Rhinitis

Question 1

what is seasonal rhinitis

Answer 1

hayfever

Question 2

what is perennial rhinitis

Answer 2

symptoms throughout full year, sinusitis occurs in about 50% of cases due to mucosal swelling

Question 3

what is perennial allergic rhinitis

Answer 3

allergy to faecal particles of dust mite - more sensitive to cigarette smoke, washing powders, perfumes etc

Question 4

what is vasomotor rhinitis

Answer 4

perennial rhinitis with no allergy or nasal eosinophilia

Question 5

what are nasal polyps

Answer 5

round smooth soft pale or yellow structures attached to sinus mucosa - occurs in patients with allergic and vasomotor rhinitis

Question 6

what causes it

Answer 6

mucus - parasympathetic stimulation
allergic rhinitis results due to interaction between inhaled allergen and IgE present on their mast cells (found in increased numbers in nasal secretion)

Question 7

how is it diagnosed

Answer 7

history of allergic factors

skin prick test indicates mechanism leading to allergic rhinitis

Question 8

how is it treated

Answer 8

H1 receptor antagonists (eg loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, cyclizine, cinnarizine)
Decongestants (a adrenergic agents)
Corticosteroids (beclomethasone or fluticasone propionate - polyps)
Leukotriene antagonists (montelukast, zarfirlukast - esp history of NSAID or asthma)
Anti-allergic (sodium cromoglicate)