Allergic_Rhinitis_Flashcards (1)

Question 1

What is allergic rhinitis?

Answer 1

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disorder of the nose where the nose becomes sensitized to allergens such as house dust mites and grass, tree, and weed pollens.

Question 2

What are the classifications of allergic rhinitis?

Answer 2

The classifications of allergic rhinitis include seasonal, perennial, and occupational.

Question 3

What is seasonal allergic rhinitis also known as?

Answer 3

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, which occurs secondary to pollens, is known as hay fever.

Question 4

What are the common features of allergic rhinitis?

Answer 4

Common features of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, bilateral nasal obstruction, clear nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, and nasal pruritus.

Question 5

What is the first step in managing allergic rhinitis?

Answer 5

The first step in managing allergic rhinitis is allergen avoidance.

Question 6

What is the recommended management for mild-to-moderate intermittent, or mild persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis?

Answer 6

For mild-to-moderate intermittent, or mild persistent symptoms, oral or intranasal antihistamines are recommended.

Question 7

What is the recommended management for moderate-to-severe persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or if initial drug treatment is ineffective?

Answer 7

For moderate-to-severe persistent symptoms, or if initial drug treatment is ineffective, intranasal corticosteroids are recommended.

Question 8

When might a short course of oral corticosteroids be needed in allergic rhinitis?

Answer 8

A short course of oral corticosteroids may be needed to cover important life events.

Question 9

What is the role of topical nasal decongestants in allergic rhinitis?

Answer 9

There may be a role for short courses of topical nasal decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline).

Question 10

Why should topical nasal decongestants not be used for prolonged periods?

Answer 10

Topical nasal decongestants should not be used for prolonged periods as increasing doses are required to achieve the same effect (tachyphylaxis) and rebound hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis medicamentosa) may occur upon withdrawal.

Question 11

summarise Allergic rhinitis

Answer 11

Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disorder of the nose where the nose become sensitized to allergens such as house dust mites and grass, tree and weed pollens. It may be classified as follows, although the clinical usefulness of such classifications remains doubtful:
seasonal: symptoms occur around the same time every year. Seasonal rhinitis which occurs secondary to pollens is known as hay fever
perennial: symptoms occur throughout the year
occupational: symptoms follow exposure to particular allergens within the work place

Features
sneezing
bilateral nasal obstruction
clear nasal discharge
post-nasal drip
nasal pruritus

Management of allergic rhinitis
allergen avoidance
if the person has mild-to-moderate intermittent, or mild persistent symptoms:
oral or intranasal antihistamines
if the person has moderate-to-severe persistent symptoms, or initial drug treatment is ineffective
intranasal corticosteroids
a short course of oral corticosteroids are occasionally needed to cover important life events
there may be a role for short courses of topical nasal decongestants (e.g. oxymetazoline). They should not be used for prolonged periods as increasing doses are required to achieve the same effect (tachyphylaxis) and rebound hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis medicamentosa) may occur upon withdrawal