Stuffy Nose Flashcards
how does histamine affect the nose
vasodilates, irritates nerve endings, causes rhinorrhoea
what is ipratropium
anticholingeric
what can cause nasal crusting
lots of things inc inflammatory conditions and vasculitis
what is halitosis
bad breath
mouth gets dry, bacterial overgrowth
what are you looking for in the external nose
swellings, deviations
what are the types of rhinitis
infection (viral URTI) non infective (allergic, non allergic)
where can be itchy in allergic rhinitis
nose, eyes, soft palate
what can mouth breathing be a sign of
blocked nose, adenoids
what causes intermittent and persisitent allergic rhinitis
intermittent (<4 weeks/ <4 days per week)= seasonal (pollen, fungal spores in a/w)
persistent (>4 weeks/ >4 days per week)= house dust mite, cat, dog
what is moderate allergic rhinitis
normal sleep
no impact on life or troubling symptoms
what is moderate-severe allergic rhinitis
abnormal sleep, impaired life, troublesome symptoms
what will the lining of the nose be like in allergic rhinitis
swollen- can appear pink/blue
inflamed and hypertrophied
what is the management for allergic rhinitis
allergen avoidance
antihistamines
topical steroids
topcial steroids + antihistamines
immunotherapy
surgery for obstructinon
what conditions is often associated with nasal polyps
non allergic asthma
how do you treat nasal polyps
oral steroids
topical steroids
surgery
how can you differentiate nasal polyps from conchae
nasal polyps have no sensation
what are the symptoms of acute infective rhinosinusitis
facial pain, discharge, nasal blockage
what usually causes acute infective rhinosinusitis
viral
is an infection of the paranasal sinuses
what is the treatment for acute infective rhinosinusitis
analgesics, decongestants
if persisting add antibiotics
what are the complications of rhinosinusitis
infection spread into orbit, swelling can put pressure on optic nerve, cause blindness
infection spread into cavernous sinus can thrombose an be fatal
what are the types of allergic rhinitis
intermittent and persistent
what are the types of non allergic rhinitis
vasomotor rhinitis (parasympathetic problem) polyps
what is rhinosinusitis
infection of the paranasal sinuses
what investigations in rhinitis should you not do
nasal/ sinus X-rays
what is the management for non infective rhinitis
allergen/ irritant avoidance
change drug therapy
decrease alcohol
topical nasal steroid
antihistamine
topical anticholingeric
what is the management for infective rhinosinusitis
nasal decongestant, analgesia
?broad spectrum antibiotic
what is the worry is a nasal trauma
a septal haematoma - can cause cartilage and nose to later collapse
when should a septal haematoma be evacuated
same/ next day
what are the less common causes of a stuffy nose
swollen adenoids
forgein body
mucocele (obstruction of drainage from optic sinus)
tumour in the maxillary sinus
what are the signs of a foreign body in the nose
smelly nose that keeps getting blocked
what are the signs of a maxillary tumour
can cause teeth to fall out, pain, swelling, stuffy nose
what is the management for a child with a foreign body in their nose
refer immediately
what is the management for a nasal or paranasal tumour
refer immediately
what is a complication of acute sinusitis
orbital cellulitis
what is the management for orbital cellulitis
emergency referral (risk of blindness)
