Are You Sure You Have Allergies?
By Jason Pelletier on April 10, 2012, 1:13pm
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Sneezing, runny nose, sinus congestion, and that oh so dreaded postnasal drip. Sounds like allergies right? Well that just might not be the case. This year’s warmer than normal temperatures have kicked spring allergy season into full gear. Many people are flocking to the local pharmacy to stock up on allergy medicine and some people may just find out that these remedies just aren’t working. For those that end up visiting an allergist to find a solution, they may be in for a shock when they discover that they have no allergies at all. Instead they may have a condition called Non-Allergic Rhinitis.
People who suffer from non-allergic rhinitis suffer many of the same symptoms as those with seasonal allergies. Over the counter remedies have little to no effect on these symptoms and is undetectable to allergy tests. A diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis is made after an allergy is ruled out. This may require allergy skin or blood tests. About 58 million Americans have allergic rhinitis. By comparison, 19 million have non-allergic rhinitis.
Non-allergic rhinitis is a medical condition of unknown cause, leading to symptoms very similar to allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. Approximately half of people suffering from allergies also have a non-allergic component to their symptoms. Unlike allergies, which can be a seasonal problem, symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are typically year-round. Non-allergic rhinitis also tends to be more common in people over the age of 20.
Triggers of non-allergic rhinitis symptoms vary from person to person and can include certain odors or irritants in the air, changes in the weather, some medications, certain foods, and chronic health conditions. Forms of non-allergic rhinitis are as follows:
Infectious rhinitis - also known as viral rhinitis. This is caused by an infection, e.g. the common cold or flu.
Vasomotor rhinitis - the blood vessels in the nose are too sensitive, leading to inflammation. There is abnormal nerve (neuronal) control of the blood vessels in the nose, resulting in inflammation.
Atrophic rhinitis - the membranes inside the nose become thinner and harder, causing the nasal passages to widen and become drier. Crusts form inside the nose, some of them foul smelling. The patient can lose his/her sense of smell. This type of rhinitis may be a complication of nose surgery or an infection.
Other causes - some people may develop non-allergic rhinitis after taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers, aspirin or the overuse of nasal decongestants (rhinitis medicamentosa). Sometimes pregnancy, puberty or an over-active thyroid gland can cause rhinitis (due to a hormonal imbalance). Eating spicy foods can cause rhinitis in some people (this is not allergic rhinitis because it is not caused by an immune system response).
Depending on the type of non-allergic rhinitis there are many different types of treatments that can be administered including nasal decongestants, nasal irrigations, and antibiotics. Be sure to consult your primary care physician or allergist before attempting any treatments on your own that you may read on here or elsewhere on the Internet to ensure you are taking the proper steps in alleviating your symptoms.
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