also vary. Starting from colds, flu, allergies, or sinusitis. However, there are other conditions that can cause these symptoms, namely leakage of brain fluids. Then, what differentiates the causes of a runny nose? Find the answer in the following review.

Leaking brain fluid can cause a runny nose

Reporting from Healthline, a 52-year-old woman named Kendra Jackson in Nebraska, United States (US) suffers from headaches and a runny nose. Initially the doctor diagnosed that the woman had an allergy. However, this condition has not improved after many years. Until a specialist gives a diagnosis that the headache and runny nose are not caused by allergies, but by leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain.

So, the cause of a runny nose is not just sinusitis, colds, flu, or allergies. The fluid that comes out can be excessive mucus due to infection with viruses, bacteria, and allergens or also fluid in the brain that has leaked. However, leakage of brain fluid is very rare.

Distinguishing a runny nose due to leakage of brain fluid from other causes

Usually the symptoms of a runny nose due to a cold, flu, allergies, or sinusitis will resolve when treated and avoid triggers. In contrast to the leakage of brain fluid that continues and does not improve with regular treatment. In addition, there are other symptoms of brain fluid leakage that need to be watched out for, for example:

• Headache
• Ringing in ears
• Visual disturbances; sore eyes and blurred vision
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures

However, each patient with this condition has different symptoms. Usually, the head will feel very painful when you lower your head, get up from a sitting position, and vice versa. Meanwhile, the liquid that comes out is clear in color and will come out more and more when you tilt your head, lower your head, or when you push.

How do doctors diagnose brain fluid leaks?

There are two ways to treat brain fluid leaks, depending on the severity of each condition. First, perform surgery by inserting a small tube called a shunt to drain some of the liquid.

Then, the doctor will recommend the patient to take full rest (bed rest) so that the torn tissue can heal on its own. Second, if the leak is bigger, then you will be patched on the part that is leaking with other similar tissues in the patient's body.