Causes of chronic, non-allergic rhinitis Viral The most common cause of nonallergic rhinitis is acute viral infection. (http://ncbi.nlm.nih.

gov/pubmed/16719251) Viral URIs are the leading cause of acute rhinitis. Viruses known to cause acute viral rhinitis include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, influenza, and adenoviruses. In most patients, viral infections are self-limited and require only symptomatic treatment. Occasionally, a bacterial superinfection exists or the patient develops rhinosinusitis. In these patients, symptoms generally worsen (e.g., facial pain, nasal obstruction, fever). Sinusitis is best diagnosed through history, physical examination, and prediction rules, and not through computed tomography. (http://aafp.org/afp/2006/0501/p1583.html) Bacterial Of the bacteria studied in these cases, the most prevalent type of bacterial overgrowth involve not only staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic-resistant staph, and coagulase-negative staph, but also gram-negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria, for which our standard antibiotics do not effectively treat. (http://acupuncturesf.com/articles/sinusitis.html) Fungal Although some clues exist about the causative relationship of fungi and chronic rhinosinusitis, the relationship of nasal polyps and fungi has not been enlightened. (http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17882909) Superantigen response Another type of cause in recent years is the superantigen response, which is being heavily researched in relation to autoimmune and hypersensitivity disorders, and is being acknowledged as a cause of many cases of rhinosinuvitis that is difficult to treat. (http://acupuncturesf.com/articles/sinusitis.html) Vasomotor dysfunction Chronic rhinosinuvitis may also be perpetuated by other chronic health issues which inhibit tissue maintenance, immune function, and may stimulate a vasomotor response, which is a vascular and neural stimulation of blood vessel dilation and subsequent swelling and fluid drainage. Underlying health issues often need to be assessed and treated as well. (http://acupuncturesf.com/articles/sinusitis.html) Gastrointestinal association Many studies show a clear association between gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic rhinosinuvitis as well. (http://acupuncturesf.com/articles/sinusitis.html) Qi and Blood Stagnation (in Chinese medicine) Chronic nasal congestion, ameliorated during daytime activities alternating sides (http://is.gd/tcmrhinitis)

Other: Autonomic dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, neurohormonal problems, drug side effects, and rebound vasomotor effects from chronic use of decongestants (http://acupuncturesf.com/articles/sinusitis.html)