what is allergic rhinitis(resdung)
Allergic Rhinitis
he American Allergy Physicians Association defines an allergy as "an over-reaction of the immune system, which causes harmful chronic inflammation." Ishizaka discovered IgE antibodies in 1967, and the immune mechanism involved in allergic reactions eventually became a relatively well-understood part of immunology. Allergic rhinitis is a type I allergic reaction, and so-called "atopic syndrome" refers mainly to allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic eczema. Atopic syndrome has the following characteristics:
(1) A tendency to get it inherited.
(2) It occurs in peripheral organs that react to inflammatory chemicals.
(3) Sensitized mediator cells are present (such as adipose cells and blood basophils).
(4) Some (-adrenalin receptors are blocked.
(5) The cholinergic reaction is strengthened in parasympathetic nerves.
(6) Several allergic disorders may occur in the same individual.
(7) A single individual may have a two-phase reaction (immediate and delayed).
(8) Total output of IgE antibodies rises and antigen specificity can be determined by skin tests, induction tests, and serum antigen specific IgE antibody tests.
(9) Symptoms usually occur at an early age (1 to 20 years old).
When antigens enter the nasal cavity and mediator cells that have produced specific IgE antibodies due to stimulation by the same antigen have bound to the nasal mucosa, the IgE antibodies will change at transmission cell receptors (Fc receptors), activating phospholipidase in the cell membrane and causing phospholipids in the cell membrane to become unstable. Calcium ions in the tissue fluid are then able to enter cells and generate energy by decomposing ATP. This causes special granules in the intracellular medium to be sent to the cell membrane, where they fuse and give rise to the phenomenon of degranulization. Chemical mediators such as histamine, already manufactured and stored in the granules, are then released. Phospholipids in the cell membrane undergo a transformation at this time due to enzymatic effects, producing mediators such as prostaglandin and leukotriene. These mediators directly induce allergic symptoms, such as swelling of the mucous membranes caused by dilation of the capillaries, edema caused by seepage of blood plasma into mucous membrane tissue, sneezing caused by stimulation of sensory nerves in mucous membranes, coughing, increased secretion of mucus from glands in the mucous membranes, and a runny nose.
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
Heredity: Half of all allergic rhinitis patients have a family history of allergies.
Allergens: Household dust, dust mites, pollen, air pollution, animal dander or feathers, pesticides, microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and mold, and animal allergens such as cow's milk, milk products, eggs, and shellfish.
Climate: Change of the seasons, sudden chills, large daily temperature differences.
Endocrinological disorders: Women may suffer allergic reactions at the time of menopause or ovarian disorder.
Psychological factors: Stress and other psychological factors may trigger allergic disorders.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Long-term flow of colorless water-like mucus from the nose, nasal congestion, sneezing (the patient may sneeze five or six times in a row, or as many as several dozen times, when getting out of bed in the morning), and itchiness of the nose. Possible associated symptoms include itchiness of the eyes, red eyes, tears, itchiness of the skin, and impaired sense of smell.
Method of Treating Allergic Rhinitis
Drug therapy: Allergic rhinitis may be treated with antihistamines, adrenalinoid drugs, anti-cholinergic drugs, calcium ion blockers, steroids, and adipose cell stabilizers.
Surgery: Allergic rhinitis may be relieved by straightening curvature of the nasal septum, cauterization of the nasal mucosa, cutting of nerves, and cauterization of the nasal turbinates.
Allergy therapy: A variety of allergy tests can be used to determine specific antigens, which may then be progressively injected into the body so that they can be recognized by the immune system.
Regardless of what method of treatment is used, the most basic approach to relieving allergic rhinitis is to strengthen the body's immunity.
Reference: Liu Chia-ming; 1993; Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis; Continuing Medical Education, 2: 507-513; the mechanism of nasal allergies (Liu, 1993).
When antigens enter the nasal cavity and mediator cells that have produced specific IgE antibodies due to stimulation by the same antigen have bound to the nasal mucosa, the IgE antibodies will change at transmission cell receptors (Fc receptors), activating phospholipidase in the cell membrane and causing phospholipids in the cell membrane to become unstable. Calcium ions in the tissue fluid are then able to enter cells and generate energy by decomposing ATP. This causes special granules in the intracellular medium to be sent to the cell membrane, where they fuse and give rise to the phenomenon of degranulization. Chemical mediators such as histamine, already manufactured and stored in the granules, are then released. Phospholipids in the cell membrane undergo a transformation at this time due to enzymatic effects, producing mediators such as prostaglandin and leukotriene. These mediators directly induce allergic symptoms, such as swelling of the mucous membranes caused by dilation of the capillaries, edema caused by seepage of blood plasma into mucous membrane tissue, sneezing caused by stimulation of sensory nerves in mucous membranes, coughing, increased secretion of mucus from glands in the mucous membranes, and a runny nose.
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
Heredity: Half of all allergic rhinitis patients have a family history of allergies.
Allergens: Household dust, dust mites, pollen, air pollution, animal dander or feathers, pesticides, microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and mold, and animal allergens such as cow's milk, milk products, eggs, and shellfish.
Climate: Change of the seasons, sudden chills, large daily temperature differences.
Endocrinological disorders: Women may suffer allergic reactions at the time of menopause or ovarian disorder.
Psychological factors: Stress and other psychological factors may trigger allergic disorders.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Long-term flow of colorless water-like mucus from the nose, nasal congestion, sneezing (the patient may sneeze five or six times in a row, or as many as several dozen times, when getting out of bed in the morning), and itchiness of the nose. Possible associated symptoms include itchiness of the eyes, red eyes, tears, itchiness of the skin, and impaired sense of smell.
Method of Treating Allergic Rhinitis
Drug therapy: Allergic rhinitis may be treated with antihistamines, adrenalinoid drugs, anti-cholinergic drugs, calcium ion blockers, steroids, and adipose cell stabilizers.
Surgery: Allergic rhinitis may be relieved by straightening curvature of the nasal septum, cauterization of the nasal mucosa, cutting of nerves, and cauterization of the nasal turbinates.
Allergy therapy: A variety of allergy tests can be used to determine specific antigens, which may then be progressively injected into the body so that they can be recognized by the immune system.
Regardless of what method of treatment is used, the most basic approach to relieving allergic rhinitis is to strengthen the body's immunity.
Reference: Liu Chia-ming; 1993; Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis; Continuing Medical Education, 2: 507-513; the mechanism of nasal allergies (Liu, 1993).
