Rhinitis Flashcards
What is rhinitis?
Acute or chronic inflammation of nasal mucosa
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Sneezing Rhinorrhea Itching Nasal congestion Obstruction Difficulty breathing in
What causes obstruction in rhinitis?
Swelling of nasal mucosa (particularly in cavernous sinusoids) largely due to dilated blood vessels
What are the three types of rhinitis?
Allergic
Non-allergic
Mixed
Outline the immunology of allergic rhinitis on FIRST exposure
Inhale allergen
Increase (specific) IgE levels
IgE binds to receptors on mast cells and basophils
Outline the immunology of allergic rhinitis on SECOND exposure
Re-exposure
Mast cell and basophils degranualte
Release mediators (histamine, cyst Its, tryptase, prostaglandins)
Cause acute and delayed symptoms
What are the acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Itching
Sneezing
Rhinorrhoea
What are the delayed symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Congestion and obstruction
What causes the delayed symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Lymphocyte and eosinophil recruitment to nasal mucosa
What re causes of non-allergic rhinitis?
Infectious (mainly viral) Hormonal (pregnancy) Vasomotor disturbances Eosinophilia syndrome Medication Occupational (may be mixed)
What are the pharmacological agents used in Rhinitis?
Glucocosteroids Anti-histamines Anti-cholinergic drugs Sodium cromoglicate CysLT Receptor Antagonist Vasoconstrictors
What are examples of glucocosteroids?
Beclometasone
Fluticasone
Prednisolone (oral)
What is the effect of glucocosteroids?
Reduce vascular permeability, recruitment and activity of inflammatory cells and release of cytokines and mediators
What is the most common route of administration for glucocosteroids?
Spray to mucosa (usually OD)
Glucocosteroids are effective as a mono therapy but may be combined with _______ in moderate-severe rhinitis
Anti-histamines
What are the antihistamines used in rhinitis?
Competitive antagonists of H1 receptors
What is the effect of antihistamines?
Reduce mast cell derived histamine effects
Antihistamines are more effective in?
Allergic rhinitis