rhinitis
Table of Contents
rhinitis
introduction
- viral rhinitis (eg. Common Cold virus) and allergic rhinitis are very common causes of rhinitis
- autonomic stimuli have a greater effect on patients with nonallergic rhinitis than on those with allergic rhinitis
- autonomic imbalance favoring the parasympathetic system increases nasal blood flow, edema, and secretions, creating an overall presentation of rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction
types of rhinitis
allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- ~20% of people suffer from hay fever
- apparently, highest rates of hay fever in Australia in descending order are:
- Canberra, Tasmania, WA, SA, Vic (especially Melbourne with its plane trees), NSW, Qld and lowest is NT
- over 95% of cases of thunderstorm asthma are in people who have hay fever and may not have had a history of asthma
- if you have hay fever, especially if you have asthma as well, strongly consider starting inhaled steroids for asthma prevention in September (in southern parts of Australia - as thunderstorm asthma most likely in Nov and you need 6-8 weeks for inhaled steroids to kick in)
- see also:
- Dymista is a new topical nasal spray containing corticosteroid and an antihistamine
- requires prescription in Australia and is expensive at around $50
- possible natural preventives:
- daily pineapple in diet - contains bromelain
- apples and onions - contain quercetin, an anti-oxidant
- vitamin C containing foods
NARES
- non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)
- “perennial intrinsic rhinitis”
- some researchers believe that this condition may be a precursor to the aspirin triad of intrinsic asthma, nasal polyposis, and aspirin intolerance
- a distinguishing feature of NARES is the presence of eosinophils, usually 10-20% on nasal smears
viral rhinitis
- eg. the common cold (rhinovirus), coronavirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, or enterovirus
- viral infections are generally self-limited and resolve within 7-10 days
vasomotor rhinitis
- excessive use of nasal vasoconstrictors
occupational rhinitis
- symptoms are usually due to an inhaled irritant (eg, metal salts, animal dander, latex, wood dusts, chemicals).
hormonal rhinitis
- the most common hormonal causes of rhinitis are pregnancy, menstruation, puberty, use of exogenous estrogen, and known or occult hypothyroidism.
drug-induced rhinitis / nasal stuffiness
- ethanol (alcohol and alcohol withdrawal), especially in those who have alcohol intolerance and impaired ability to metabolise ethanol
gustatory rhinitis
- occurs after eating, particularly hot and spicy foods
rhinitis.txt · Last modified: 2023/11/12 21:43 by gary1