Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Here we are again running headlong into the holiday season and, unfortunately, into cold and flu season as well. It seems in the last couple of years that the common cold has been forgotten and everything has been attributed to Covid-19, but the truth is, the cold is alive and…well. One of the worst parts of the cold is the stuffy nose followed by the faucet nose followed by the sneezy nose and so on and so on. I think the word we are looking for is RHINITIS.
Rhinitis is an incredibly common condition, affecting more than 20 million adults and more than 7 million children in the United States each year. Rhinitis means inflammation of the nose. It is characterized by symptoms resulting from inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. Rhinitis is frequently confused with sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus spaces), and most people who think they have sinusitis are really suffering from chronic rhinitis.
The most common symptoms of rhinitis include:
• Nasal congestion
• Difficulty breathing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Post-nasal drainage
• Itchy nose
• Headache
What is Rhinitis?
Rhinitis features inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes, a moist tissue that lines the nasal cavity. The purpose of this membrane is to trap dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses and other particles in a thin fluid called mucus. Tiny hairs called cilia move the particles down the throat. This keeps the air that goes into your lungs clean and free of debris. When this membrane becomes irritated, it can cause reactions such as thickened mucus, swelling, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, sneezing and headaches. While rhinitis usually isn’t serious, its symptoms can negatively impact sleep, exercise, and other daily activities. Rhinitis can be acute or chronic. Acute rhinitis is temporary, lasting a few days in most people. In others, chronic rhinitis can last weeks or months, and often recurs.
Allergic Rhinitis
Most commonly, rhinitis is caused by an allergen. An allergen is a substance that a person’s immune system recognizes as foreign or dangerous. As a result, the immune system reacts by making a type of antibody (a protein intended to neutralize the foreign substance) called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to defend against the allergen. This reaction leads to the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine. This type of rhinitis is called “allergic rhinitis”.
Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or perennial. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergen that appears at a certain time of the year, such as tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weed pollen and mold spores in the fall. Perennial allergic rhinitis can exist year-round from exposure to certain foods and medicines, pets and other animals, and dust mites in carpeting and upholstery. Southwest Florida is in a tropical climate zone. While allergens here do have seasonal variation, the growing season is 12 months long, making perennial symptoms much more common than in more northern climate zones.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis is based on the type and severity of symptoms, in addition to a person’s age, other medical conditions, daily medications, and overall health. A personalized treatment plan is required to manage allergy problems, as each individual experiences their allergy symptoms differently.
Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis is caused by something other than an allergic reaction. A diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis is made after an allergic cause is ruled out. Even if you do have allergies, non-allergic rhinitis can develop from other causes, including:
• Nasal blockages
• Bacterial infections and viruses
• Certain medications
• Certain foods and beverages, including alcohol
• Odors or irritants in the air
• Weather or temperature changes
• Aging
• Hormonal changes or pregnancy
• Inflammation or irritation in the nose unrelated to allergy
• Other health conditions
Your physician can help rule out allergic rhinitis and help determine the cause for non-allergic rhinitis. If a cause can be determined, that trigger should be avoided as much as possible, or, in the case of another medical condition like an infection, should be treated appropriately. Often, the cause of non-allergic rhinitis can’t be determined, but your physician can help you control the symptoms. While there are fewer medication options for treating non-allergic rhinitis, there are some office procedures that may help to alleviate the symptoms.
At Florida Gulf Coast Ear, Nose, and Throat, we proudly offer exceptional, compassionate service that includes a full spectrum of adult and pediatric diagnostics, therapeutic and surgical services for problems involving hearing, sinus and throat. Contact our team of highly trained, board-certified professionals by calling 239.514.2225 or by visiting our website at: floridagulfcoastent.com.
If you’d like more detailed information about allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, go to floridagulfcoastent.com to read the full article on this and other topics. The complete article can be seen there under the title “Rhinitis”.
Florida Gulf CoastEar Nose and Throat
(239) 514-2225
floridagulfcoastent.com
