Allergic rhinitis
Sajid Latif asked:
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nose resulting from an allergy. It affects five to 10 per cent of the population. A very common form is hay fever.
What causes allergic rhinitis and what are the risk factors?
An allergy is a response by the body’s defence system (the immune system) to something that is not a harmful infection. Such ‘harmless’ substances (allergens) include pollen, cat hair, animal dander, the house dust mite and mould spores.
It is not known why people develop allergic rhinitis. It is more common in people from families with eczema and asthma and there is probably an inherited factor that affects the way the immune system reacts to allergens.
What are the symptoms and complications of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis results in a runny, itchy and blocked nose. On lying down at night the fluid in the nose drips down on to the back of the throat and causes bouts of coughing, which can be uncomfortable and disturb sleep.
How do doctors recognise allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is usually diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and their seasonal nature if it is hay fever or their association with a particular allergen such as cat hair.
Year-round allergic rhinitis due to mould spores or house dust mite is more difficult to diagnose as there are other similar forms of rhinitis that do not result from allergy. More than one allergen may be involved
What is the treatment for allergic rhinitis?
Self-care action plan
A self-care action plans to avoid the allergen and so minimise the symptoms of allergic rhinitis includes:
Keeping windows closed and using an air ioniser (for pollen)
Regular vacuuming using a vacuum cleaner with a pollen filter (all allergens)
Damp dusting, so preventing dust from being dispersed into the air (for house dust mite)
Use of special bed and pillow coverings and regular laundering of bedclothes
Medicines
A variety of medicines can be bought at the chemist to treat allergic rhinitis. Probably the most effective is a beclomethasone nasal spray. This acts to stop the inflammation in the nose, but takes a few days to produce this effect and so needs to be started before the symptoms become too severe. Once the symptoms are severe it may be sneezed straight out again.
Although allergic rhinitis is common in young women, none of these medications is recommended for use during pregnancy. All should be avoided if possible during pregnancy and increased efforts should be made to minimise exposure to the allergen as outlined in the self-care section of this factsheet. If the symptoms remain a problem, a doctor should be consulted.
Hyposensitisation
This involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance that causes the allergy and in the process making the immune system less responsive to it. This should only be carried out under close medical supervision as occasionally this treatment causes a life-threatening allergic response that must be treated immediately with an injection of adrenaline.
Complementary therapy
Some complementary therapies (homoeopathy, osteopathy and acupuncture) claim to have beneficial effects on hay fever, but the explanations for their effect are not consistent with the traditional medical understanding of hay fever. Shiatsu, the Alexander technique and aromatherapy may help to improve general well-being and symptoms.
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nose resulting from an allergy. It affects five to 10 per cent of the population. A very common form is hay fever.
What causes allergic rhinitis and what are the risk factors?
An allergy is a response by the body’s defence system (the immune system) to something that is not a harmful infection. Such ‘harmless’ substances (allergens) include pollen, cat hair, animal dander, the house dust mite and mould spores.
It is not known why people develop allergic rhinitis. It is more common in people from families with eczema and asthma and there is probably an inherited factor that affects the way the immune system reacts to allergens.
What are the symptoms and complications of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis results in a runny, itchy and blocked nose. On lying down at night the fluid in the nose drips down on to the back of the throat and causes bouts of coughing, which can be uncomfortable and disturb sleep.
How do doctors recognise allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is usually diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and their seasonal nature if it is hay fever or their association with a particular allergen such as cat hair.
Year-round allergic rhinitis due to mould spores or house dust mite is more difficult to diagnose as there are other similar forms of rhinitis that do not result from allergy. More than one allergen may be involved
What is the treatment for allergic rhinitis?
Self-care action plan
A self-care action plans to avoid the allergen and so minimise the symptoms of allergic rhinitis includes:
Keeping windows closed and using an air ioniser (for pollen)
Regular vacuuming using a vacuum cleaner with a pollen filter (all allergens)
Damp dusting, so preventing dust from being dispersed into the air (for house dust mite)
Use of special bed and pillow coverings and regular laundering of bedclothes
Medicines
A variety of medicines can be bought at the chemist to treat allergic rhinitis. Probably the most effective is a beclomethasone nasal spray. This acts to stop the inflammation in the nose, but takes a few days to produce this effect and so needs to be started before the symptoms become too severe. Once the symptoms are severe it may be sneezed straight out again.
Although allergic rhinitis is common in young women, none of these medications is recommended for use during pregnancy. All should be avoided if possible during pregnancy and increased efforts should be made to minimise exposure to the allergen as outlined in the self-care section of this factsheet. If the symptoms remain a problem, a doctor should be consulted.
Hyposensitisation
This involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance that causes the allergy and in the process making the immune system less responsive to it. This should only be carried out under close medical supervision as occasionally this treatment causes a life-threatening allergic response that must be treated immediately with an injection of adrenaline.
Complementary therapy
Some complementary therapies (homoeopathy, osteopathy and acupuncture) claim to have beneficial effects on hay fever, but the explanations for their effect are not consistent with the traditional medical understanding of hay fever. Shiatsu, the Alexander technique and aromatherapy may help to improve general well-being and symptoms.
How to Take Good Care of your Nose?
Alexander Chong asked:
A patient once had asked to a doctor about what did he need to do to take good care of his nose. The doctor simply and straightforwardly replied to the patient that what was more important was what not to do to your nose. Bad habits such as nose-picking, sniffing, rubbing, blowing the noses hard or stuffing things such as tissue and handkerchiefs up to the nostril can do a lot of harm to your nose. Generally, nose will take good care by itself. Physiologically, when we breathe in air in our lung, nose will warm, clean and humidify it. When we breathe out the air from our lung, it will cool and remove the water from the air. Besides using for breathing, nose is also the organ of smell and allows us to speech with a quality voice. Anatomically, a layer of skin covers the external part of the nose. Appearance of the nose is maintained by a complex network of bone and cartilage. Its function and shape may be altered if its complex network of bone and cartilage has been damaged by either trauma or infection.
Internal part of the nose contains respiratory mucous membranes, paranasal sinuses, nasolacrimal duct and nasopharynx. Besides all these sinuses, internal part of the nose also contains gland that secreting mucous. Tiny-hair-like-cilia continuously pushes the secreted mucous backwards into the back of our nose and throat, in order that, mucus does not flow out from our nostrils. Septum is the partition in the middle part of the internal nose. It is a cartilage, which can be easily fractured. Some people septum has deviated after born and some deviation may due to the unperceived injury during childhood. This will cause blockage on one side of the nose. However, this deviation can be corrected by an operation.
Contents of mucus are merely a mixture of water, ions, glycoproteins and immunoglobulins. Mucus can be said as part of the nasal defense system and it keeps the nose clean and free from bacteria, fungus and viruses. At the roof of the nose, there is olfactory mucosa, which is responsible for our sense of smell. Located at the side and top of the nasal cavity are the air sacs paranasal sinuses. There are total four pairs of paranasal sinuses and given name as maxillary, ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses. This is where the mucous has been produced and being drained out through the openings called ostium. Infection that causes obstruction to this mucous outflow can lead to sinusitis. Conditions that directly and indirectly affect the nose are common colds, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and nasal polyps.
Common cold is a very common disease that everybody can suffer at one time or another. It is caused by an infection of self-limiting viral. The symptoms are production of excessive clear mucous (runny nose), sneezing and nasal congestion. Seriousness of this disease is depending to how strong our immune system and also how vigorous the viruses that attack us. If we have a strong immune system, this disease will not exacerbate to sinusitis, asthma and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). People with weak immune system will suffer a lot more. This is because it not only causes runny nose but also causes inflammation in the nasal passages and sore throat. If this disease does not treat within a few days for the one who does not have a strong immune system, it can exacerbate to sinusitis, asthma and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). This disease can easily spread through body to body close contact especially hand to hand contact, sneezing mucous and saliva droplets. To recover from this disease, infected person only needs to keep warm, rest and take a lot of warm water. According to most of the resources, there is no cure for common cold. However, doctor usually prescribes antibiotic, anti-fever drug and anti-cough syrup to the patience. Most of the medical doctor will also include a few supplements such as vitamin C, zinc and Echinacea. Prescribed antibiotic by the doctor is not for treating the common cold virus. This is because antibiotic is not capable to kill virus. However, it can kill bacteria that take advantage during the infection of cold viruses.
Allergic rhinitis is also known as sensitive nose. Symptoms of this disease are continuous sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose. The symptoms emerge only when one has been exposed to certain allergens such as house dust-mite, pollen, fungi, cigarette smoke, animal dandruff, furs and other irritating volatile chemicals. Sufferer can take anti-histamine tablets to relieve from this disease. Histamine is the main chemical that causes sensitive feeling in the nasal cavity. Nasal sprays contains corticosteroid hormone, which helps reduce our body immune system sensitivity to the foreign antigen, also can help to relieve the sensitive feeling in the nasal cavity. Corticosteroid is one of hormone that has been secreted from our adrenalin gland. Besides all these, immunotherapy is also one of the ways that can be used to treat this disease. These symptoms also can be alleviated by having regular exercise
Sinusitis is caused by the infection of the bacteria and fungi to the paranasal sinuses. This happens when bacteria and fungi entering these cavities. Occurrence of sinusitis is due to inflammation, nasal polyps and other nasal anatomical abnormalities that obstruct the mucosal outflow. Patient with sinusitis usually feels pain or pressure at the forehead or face. It is quite common that yellowish and greenish mucous will be discharged from your nostril especially in the morning. One with sinusitis, sense of smell will reduce or not that sharp compared to healthy nose. Sinusitis is due to the bacteria and fungi infection, so, antibiotics can help. However, prolonged and frequent sufferers may need to go through operation to clean up the nasal sinuses.
Nasal polyps are a grape-like swellings found in nasal cavity. They tend to block the air to flow through the nasal passage when breathing. Usually, it will cause production of excessive mucous. Sometimes, it will obstruct the ostium of the paranasal sinuses and cause the nasal mucous cannot be flowed out easily from the paranasal sinuses. This will give rise to sinusitis. Nasal sprays can control nasal polyps. Some nasal sprays can make the nasal polyps shrank temporarily. However, prolonged use will cause the nasal polyps rebound and become bigger. But if the nasal polyps are big and multiple and cause obstruction in the nasal cavity, operation is required to remove them. Unfortunately, they are a recurring disease.
A patient once had asked to a doctor about what did he need to do to take good care of his nose. The doctor simply and straightforwardly replied to the patient that what was more important was what not to do to your nose. Bad habits such as nose-picking, sniffing, rubbing, blowing the noses hard or stuffing things such as tissue and handkerchiefs up to the nostril can do a lot of harm to your nose. Generally, nose will take good care by itself. Physiologically, when we breathe in air in our lung, nose will warm, clean and humidify it. When we breathe out the air from our lung, it will cool and remove the water from the air. Besides using for breathing, nose is also the organ of smell and allows us to speech with a quality voice. Anatomically, a layer of skin covers the external part of the nose. Appearance of the nose is maintained by a complex network of bone and cartilage. Its function and shape may be altered if its complex network of bone and cartilage has been damaged by either trauma or infection.
Internal part of the nose contains respiratory mucous membranes, paranasal sinuses, nasolacrimal duct and nasopharynx. Besides all these sinuses, internal part of the nose also contains gland that secreting mucous. Tiny-hair-like-cilia continuously pushes the secreted mucous backwards into the back of our nose and throat, in order that, mucus does not flow out from our nostrils. Septum is the partition in the middle part of the internal nose. It is a cartilage, which can be easily fractured. Some people septum has deviated after born and some deviation may due to the unperceived injury during childhood. This will cause blockage on one side of the nose. However, this deviation can be corrected by an operation.
Contents of mucus are merely a mixture of water, ions, glycoproteins and immunoglobulins. Mucus can be said as part of the nasal defense system and it keeps the nose clean and free from bacteria, fungus and viruses. At the roof of the nose, there is olfactory mucosa, which is responsible for our sense of smell. Located at the side and top of the nasal cavity are the air sacs paranasal sinuses. There are total four pairs of paranasal sinuses and given name as maxillary, ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses. This is where the mucous has been produced and being drained out through the openings called ostium. Infection that causes obstruction to this mucous outflow can lead to sinusitis. Conditions that directly and indirectly affect the nose are common colds, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and nasal polyps.
Common cold is a very common disease that everybody can suffer at one time or another. It is caused by an infection of self-limiting viral. The symptoms are production of excessive clear mucous (runny nose), sneezing and nasal congestion. Seriousness of this disease is depending to how strong our immune system and also how vigorous the viruses that attack us. If we have a strong immune system, this disease will not exacerbate to sinusitis, asthma and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). People with weak immune system will suffer a lot more. This is because it not only causes runny nose but also causes inflammation in the nasal passages and sore throat. If this disease does not treat within a few days for the one who does not have a strong immune system, it can exacerbate to sinusitis, asthma and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). This disease can easily spread through body to body close contact especially hand to hand contact, sneezing mucous and saliva droplets. To recover from this disease, infected person only needs to keep warm, rest and take a lot of warm water. According to most of the resources, there is no cure for common cold. However, doctor usually prescribes antibiotic, anti-fever drug and anti-cough syrup to the patience. Most of the medical doctor will also include a few supplements such as vitamin C, zinc and Echinacea. Prescribed antibiotic by the doctor is not for treating the common cold virus. This is because antibiotic is not capable to kill virus. However, it can kill bacteria that take advantage during the infection of cold viruses.
Allergic rhinitis is also known as sensitive nose. Symptoms of this disease are continuous sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose. The symptoms emerge only when one has been exposed to certain allergens such as house dust-mite, pollen, fungi, cigarette smoke, animal dandruff, furs and other irritating volatile chemicals. Sufferer can take anti-histamine tablets to relieve from this disease. Histamine is the main chemical that causes sensitive feeling in the nasal cavity. Nasal sprays contains corticosteroid hormone, which helps reduce our body immune system sensitivity to the foreign antigen, also can help to relieve the sensitive feeling in the nasal cavity. Corticosteroid is one of hormone that has been secreted from our adrenalin gland. Besides all these, immunotherapy is also one of the ways that can be used to treat this disease. These symptoms also can be alleviated by having regular exercise
Sinusitis is caused by the infection of the bacteria and fungi to the paranasal sinuses. This happens when bacteria and fungi entering these cavities. Occurrence of sinusitis is due to inflammation, nasal polyps and other nasal anatomical abnormalities that obstruct the mucosal outflow. Patient with sinusitis usually feels pain or pressure at the forehead or face. It is quite common that yellowish and greenish mucous will be discharged from your nostril especially in the morning. One with sinusitis, sense of smell will reduce or not that sharp compared to healthy nose. Sinusitis is due to the bacteria and fungi infection, so, antibiotics can help. However, prolonged and frequent sufferers may need to go through operation to clean up the nasal sinuses.
Nasal polyps are a grape-like swellings found in nasal cavity. They tend to block the air to flow through the nasal passage when breathing. Usually, it will cause production of excessive mucous. Sometimes, it will obstruct the ostium of the paranasal sinuses and cause the nasal mucous cannot be flowed out easily from the paranasal sinuses. This will give rise to sinusitis. Nasal sprays can control nasal polyps. Some nasal sprays can make the nasal polyps shrank temporarily. However, prolonged use will cause the nasal polyps rebound and become bigger. But if the nasal polyps are big and multiple and cause obstruction in the nasal cavity, operation is required to remove them. Unfortunately, they are a recurring disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Navneet Brar asked:
Getting desperate to breathe in the real sense?
Want to eat all that you crave for?
Want to do anything to get rid of a handicap-like inhalers and medicines?
Do not worry!
Here is a complete guide to free you from this trap FOREVER!
But first of all, let’s join to gather the needed information about your problem Asthma!
Asthma is a chronic condition in which narrowing of the nasal or air passage causes periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These changes occur with the changes in the environment, including weather, allergens (such as dog or cat dander or dust), foods, or respiratory infections (flu, colds).
Asthma is also popularly known as Bronchial asthma, Exercise induced asthma – bronchial.
Causes of Asthma:
1. Inhaled allergens like pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens
2. Respiratory infections
3. Exercise
4. Cold air
5. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants
6. Stress
7. Food
8. Drug allergies
9. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
10. An individual and/or family history of allergies such as Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) or Eczema
11. strong emotions
Asthma attacks can last from minutes to days and become really dangerous if the flow of the air becomes severely restricted.
Recent researches show that asthma occurs in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Usually, half of the people with asthma develop this disease before age 10, and the rest before age 30. These symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Asthma Symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath
Your chest feels tight and you start feeling that you can’t catch your breath anymore or get all the air you need.
2. Frequent Coughing
If you cough very frequently every day or if this cough starts interrupting your sleep at night that won’t quit, it could be a symptom of asthma.
3. Wheezing attacks
A whistling sound heard when a person with asthma is breathing. It happens when mucus causes the small passageways in your lungs called alveoli start to narrow. It happens all of a sudden and not constant. It may worsen at bedtime or early morning or by breathing cold air or by exercising.
4. Intercostal Retractions
These retractions stand for the inward movement of the muscles in the spaces between the ribs. The reduced pressure in the chest cavity is the reason for this pulling of the muscles. This is a sign of difficult breathing.
5. Tightness in the Chest
This can be quite threatening to the asthma sufferer. It gives the feeling of a steel band or a weight that is keeping your lungs from fully expanding as your breathe in.
6. Pallor or Cyanosis
Pallor is a whitish color and cyanosis is a bluish color in the lips and face. If either one of these is followed with severe shortness of breath, are danger signs of asthma attack. You need to get help right away if you notice this symptom.
7. Anxiety or Discomfort
A feeling of intense fear and uneasiness occurs when you find it difficult to breathe. If your anxiety is accompanied by short of breath and / or pallor or cyanosis, then undoubtedly, its time to get emergency help.
8. Fast pulse rate
If you find that your pulse is running extremely fast and you are sweating badly, then do not waste even a single moment and visit your doctor.
If you notice any of these symptoms in you or any of your near and dear ones on a regular or ongoing basis, then you might consult a doctor about whether you have asthma. And if already an asthma sufferer then do not waste time and immediately visit your doctor. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms.
May God bless you!
Getting desperate to breathe in the real sense?
Want to eat all that you crave for?
Want to do anything to get rid of a handicap-like inhalers and medicines?
Do not worry!
Here is a complete guide to free you from this trap FOREVER!
But first of all, let’s join to gather the needed information about your problem Asthma!
Asthma is a chronic condition in which narrowing of the nasal or air passage causes periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These changes occur with the changes in the environment, including weather, allergens (such as dog or cat dander or dust), foods, or respiratory infections (flu, colds).
Asthma is also popularly known as Bronchial asthma, Exercise induced asthma – bronchial.
Causes of Asthma:
1. Inhaled allergens like pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens
2. Respiratory infections
3. Exercise
4. Cold air
5. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants
6. Stress
7. Food
8. Drug allergies
9. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
10. An individual and/or family history of allergies such as Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) or Eczema
11. strong emotions
Asthma attacks can last from minutes to days and become really dangerous if the flow of the air becomes severely restricted.
Recent researches show that asthma occurs in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Usually, half of the people with asthma develop this disease before age 10, and the rest before age 30. These symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Asthma Symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath
Your chest feels tight and you start feeling that you can’t catch your breath anymore or get all the air you need.
2. Frequent Coughing
If you cough very frequently every day or if this cough starts interrupting your sleep at night that won’t quit, it could be a symptom of asthma.
3. Wheezing attacks
A whistling sound heard when a person with asthma is breathing. It happens when mucus causes the small passageways in your lungs called alveoli start to narrow. It happens all of a sudden and not constant. It may worsen at bedtime or early morning or by breathing cold air or by exercising.
4. Intercostal Retractions
These retractions stand for the inward movement of the muscles in the spaces between the ribs. The reduced pressure in the chest cavity is the reason for this pulling of the muscles. This is a sign of difficult breathing.
5. Tightness in the Chest
This can be quite threatening to the asthma sufferer. It gives the feeling of a steel band or a weight that is keeping your lungs from fully expanding as your breathe in.
6. Pallor or Cyanosis
Pallor is a whitish color and cyanosis is a bluish color in the lips and face. If either one of these is followed with severe shortness of breath, are danger signs of asthma attack. You need to get help right away if you notice this symptom.
7. Anxiety or Discomfort
A feeling of intense fear and uneasiness occurs when you find it difficult to breathe. If your anxiety is accompanied by short of breath and / or pallor or cyanosis, then undoubtedly, its time to get emergency help.
8. Fast pulse rate
If you find that your pulse is running extremely fast and you are sweating badly, then do not waste even a single moment and visit your doctor.
If you notice any of these symptoms in you or any of your near and dear ones on a regular or ongoing basis, then you might consult a doctor about whether you have asthma. And if already an asthma sufferer then do not waste time and immediately visit your doctor. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms.
May God bless you!
