Alexander Chong asked:


What is actually allergy rhinitis? Allergy rhinitis is an allergic disease, which is caused by the sensitinogen that reacting on the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity. It has two types; those are perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year; whereas, seasonal allergic rhinitis usually occurs during the blossoming or flowering season. In this season, plants start to release their pollen for breeding purpose. Pollen is one of the sensitinogens to the allergic rhinitis. Clinical features of allergic rhinitis are; itching in the nose, sneezing, watery nasal discharge and nasal obstruction. There are about 20 % of adults and children have seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis.

Although it is prevalence in most of the countries regardless tropical or seasonal, most of the conditions are not treated adequately and the consequence is that allergic rhinitis becomes chronic. The chronic state of allergic rhinitis usually will lead to more serious complications of the upper and lower airways such as asthma, sinusitis and otitis media with effusion. Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear. Fluid is built up in the middle ear and causes temporary lose of hearing. However, if this chronic disease is not treated properly, it may lead to permanent hearing impairment.

 A few medical scientists had carried out surveys to study the epidemiologic links between allergic rhinitis and other airway diseases. What they had found out were, 78% of patients who had asthma were also had allergic rhinitis. They also found out that 99% of adults and 93% of adolescents, who had allergic asthma, also had allergic rhinitis. Besides, the other study that had been carried out for 23 years was found out that college students who previously had allergic rhinitis had three times higher the possibility to have asthma compared to those students who had not had allergic rhinitis What is actually allergy rhinitis? Allergy rhinitis is an allergic disease, which is caused by the sensitinogen that reacting on the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity. It has two types; those are perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year; whereas, seasonal allergic rhinitis usually occurs during the blossoming or flowering season. In this season, plants start to release their pollen for breeding purpose. Pollen is one of the sensitinogens to the allergic rhinitis. Clinical features of allergic rhinitis are; itching in the nose, sneezing, watery nasal discharge and nasal obstruction. There are about 20 % of adults and children have seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis.

Although it is prevalence in most of the countries regardless tropical or seasonal, most of the conditions are not treated adequately and the consequence is that allergic rhinitis becomes chronic. The chronic state of allergic rhinitis usually will lead to more serious complications of the upper and lower airways such as asthma, sinusitis and otitis media with effusion. Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear. Fluid is built up in the middle ear and causes temporary lose of hearing. However, if this chronic disease is not treated properly, it may lead to permanent hearing impairment.

A few medical scientists had carried out surveys to study the epidemiologic links between allergic rhinitis and other airway diseases. What they had found out were, 78% of patients who had asthma were also had allergic rhinitis. They also found out that 99% of adults and 93% of adolescents, who had allergic asthma, also had allergic rhinitis. Besides, the other study that had been carried out for 23 years was found out that college students who previously had allergic rhinitis had three times higher the possibility to have asthma compared to those students who had not had allergic rhinitis before.

Many researches and works had been carried out to study the epidemiologic link between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The results had been well documented. The earlier study showed that 53% of children, who had allergic rhinitis, also had sinusitis. They proved this from the children abnormal sinus radiographs. Whereas, recent study showed that up to 70% of children, who had allergy and chronic rhinitis, had abnormal sinus radiographs. 78% of the patients who had recurrent sinus infection, rhinitis allergy was coming together with their extensive sinus disease. For the children who had otitis media with effusion, 40 to 50% of them had allergic rhinitis. This was confirmed by positive allergy skin tests or increased serum IgE antibodies to specific allergens test.

Scientist had proposed a model for the development of sinusitis and otitis media. Their proposed model assumes that the earliest cause for sinusitis is not bacterial infection but it is due to the obstruction in the nasal cavity, which hinders the normal movement of air and secretions in and out of sinuses. Virus that causes nasal inflammation is upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) type, which is called rhinovirus. Research had been carried out to study the effect of this virus to the nasal diseases. The result showed that when rhinovirus is inoculated into the nasal passage of a group people, one third of these people would develop sinus abnormities and typical sinus disease symptoms. Another study also showed that 87% of healthy adult, who voluntarily went through self-diagnosed colds, had maxillary sinuses illness.

Fluid inside the sinus cavity must be drained normally to keep the nasal healthy. When nasal being infected by bacteria or virus, or exposure to allergen, dust or chemicals, thicken secretion will be developed and it has higher possibility blocks the narrowed sinus ostia (opening that connect to the sinus cavity). Accumulation of these secretions in the sinus cavity will lead to further obstruction, mucosal swelling and also thicken the sinus mucosa. This will create an anaerobic environment that further favorite the bacterial growth and lead to infection. Congested sinus ostia must be resolved if not, it will lead to recurrent acute and eventually chronic nasal disease. This model also explained why chronic sinusitis is resistant to the antimicrobials treatment alone. To treat the sinusitis properly, antihistamines and corticosteroids have to be used as a combination with the antimicrobials treatment.

A similar model had been developed by scientist to explain the occurrence of otitis media with effusion. 83% of the children had at least once occurrence of acute otits media by the time they reach 3 years old. This model hypothesizes that nasal inflammation that is caused by allergens or URTIs virus will further cause inflammatory swelling and obstruction of the Eustachian tube. Obstruction of the Eustachian tube will increase negative pressure in the middle area and without improper ventilation; fluids will accumulate in the middle ear. Obstructed Eustachian tube will open occasionally with an effusion and this will **** the inner nasal secretion, which contain bacteria, virus and allergens into the middle ear cavity. Consequently, this will cause acute bacterial otitis media.

From the information above that have been gathered from various scientific publications, we know that common nasal allergy should not be left untreated. This is because it will lead to obstruction, fluid accumulation, bacterial infection and acute disease. If these diseases are not treated properly or successfully, a chronic state of inflammation, nasal congestion, and sinus infection will be developed. And it can further cause mucosal damage and ultimately, chronic disease. If the disease spreads to the middle ear, it will cause permanent hearing impairment

 

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Millions of Americans suffer from one respiratory disorder or the other, which can impact their lives in serious ways. A respiratory disorder can be acute or chronic. Acute disorders can be easily treated and last for a short time. On the other hand, chronic disorders are not only difficult to treat but can also leave a person disabled for life.

What is Allergic Bronchitis?

Allergic bronchitis is a type of respiratory disorder. It is commonly referred to as allergic asthma. The immune system of a person suffering from allergic bronchitis is highly sensitve and so hyperactive that it attacks even hamless foriegn substance that enter the body. To put it in other words, the immune system labels a harmless entrant into the body as “dangerous” and produces antibodies to fight against it.

In allergic bronchitis, irritants and allergens inflame the bronchi and lower parts of the respiratory system. The condition lasts as long as the person is exposed to the allergens. In addition, allergic bronchitis is closely associated with asthma and respiratory allergy and can lead to conditions such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis.

In most cases, allergic bronchitis causes mild to moderate suffering. However, it is important to realize that allergic bronchitis can become very dangerous and even cause death. This is because some people are extremely sensitive to allergens. This extreme sensitivity can lead to suffocation caused due to the blocking of airways by inflamed tissues. People in this condition are in great danger. They need immediate hospitalization and medical care.

You know you are a victim of allergic bronchitis when you suffer from breathlessness, runny nose, red or swollen eyes, hyperventilation, tight chest, tickling in throat, persistent sneezing or coughing, headache, nausea, and so on. As soon as you recognise these symptoms, seek the help of a medical practitioner.

Treatment of Allergic Bronchitis

The importance of consulting a physician as soon you notice symptoms of allergic bronchitis cannot be overstressed. The doctor will conduct the required steps to find out which type of allergen is responsible for your particular problem. The test involves injecting an allergen directly under the skin and observing the way your body reacts to it.

Your doctor might even ask you to see an allergist. Allergists perform a series of tests in order to understand the nature of your allergy to a particular allergen. In addition, allergists can also teach you how to prevent the relapse of allergic bronchitis.

Treating mild or moderate allergic bronchitis is fairly simple. You need plenty of knowledge about the disorder, and you also need to know the particular type of allergen responsible for your problem. Once you know, it is easy to just avoid the allergens responsible for your problem. The medical treatment for this condition is anti-histamine medication.

Prevention of Allergic Bronchitis

It is easy to manage and even prevent allergic bronchitis. As mentioned previously, the easiest way is to determine the particular allergen causing your problem and just stay away from it. In addition to this, it pays to know a few things such as the following.

The summer season can aggravate this condition simply because during the summer, there are plenty of allergens in the air.

Remember to bathe your pets regularly and free their fur from any allergens. A lot of allergens are frequently found in the fur of animals.

Take special care of yourself if you are suffering from allergic bronchitis. As already said, the condition can get dangerous.

Keep some anit-histamine medication with you while travelling. You never know the type of allergens you might come across in an unfamiliar location. Having some anti-histamine with you will help you easily control any allergic reaction that might come up.

Be assured that it is possible to live a full, happy, and productive life even with allergic bronchitis. It is very important to keep yourself informed about your condition, ways of treating it, and way of preventing it. Be in touch with your allergist and your doctor. They are the best people to give you all the information you require about allergic bronchitis and to teach you how to live with the problem effectively.

Juliet Cohen asked:


Nasal polyps are the most common tumors of the nasal cavity. Nasal polyposis can impair a person’s quality of life more than perennial allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps are soft, jelly-like overgrowths of the lining of the sinuses. They look like grapes on the end of a stalk. Large polyps can bloc the nose and increase the risk of sinusitis. They may be yellowish, grey or pink in colour. They are common and are not cancerous. Nasal polyposis results from chronic inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucous membranes. Chronic inflammation causes a reactive hyperplasia of the intranasal mucosal membrane, which results in the formation of polyps.

Nasal polyps can vary significantly in size. There may be only one but sometimes several develop like a ’small bunch of grapes’ on a stem. Polyps usually affect both nostrils. Nasal polyps can vary greatly in size. There may be only one but sometimes several grow like a ’small bunch of grapes’ on a stem. The cause of the inflammation is certain conditions make nose inflammation and polyps more likely. These include: asthma, allergy to aspirin, cystic fibrosis, and some rare conditions of the nose. Nasal polyps can occur along with many other respiratory diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and aspirin allergy.

Nasal polyps also occur in a majority of people with Churg-Strauss syndrome, a rare disease that inflames the blood vessels (vasculitis). Nasal polyps occur in around 1 in 200 people. It appears that nasal polyps are more common in people with non-allergic rhinitis and non-allergic asthma, rather than allergic types of these conditions. Nasal polyps can affect anyone. However, most cases occur in people over the age of 40 years. They are four times more common in men than in women. In general, women are more likely to have nasal polyps than are men. Nasal polyps are uncommon in children.

Medications are the most common treatment for nasal polyps. Surgery may be needed to eliminate larger growths. Topical nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase and Nasonex, can help decrease the size of nasal polyps and prevent polyps from growing back after surgery. Use allergy shots in an attempt to treat or stop nasal polyps from growing back after surgery. Intranasal corticosteroid sprays reduce the growth of small intranasal polyps are most effective in the postoperative period. Prevention is better than cure. Avoid over-the-counter saline sprays that contain additives, such as benzalkonium, which can actually inflame the mucous lining of your nose.

Eric Morgan asked:

Here are some basic answers to questions you may have regarding allergen immunotherapy, also known as “allergy shots.”

Allergen immunotherapy is a treatment designed to decrease nasal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis), allergic asthma and reactions caused by insect stings. Specific allergens are identified through allergy testing, so the allergist first knows what is causing the allergy symptoms, in order to effectively treat them. After the culprit has been identified, allergen immunotherapy involves getting injections of increasing amounts of specific allergens over the course of several months.

Does Immunology Work?

Aside from decreasing allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and congestion, Immunotherapy can help prevent the development of new allergies. In children, Immunotherapy can help prevent allergic rhinitis from progressing into asthma. Even after the treatments have stopped, allergen immunotherapy often leads to long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms.

Many studies have shown that immunotherapy is effective for the treatment of nasal allergies, for both adults and children. A review of 18 published studies involving nearly 800 patients concluded that immunotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. An extensive review of immunotherapy as a treatment for allergic rhinitis in children, showed that the only treatment able to affect the natural cause of the disease is immunotherapy. Studies showing the effectiveness of immunotherapy suggest that roughly 8 out of 10 allergy patients benefit significantly from immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy may also prevent the onset of asthma, and a review of multiple studies showed that allergen immunotherapy is also an effective treatment for asthma. These studies have indicated that treatment with immunotherapy results in reduced symptoms of asthma and improved pulmonary functions, and at the same time, reduces the need for asthma medications.

For individuals with a previously demonstrated allergic susceptibility to insect stings, immunization with insect venom is an extremely effective treatment for preventing future allergic reactions. A review of nine published studies indicates that a course of immunotherapy is highly effective in the management of insect sting allergy. Immunology can be a great alternative if you have any of the following concerns:

Poor response to medications

Impractical or impossible to avoid the offending allergens

Negative medication side effects

Wanting to avoid long-term medications or reduce the cost of medications

Coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma

Possible prevention of asthma in children

Individuals with allergic asthma

If Immunotherapy Works Why Doesn’t Everyone Do It?

People who have very light symptoms or have found an effective medication that eliminates symptoms, may not need immunotherapy. For others, the time and commitment involved in starting and undergoing immunotherapy can be seen as an obstacle, especially when looking for a “quick fix”. In time however, more and more patients are realizing that the long-term benefits of immunotherapy are much better than having to be on medications for the rest of their life.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Receiving Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is recommended for those with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (involving various nasal symptoms) and conjunctivitis, or stinging insect allergy. It may be the best option for those who have difficulty controlling symptoms through avoidance or medication. Other considerations are that you do not like the side effects of allergy medication, the allergy medications are inconvenient, or having to take multiple medications in order to control symptoms. Immunotherapy is not recommended for those with food allergies. The best treatment for severe food allergies is to strictly avoid the offending food. The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors including:

Length of allergy season and how severe symptoms are.

How well medications and/or environmental controls take care of the allergy symptoms.

Wanting to avoid long-term reliance on medication.

Immunotherapy will require a significant time commitment-are you willing to make the commitment to the therapy?

Cost: may vary depending on insurance coverage.

Will Insurance Pay For Immunology?

Most insurance companies and HMOs will pay for immunotherapy, especially if your primary care doctor refers you to an allergist and the allergist recommends immunotherapy as part of your treatment. Even patients with milder symptoms may be recommended immunotherapy to avoid worsening of symptoms, particularly if they cannot always avoid the things they are allergic to, such as a family pet, bee stings, or specific native plants.

Who Is a Good Candidate for receiving immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is recommended for those with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (involving various nasal symptoms) and conjunctivitis, or stinging insect allergy. It may be the best option for those who have difficulty controlling symptoms through avoidance or medication. Other considerations are that you do not like the side effects of allergy medication, the allergy medications are inconvenient, or having to take multiple medications in order to control symptoms. Immunotherapy is not recommended for those with food allergies. The best treatment for severe food allergies is to strictly avoid the offending food. The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors including:

Length of allergy season and how severe symptoms are.

How well medications and/or environmental controls take care of the allergy symptoms.

Wanting to avoid long-term reliance on medication.

Immunotherapy will require a significant time commitment-are you willing to make the commitment to the therapy?

Cost: may vary depending on insurance coverage.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

A very small hypodermic syringe is used to inject commercial allergen extracts. The injections are usually at the site of the loose tissue over the back of the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow. This area is the least painful site for injection as there are very few nerve endings. Injections are given under the skin (”subcutaneous”). When administered correctly, the injections should only be slightly uncomfortable. They are not usually painful, and are well tolerated by adults, teenagers and most children. You may be advised to take an antihistamine a few hours before each injection to reduce the likelihood of any local allergic reaction and other side effects.

Can Young Children Receive Immunotherapy?

Children over the age of 5 may be good candidates for the therapy. Very young child will likely have difficulty cooperating with the immunotherapy regimen. However, immunotherapy can be a good option for children in general. Studies suggest that immunotherapy treatments may prevent the development of new allergies in children, and may help prevent the development of asthma in children who have rhinitis.

Is There an Age Limit to Receiving Immunotherapy?

Not really. Anyone from age 5 on up may benefit from receiving immunotherapy. With elderly persons, consideration should be given to the overall health and chronic medical conditions (such as cardiac disease), which could potentially cause problems. However most healthy children and adults can benefit from Immunotherapy treatments.

Where Does the Immunotherapy Take Place?

Ideally, immunotherapy should always be given in the prescribing allergist/immunologist’s office/clinic. If this is not possible for some extenuating circumstance, your allergist/immunologist should provide the supervising physician with all needed information about your specific treatment. Either way, you must always be in the care of an appropriate medical professional, who is qualified to administer Immunotherapy.

Adithya Adi asked:


Asthma

Bronchial asthma (from Greek, “breath” and often simplistic just asthma), and is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways with lasting history of hypersensitivity. In vulnerable individuals, the inflammation leads to paroxysmal dyspnea caused by a narrowing of the airways – a so-called bronchial obstruction (definition of the international consensus report). This airway narrowing is caused by increased secretion of mucus, spasm of the bronchial and formation of edema of the bronchial mucosa, it is reversible by treatment regress) (. A variety of stimuli cause the increase of the sensitivity of the airways (bronchial hyperreactivity or hyperresponsiveness) and the associated inflammation. Five percent of adults and seven to ten percent of children suffering from bronchial asthma.

Word origin

Asthma is a 16th-century since the German detectable borrowing from Greek, asthma, which in turn, even morphologically obscure Indo-European from a root word hma with the meaning “breathe” seems to be derived.

Causes

causes (etiology) of various shapes

They do not distinguish the allergic (extrinsic) asthma from allergic (intrinsic) asthma. In its pure form, but these occur only in about ten percent of the patients in the majority of hybrids are observed. While more common in children allergic asthma occurs between the ages piled on non-allergic form. Cigarette smoke in the parental home favors asthma. There is also evidence that cultural and civilizational factors, such as certain drugs also promote applications in early childhood asthma.

Allergic asthma

Exogenous allergic asthma is triggered when the appropriate genetic predisposition to atopy by external stimuli (allergenic substances in the environment, called allergens). These immunoglobulins are formed of type E (IgE), the effect will interact with specific allergens, the allergy-causing secretion of neurotransmitters such as histamine, leukotrienes and bradykinin from mast cells. These substances will then trigger the airway constriction. In addition to this immediate response of type I after inhalation of the allergen can occur after 6 to 12 hours for a delayed reaction, which is triggered by the type of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Often, both reactions occur.

For a polygenic inheritance system speaks the observation that children of parents who both suffer from allergic asthma, a disease risk of 60-80%. On the island of Tristan da Cunha half the population suffers from asthma due to family inheritance. Hay fever (), seasonal allergic rhinitis, which like asthma is an inflammatory condition due to allergy to the mucosa of the nasopharyngeal area is, can the lower respiratory tract and then spread to asthma (run “Exchange Floor”). Almost one quarter of these patients  developed this after more than 10 years, a pollen asthma. In addition, at the beginning usually a specific allergen at the center, over the years, however, it is often used to extend the range trigger so that the allergen avoidance for patients and more difficult or even impossible.

There are indications that rural life to protect unborn children against asthma: children of women who had contact with animals during pregnancy, grain and hay to get in later life, rare allergic respiratory and skin diseases. For some protection against these complaints is an ongoing contact with livestock or grain needed.

Non-allergic asthma

The endogenous non-allergic asthma, however, can be caused by other stimuli, infections, mostly respiratory intolerances, medications – so-called analgesics-asthma (a pseudo-reaction to pain medication, mostly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin), exposure to poisonous (toxic) or irritating substances (solvents, plasticizers, cold air, food additives, and others), special physical effort and the reflux disease (reflux) are possible causes of stomach acid that form. Some links and other causes have not yet been clarified.

According to a study room sprays and cleaning products for spraying the risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma can increase significantly.

Pathogenesis

For disease development (pathogenesis) three pathophysiologic processes are characteristic:

inflammation of the bronchi

Allergens or other stimuli trigger an inflammatory response of the bronchial mucosa. This has a central role in asthma. In addition to mast cells and their distributed messenger substances (inflammatory mediators, see above) play eosinophils and T lymphocytes have an important role.

Bronchial hyperreactivity

For most asthmatics can demonstrate nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity (general respiratory hypersensitivity to stimuli). The hyper-reactivity can often be objectified by the inhalation of irritating substances, such as ) when Methacholintest, histamine test or stress, such as Rennie (through the effort and the cooling of the bronchial tubes in the race, especially in children, or by cold provocation.

Lack of bronchial Cleaning (clearance)

The obstruction is the relocation of the lumen of the airways (reducing the available cross-section) as a result (of mucosal edema fluid in the mucous membrane), or impaired by increased mucus secretion (Hyperkrinie or Dyskrinie) and bronchospasm (constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi) . This is the self of the lung to a halt: The secretions can not drain and strengthens his injury to full relocation.

Darrin Reservitz asked:


The different types of allergies can also have varying manifestations. The most common allergy symptoms affect the nose, sinuses, eyes, air passages, ears, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. If we were to name the different types of allergies based on the manifestations they have, there would be three major groups: respiratory, skin, and anaphylaxis.

The most common respiratory types of allergies involve rhinitis and asthma. These two usually manifest reaction in the nose, sinuses, and the other respiratory organs. Allergic rhinitis, for instance, is the inflammation of the nasal cavity and may cause symptoms such as a runny nose, fits of sneezing, congestion, and a sore throat. Allergic asthma, meanwhile, makes a person experience breathing problems, such as gasping, wheezing, chest tightness, et cetera. The most common allergy relief products that address the symptoms of both rhinitis and asthma are antihistamines.

Skin allergies, on the other hand, usually manifest themselves in the form of rashes. Some of the more common skin allergies are eczema, which is an inflamed thick rash that sometimes scales off; urticaria, which is an itchy rash that can be as small as pimples or as big as irritated insect bites; and contact dermatitis, which results in swollen rashes that may even ooze fluid and is sometimes caused by exposure to poisonous plants or highly allergenic materials. Skin allergy sufferers must refrain from touching their rashes. They can treat the irritation with allergy relief products such as specific salves or ointments. These types of allergies that involve the skin may call for consultation with a professional.

The most serious of allergic reactions is anaphylaxis. Different types of allergies may trigger anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death. Shellfish, nuts, eggs, insect stings, and some drugs can bring forth anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis affects your body by causing your blood pressure to drop, triggering fainting spells, making your face swell, and hindering normal respiration. There are allergy relief products that can address anaphylaxis and their immediate use is of great import.

It will serve anyone well to arm himself with information about various types of allergies and the specific allergy relief products to treat the symptoms. Even if a person does not have allergies, it would still be beneficial for him to know what to do in case he encounters somebody who is having an allergic reaction and may need his help. Knowing about allergies can save lives.