Rhinitis

Abstract

Rhinitis is a clinical diagnosis and is defined as inflammation of the nasal mucosa with one or more symptoms of sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and nasal blockage lasting for at least 1 h on most days. All diseases causing rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rhinitis. Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome is a type of rhinitis associated with the symptoms of perennial rhinitis without any identifiable allergen hypersensitivity. IgE-mediated mechanisms do not play a role. Excessive eosinophilia is demonstrated in nasal secretions. Nonallergic asthma and analgesic intolerance are more common in these patients. The etiology is unclear. Patients often respond well to treatment with intranasal corticosteroids.

Occupational rhinitis, hormonal rhinitis, emotional rhinitis, and gustatory rhinorrhea are other types of rhinitis. The term idiopathic rhinitis is generally used instead of vasomotor rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is a subgroup of NARES, which is thought to be due to an imbalance of the autonomic nervous supply and peptidergic nervous mechanisms. Atrophic rhinitis is characterized by progressive atrophy of the underlying bone of the turbinates and nasal mucosa. Copious foul-smelling crusts fill the nasal cavity.