2. Definition Rhinitis is defined as inflammation of nasal mucosal lining characterized by one Or more of the following symptoms: 1. Nasal congestion 2. Rhinorrhoea 3. Sneezing 4. Itching
3. Rhinosinusitis Anatomically the lining mucosa is contiguous With that of paranasal sinuses. It goes without Saying that if one is involved the other is also Involved. Hence instead of using the term Rhinitis it would be apt to use the term “ Rhinosinusitis”.
6. Allergic rhinitis 1. Very common 2. Incidence seems to be increasing 3. Frequently accompanied by asthma 4. Other co existing conditions include: conjunctivitis Sinusitis and otitis media.
7. Symptoms 1. Repeated attacks of sneezing 2. Itiching in the nose 3. Rhinorrhoea 4. Itching of eyes 5. Headache due to congestion of paranasal sinuses 6. These symptoms tend to reduce with age
9. Seasonal rhinitis 1. Also known as intermittent rhinitis 2. It usually lasts less than 4 days a week 3. The whole disorder lasts for about a month 4. Usually caused due to exposure to seasonal Allergens like pollen 5. Common during spring when flowers bloom
10. Perennial rhinitis 1. Also known as persistent rhinitis 2. Symptoms last for more than 4 days a week 3. Whole disorder lasts for more than a month 4. This is due to continuous exposure to allergen eg. House dust mite
11. Mild allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is considered to be mild if the symptoms Does'nt cause: Sleep disturbance Impairment of daily activity Impairment of work Troublesome symptoms
12. Moderate allergic rhinitis This includes one or more of the following: Sleep disturbance Impairment of daily activity Impairment of work Troublesome symptoms
13. WHO classification of allergic rhinitis WHO has advised abandoning of the terms seasonal and Perennial rhinitis in favour of intermittent and persistent Allergic rhinitis.
14. Why this advise? 1. Pollens and moulds which cause seasonal rhinitis are Perennially present in some areas 2. Symptoms of perennial allergy need not be present Throughout the year 3. Perennial symptoms may present with seasonal exacerbations
15. Allergic rhinitis pathophysiology The reaction occurs in 4 phases 1. Sensitization 2. Subsequent reaction to allergen – early phase 3. Late phase reaction 4. Systemic activation
16. Sensitization Grass pollen / House dust mite / cat dander Harmless in non atopics In atopics gets attached to antigen presenting cells Present in the nasal mucosa These activated APC's stimulate hypersensitivity Mast cells are responsible for sensitization
17. Early phase of allergic rhinitis Histamine is responsible Rhinitis Sneezing Prurutis Mast cell degranulation plays a role Prostaglandin D2 / cytokines may play a role
18. Late phase response This phase is inflammatory in nature Ingress of eosinophils / basophils / mast cells / T lymphocytes / neutrophils / macrophages Eosinophils mature and reside in the nasal mucosa For more than a week Symptoms – Nasal block / hyper reactivity
20. Occupational rhinitis 1. Can also be considered as one form of allergic Rhinitis 2. Allergy could be due to exposure to mice / guinea Pig hair in lab 3. Exposure to platinum salts could sensitize a patient