ALLER GIC RHINITIS (NASAL ALLERGIES, HAY FEVER)non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. We don’t...
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ALLERGIC RHINITIS (NASAL ALLERGIES, HAY FEVER) Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is the most common allergic disorder affecting approximately 20% to 25% of the population. The most frequent symptoms are nasal congestion, itchy runny nose, itchy runny eyes, and fits of sneezing. Other frequently accompanying symptoms are headache around the eye area, drainage in the throat, fatigue, and lack of energy. There can also be intense itching of the throat and deep in the ears. The term hay fever is really a misnomer in that it is rarely due to hay, and there is no fever associated with it even though patients feel feverish as the result of the effects of histamine on the blood vessels causing them to dilate and feel warm. Allergic respiratory symptoms are a result of histamine release along with other chemicals that are either preformed or formed in allergy cells as a result of an antigen antibody interaction. The job of the allergist is to determine whether the above symptoms are due to allergies or not. Allergic rhinitis is typically classified as seasonal (intermittent) or perennial (persistent), or both. Frequent triggers of true hay fever symptoms include the pollens from grass, tree, and weeds, house dust mite, mold spores, and animal danders. If the above described symptoms are triggered by cleaning one’s home, playing with pets, mowing the grass, etc., then there is high likelihood that symptoms are due to allergies. If your doctor cannot make a correlation of your symptoms with the above triggers, then you need to start thinking outside the allergy box. The correct diagnostic term for nasal symptoms not due to allergies is non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. We don’t understand the mechanism of this condition totally. As the name applies, it is not on an allergic basis, that is to say an antigen antibody interaction. Triggers of non-allergic rhinitis include irritants such as tobacco smoke, chemical odors, cold air, strong perfumes, etc. Other conditions to consider in people with symptoms of a stuffy nose are hypothyroidism (low thyroid), nasal polyps, tumors (cancer), foreign bodies, infection, and deviated nasal septum. There is also another condition that goes by the acronym N.A.R.E.S. which stands for non- allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia. This means that a person can have all of the symptoms of allergies but are skin test negative, and yet paradoxically have an abundance of allergy cells called eosinophils in their nasal mucus. This condition responds nicely to intranasal steroid sprays. The nose is the center of the universe to an allergist. If a person does not describe classic nasal symptoms, and for instance only complains that ears or eyes bother them, then the likelihood of symptoms being due to allergies is lessened. OAAC 514, Rev. 12-16 (405) 235-0040 www.oklahomaallergy.com CENTRAL OFFICE: 750 N.E. 13th 3rd Floor (2 Blocks East of Lincoln Blvd.) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104-5051 NORTHWEST OFFICE: Meridian Medical Tower 13321 N. Meridian, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma NORMAN OFFICE: 3580 R.C. Luttrell Dr. Norman, Oklahoma EDMOND OFFICE: Fisher Hall 3560 S. Boulevard, Suite 150 Edmond, Oklahoma MIDWEST CITY OFFICE: MD Medical Tower 8121 National Ave. Midwest City, Oklahoma THE LEADER IN ALLERGY TREATMENT SINCE 1925 Warren V. Filley, MD* Patricia I. Overhulser, MD* Dean A. Atkinson, MD* Richard T. Hatch, MD* Shahan A. Stutes, MD* Gregory M. Metz, MD* Laura K. Chong, MD* Florina Neagu, MD* Bret R. Haymore, MD* Karen L. Gregory, DNP, CNS Stefanie E. Rollins, APRN-CNP SENIOR CONSULTANTS Robert S. Ellis, MD* Charles D. Haunschild, MD* James H. Wells, MD* John R. Bozalis, MD* * Diplomate American Board Allergy and Immunology Scott Dennis Chief Operating Officer Member Institution of
Transcript of ALLER GIC RHINITIS (NASAL ALLERGIES, HAY FEVER)non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. We don’t...
ALLERGIC RHINITIS(NASAL ALLERGIES, HAY FEVER)
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is the most common allergicdisorder affecting approximately 20% to 25% of the population. The mostfrequent symptoms are nasal congestion, itchy runny nose, itchy runnyeyes, and fits of sneezing. Other frequently accompanying symptoms areheadache around the eye area, drainage in the throat, fatigue, and lackof energy. There can also be intense itching of the throat and deep in theears. The term hay fever is really a misnomer in that it is rarely due to hay,and there is no fever associated with it even though patients feel feverishas the result of the effects of histamine on the blood vessels causingthem to dilate and feel warm.
Allergic respiratory symptoms are a result of histamine release alongwith other chemicals that are either preformed or formed in allergy cellsas a result of an antigen antibody interaction.
The job of the allergist is to determine whether the above symptoms aredue to allergies or not. Allergic rhinitis is typically classified as seasonal(intermittent) or perennial (persistent), or both. Frequent triggers of truehay fever symptoms include the pollens from grass, tree, and weeds,house dust mite, mold spores, and animal danders. If the abovedescribed symptoms are triggered by cleaning one’s home, playing withpets, mowing the grass, etc., then there is high likelihood that symptomsare due to allergies. If your doctor cannot make a correlation of yoursymptoms with the above triggers, then you need to start thinking outsidethe allergy box.
The correct diagnostic term for nasal symptoms not due to allergies isnon-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. We don’t understand the mechanism ofthis condition totally. As the name applies, it is not on an allergic basis,that is to say an antigen antibody interaction. Triggers of non-allergicrhinitis include irritants such as tobacco smoke, chemical odors, cold air,strong perfumes, etc.
Other conditions to consider in people with symptoms of a stuffy noseare hypothyroidism (low thyroid), nasal polyps, tumors (cancer), foreignbodies, infection, and deviated nasal septum. There is also anothercondition that goes by the acronym N.A.R.E.S. which stands for non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia. This means that a person can have all ofthe symptoms of allergies but are skin test negative, and yet paradoxicallyhave an abundance of allergy cells called eosinophils in their nasalmucus. This condition responds nicely to intranasal steroid sprays.
The nose is the center of the universe to an allergist. If a person doesnot describe classic nasal symptoms, and for instance only complainsthat ears or eyes bother them, then the likelihood of symptoms being dueto allergies is lessened.
OAAC 514, Rev. 12-16
(405) 235-0040www.oklahomaallergy.com
CENTRAL OFFICE:750 N.E. 13th3rd Floor
(2 Blocks East of Lincoln Blvd.)Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104-5051
NORTHWEST OFFICE:Meridian Medical Tower
13321 N. Meridian, Suite 100Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
NORMAN OFFICE:3580 R.C. Luttrell Dr.Norman, Oklahoma
EDMOND OFFICE:Fisher Hall
3560 S. Boulevard, Suite 150Edmond, Oklahoma
MIDWEST CITY OFFICE:MD Medical Tower8121 National Ave.
Midwest City, Oklahoma
THE LEADER IN ALLERGYTREATMENT SINCE 1925
Warren V. Fil ley, MD*Patricia I. Overhulser, MD*Dean A. Atkinson, MD*Richard T. Hatch, MD*Shahan A. Stutes, MD*Gregory M. Metz, MD*Laura K. Chong, MD*Florina Neagu, MD*Bret R. Haymore, MD*
Karen L. Gregory, DNP, CNSStefanie E. Rollins, APRN-CNP
SENIOR CONSULTANTSRobert S. Ell is, MD*
Charles D. Haunschild, MD*James H. Wells, MD*John R. Bozalis, MD*
* Diplomate American BoardAllergy and Immunology
Scott Dennis Chief Operating Officer
Member Institution of
