COPD and Runny Noses

Do you have sinus problems or a runny nose along with COPD? The symptoms might seem unrelated. But over time, inflammation can damage the cilia in your nose and cause nasal symptoms.^1,2

This leads to permanent changes in your nasal passages, including narrowing of airways. Obstructions in the airways impact your respiratory health and your nose’s ability to filter out irritants. Your nasal passages filter the air you breathe in and protect the respiratory tract.^1-3

How does COPD affect your nose?

COPD is a severe lung condition that makes breathing difficult. But it can also affect your nose and sinuses. You may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion or a runny nose.^1-5

COPD makes it tough to breathe and inhale. Risk factors for COPD include:¹

• Smoking cigarettes
• Breathing secondhand smoke
• Working around high levels of fumes, dust, and other chemicals

Ongoing irritation of your nose and sinuses is called chronic rhinosinusitis or CRS. CRS in COPD is often undiagnosed. But there have been studies that suggest thinking of COPD and CRS as a unified disease of the airways. That is because upper respiratory tract inflammation including CRS affects lower airway disease.¹

When you are exposed to smoke and air pollutants, your body uses mucus to trap the pollutants and protect your lungs. Mucus building up leads to inflammation in your airways. And inflammation causes nasal symptoms. Prolonged contact with these pollutants can damage your nasal passages and lead to narrower airways that limit oxygen to the lungs.^1-4

Common nasal symptoms of COPD include:³

• Stuffy, congested, dry, or runny nose
• Postnasal drip
• Sneezing
• A feeling of burning inside your nose
• Nosebleeds
• Sinus headaches or facial pain
• Sinus infections

Why do people with COPD get a runny nose?

When left untreated, nasal symptoms related to COPD may get worse and cause sinus infections or damage the cilia inside your nose.^4,5

One common nasal symptom is a runny nose, although the reasons why are still being researched. One long-term study of people with COPD found upper airway symptoms increase over time, particularly a runny nose.⁵

Anything that irritates the nose can cause a runny nose. Some common triggers are colds, allergies, or sinusitis. A runny nose can be accompanied by coughing and wheezing and occurs due to airway inflammation or a viral infection.¹

Some studies have linked smoking and viral infections to an increased risk of both CRS and COPD. Together, the diseases make it easier for germs to take hold in your airways.¹

COPD lowers your immunity and makes you more sensitive to inhaled irritants. This can increase your risk of sinusitis and make symptoms worse. Sinusitis causes:^1,4,5

• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Sinus pressure
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fevers

Nasal and breathing issues can trigger a COPD attack or overlap with COPD symptoms. People with COPD often experience wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath that causes fatigue. Sinusitis also makes it hard to breathe due to stuffiness and head congestion.^4,5

Treatment options for nasal symptoms of COPD

COPD can cause chronic sinus problems due to the ongoing inflammation of mucous membranes inside your nose. One of the best ways to manage nasal symptoms is to avoid the irritants and allergens triggering them.^3-5

If you experience congestion or other sinus issues, do your best to avoid:^3-5

• Cigarette smoke
• Perfumes
• Dust
• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Mold

Drugs to treat nasal congestion or runny nose may include:³

• Antihistamines to hinder histamine release
• Antibiotics for infections
• Anticholinergics for runny nose
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Decongestants
• Expectorants to loosen thickened mucus
• Leukotriene inhibitors for asthma-related rhinitis

Other treatments include:³

• Humidifiers or air purifiers to improve air quality
• Saline sprays to relieve congestion or dryness in the nose
• Steam inhalation to clear mucus from airways