(PDF) PP119 Identification of immunoreactive proteins derived from different strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus; Abstracts from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting 2016
MAYO CLINIC: Understanding Hay Fever
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Your Guide To Sinusitis And Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory lung condition. Sinusitis causes pressure in sinus cavities but does not directly cause asthma. Read on to find out more about the link between the two conditions.
Rhinosinusitis ("sinusitis"), which causes pain, pressure, and congestion in the sinus cavities, is commonly associated with asthma. However, while it's possible to experience both inflammatory conditions at once, it's not clear whether one causes the other.
Keep reading to learn more about the link between sinusitis and asthma, including symptoms and treatment options you can discuss further with a doctor.
Sinusitis doesn't directly cause asthma. However, there is a possibility that sinusitis can worsen the symptoms of this lung disease.
In fact, if you have either asthma or allergic rhinitis, you may be at a higher risk of developing chronic sinusitis. Both conditions cause inflammation that can impact the airways and sinuses.
Allergies and allergic rhinitis can also lead to swelling in your sinuses, thereby causing congestion because the sinuses cannot drain as they should.
While sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are common comorbidities with asthma, current research is inconclusive on what the exact connection is.
Another consideration is allergic asthma and its role in both sinusitis and asthma symptoms. Allergic asthma refers to asthma symptoms and attacks that may develop as a result of allergies. Common allergens involved in allergic asthma include dust, pollen, and animal dander.
Your sinuses consist of cavities that go behind the cheekbones, between the eyes, and behind the forehead. They help filter the air inside your nasal cavity while also keeping it warm and moist. Sinusitis causes your sinuses to become infected, which can cause a variety of symptoms.
If you have three or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year, you may have recurrent sinusitis.
Sinusitis and asthma-like symptoms
While sinusitis and asthma are both inflammatory conditions, the related inflammation involves different parts of the body. Sinusitis involves inflammation of the sinuses, while asthma involves inflammation of the airways.
However, it's possible to experience a cough with both sinusitis and asthma. Postnasal drip from the sinus cavities can cause coughing, while mucus buildup in the airways may lead to coughing in asthma. Postnasal drip can also trigger asthma symptoms.
You may also experience similarities in symptoms if you have allergic asthma. Both can cause nasal congestion, while also keeping your nose blocked at night when you're trying to sleep.
Sinusitis itself doesn't cause shortness of breath as asthma can. However, a sinus infection can lead to postnasal drip, which may make certain asthma symptoms worse. These symptoms include coughing (especially at night), wheezing, and other breathing difficulties.
Treating both sinusitis and asthma may involve a combination of the following types of medications:
In the case of acute sinusitis, antibiotics may be required if it's caused by a bacterial infection.
The best decongestants for asthmatics
Decongestants work by reducing nasal congestion which can lead to stuffiness, pain, and infections. These are often used to help treat acute illnesses, such as colds, but may also be used as long-term treatments for sinusitis and allergies.
If you have sinusitis and allergic asthma, a doctor may recommend starting with an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant first. A prescription formula may be recommended if your symptoms aren't getting better with an OTC decongestant.
Oral decongestants typically contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine that work by reducing blood vessel swelling in your nasal passages.
Decongestants may also come in the form of nasal sprays that contain oxymetazoline. However, you shouldn't use these for more than 3 days at a time, as these are associated with rebound congestion.
If you're currently taking any other medication for allergies, asthma, or another condition, it's important to talk with a doctor before trying decongestants as these may interact with each other. Also ask your doctor before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure, as there could be complications.
Sinusitis occurs as a result of inflammation in the sinuses, while asthma involves inflammation in your airways. However, having asthma may increase your risk of developing chronic sinusitis — especially if you have allergic rhinitis.
While the exact connections aren't clear, there are treatment options available for both sinusitis and asthma — with the goal to help reduce nasal congestion and related symptoms that can also help decrease breathing issues.
Talk with a doctor if you're experiencing symptoms of sinusitis, such as ongoing nasal congestion and pain. It's important to address recurring and chronic sinusitis, even if you already take medications for asthma.
Dry, Crusty Nose? It Could Be Atrophic Rhinitis
Many people notice their nose feels dry and clogged with crusty lumps, especially after being in dusty or dry places, but few realize this could signal something more serious. What they don't know is that the lining of the nose can actually thin out over time, leading to a condition called atrophic rhinitis.
"Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic inflammation of the nose, leading to a progressive loss of the nasal mucosa and turbinate bones," explains Joseph Kioko, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinician. This thinning not only causes crusting but can also result in dryness, irritation and a bad smell.
The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that causes range from infections to environmental factors, and without treatment, the discomfort can worsen over time.
Atrophic rhinitis is more common in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia, where environmental and socioeconomic factors may increase the risk. Kioko explains, "The condition tends to affect females more than males, and its prevalence increases with age."
Globally, studies estimate it affects 0.3-1 per cent of the population in some regions. While data in Kenya is limited, the condition is likely under-reported, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is a challenge.
The exact cause of atrophic rhinitis is not always known (idiopathic), but several factors may play a role in its development.
Kioko explains, "Theories suggest hereditary factors, hormonal changes starting at puberty that tend to affect females more and even racial differences, with white races being more affected than natives of equatorial Africa."
A lack of important nutrients, like vitamins A, D or iron, may also contribute to the development of atrophic rhinitis. Additionally, infections and autoimmune processes have been linked to the condition.
According to the WHO, environmental and socioeconomic factors can exacerbate these causes, particularly in developing regions.
Symptoms
Atrophic rhinitis presents with various signs and symptoms that can impact daily life. Common symptoms include nasal obstruction, foul-smelling nasal discharge and nosebleeds (epistaxis).
Kioko notes that patients may also experience crusts in the nasal cavity, a roomy nasal cavity and pale nasal mucosa.
Additionally, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery reports that individuals with atrophic rhinitis may suffer from loss of smell, frequent upper respiratory infections, sore throat, watery eyes and headaches. In tropical regions, some cases have even involved maggots living inside the nose due to the strong odour attracting flies.
Atrophic rhinitis is divided into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary atrophic rhinitis, which has no clear cause, is the more common type. Secondary atrophic rhinitis, on the other hand, results from factors like nasal surgeries, granulomatous diseases, malignancy or radiation exposure. This type is more frequently observed in industrialized nations. The primary form remains the most common globally, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare.
Prevention of atrophic rhinitis involves maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring the early and correct management of nasal infections. "A balanced diet is essential for overall health, and managing nasal infections correctly can prevent further complications," Kioko advises. It's also important to avoid environmental factors that could irritate the nasal lining.
Symptoms
Kioko recommends seeking medical advice if symptoms like nasal obstruction or foul-smelling discharge appear, as atrophic rhinitis may require either medical or surgical intervention. "It's crucial to seek professional treatment, as improper self-treatment can lead to complications and more severe suffering," he warns.
Although home remedies may seem tempting, Kioko cautions that self-treatment can be risky, as other conditions may appear similar to atrophic rhinitis.
Atrophic rhinitis can lead to several complications if not properly managed. Kioko notes that these include "saddle nose deformity (a loss of the shape of the nose), septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum), secondary rhinosinusitis (infection of the sinuses) and systemic spread to areas such as the pharynx and larynx."
The WHO highlights that "older age, poor nutrition resulting in iron or vitamin deficiency and insufficient hydration" are major risk factors for developing atrophic rhinitis. Additionally, Kioko points out that "medical conditions including Sjogren's syndrome and autoimmune diseases" can increase the risk.
Understanding the causes, symptoms and risk factors helps in managing and preventing atrophic rhinitis effectively.
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