Stuffy nose Flashcards
What type of sensitivity causes a stuffy nose?
IgE mediated type 1 hypersensitivity
What does a mast cell release?
Histamine
Leukotrienes
Give an example of a decongestant?
Pseudoephedrine
Give an example of an anticholinergic?
Ipratropium
Give an example of an anti-histamine?
Cetirizine
What are the symptoms of a stuffy nose?
Blockage
Loss of smell
Discharge
Facial pain
What are 4 other nasal symptoms?
Sneezing
Itch
Crusting
Epistaxis
What are secondary nasal symptoms?
Dry mouth Sore throat Snoring Halitosis Loss of taste
What should you do in a nasal examination?
Check patency of airway
External nose
Rhinoscopy
What is rhinitis?
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
What can bring on allergic rhinitis?
Grass/tree pollen
fungal spores
House dust mite
Cats/dogs
How do you treat nasal polyps?
Oral then topical steroids
What are nasal polys often associated with?
Non-allergic asthma
What symptoms are there with acute infective rhinosinusitis?
facial pain
Discharge
nasal blockage
How do you treat acute infective rhinosinusitis?
Analgesics and decongestants
Antibiotics if persistent
What is intermittent infective rhinitis?
Hayfever
What is in the upper third of the nasal pyramid?
Bony vault
What is in the middle third of the nasal pyramid?
cartilage vault
What is in the lower third of the nasal pyramid?
Cartilage vault
What might unilateral discharge be a sign of in children?
Foreign body - refer urgently
What might unilateral discharge in an adult be a sign of?
Nasal or paranasal tumour - refer urgently
What is a potential complication of sinusitis?
Orbital cellulitis - emergency referal
