
n.
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.
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American Heritage Dictionary:
rhi·ni·tis |

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Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health:
Rhinitis |
Definition
Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous lining of the nose.
Description
Rhinitis is a nonspecific term that covers infections, allergies, and other disorders whose common feature is the location of their symptoms. In rhinitis, the mucous membranes become infected or irritated, producing a discharge, congestion, and swelling of the tissues. The most widespread form of infectious rhinitis is the common cold. Doctors sometimes designate two different forms of rhinitis. These are allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is cause by allergies, and nonallergic rhinitis is caused by other conditions such as the common cold.
Transmission
Nonallergic rhinitis is generally transmitted in the same ways as the common cold. It is transmitted from person to person. The sick person touches his or her nose and then another person's hands. If that person then touches his nose, mouth, or eyes, the infection is transmitted. Infection can also be transmitted through sharing of cups, silverware, or eating utensils, or by coughing or sneezing. Allergic rhinitis cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Demographics
The most frequent cause of nonallergic rhinitis is the common cold. The common cold is the most frequent viral infection in the general population, causing more absenteeism from school or work than any other illness. Colds are self-limited, lasting about three to 10 days, although they are sometimes followed by a bacterial infection. Children are more susceptible than adults; teenage boys more susceptible than teenage girls; and adult women more susceptible than adult men. In the United States, colds are most frequent during the late fall and winter. Allergic rhinitis is less common that nonallergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects between 20 and 40 million people in the United States. Children are more at risk for allergic rhinitis if one or both parents has allergies.
Causes and Symptoms
The onset of a cold is usually sudden. The virus causes the lining of the nose to become inflamed and produce large quantities of thin, watery mucus. Children sometimes develop a fever with a cold. The inflammation spreads from the nasal passages to the throat and upper airway, producing a dry cough, headache, and watery eyes. Some people develop muscle or joint aches and feel generally tired or weak. After several days, the nose becomes less inflamed and a thick, sticky mucus replaces the watery discharge. This change in the appearance of the nasal discharge helps to distinguish rhinitis caused by a viral infection from rhinitis caused by an allergy.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites, or grass. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are similar to those of nonallergic rhinitis, except that they are usually much longer lasting and are rarely accompanied by a fever. These symptoms often occur at specific times of year if they are not constant.
When to Call the Doctor
If the symptoms of rhinitis persist for more than a week, or it they frequently occur in specific situations or during specific times of year, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor can then do tests to determine if the rhinitis is viral, bacterial, or caused by allergies and treat it accordingly.
Diagnosis
There is no specific test for viral rhinitis. The diagnosis is based on the symptoms. In children, the doctor will examine the child's throat and glands to rule out other childhood illnesses that have similar early symptoms. If the symptoms last for more than a week, the child may be tested further to rule out bacterial infections or allergies. Allergies can be evaluated by blood tests, skin testing for specific substances, or nasal smears.
Treatment
There is no cure for viral nonallergic rhinitis; treatment is given for symptom relief. Medications include aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for headache and muscle pain, and decongestants to relieve stuffiness or runny nose. Patients should be warned against overusing decongestants, because they can cause a rebound effect. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines are also available; however, most anti-histamines carry warnings of drowsiness and the inability to do some tasks while medicated. Claritin is a prescription-strength OTC non-drowsy antihistamine that helps relieve symptoms of rhinitis. Antibiotics are not given for viral nonallergic rhinitis because they do not kill viruses. Supportive care includes bed rest and drinking plenty of fluid. Treatments under investigation, as of 2004, included the use of ultraviolet light and injections of interferon. If the nonallergic rhinitis has a bacterial cause at its root, antibiotics can be given; however, bacterial causes of rhinitis are not very common.
Allergic rhinitis is treated in a number of ways, including seasonal allergy medication, nasal sprays, and decongestants. If the cause of the allergies is determined to be an indoor allergen such as dust mites or pet dander, steps can be taken to rid the home of some of the allergens. Injections, or allergy shots, are also sometimes used to treat allergic rhinitis. A small amount of the allergen is injected at first, with tolerance built up over weeks or months. The shots are given frequently at first, but when a maintenance level of the allergen is reached, they are given less frequently. After a few years, they are no longer given at all. These shots have been found to be very effective in some cases, but there are often problems with compliance. Children may also find the experience of regular injections over such a long period to be distressing.
Alternative Treatment
Homeopaths might prescribe any of 10 different remedies, depending on the appearance of the nasal discharge, the patients emotional state, and the stage of infection. Naturopaths may recommend vitamin A and zinc supplements, together with botanical preparations made from echinacea (Echinacea spp.), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), or astragalus (Astragalus membraneceus) root.
Prognosis
Most rhinitis caused by a cold resolves completely in about a week. Complications are unusual but may include sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal sinuses), bacterial infections, or infections of the middle ear. Allergic rhinitis can usually be treated very effectively. Bacterial causes of rhinitis can usually be resolved fairly quickly with the use of antibiotics.
Prevention
There is no known way to successfully prevent allergic rhinitis. The only way to prevent viral and bacterial nonallergic rhinitis is to take the steps which prevent transmission of the common cold. These include:
Parental Concerns
Rhinitis causes symptoms such as runny nose, itching, and sneezing that may be uncomfortable for the child. Nonallergic rhinitis is not thought to have any significant long-term consequences. Children who have allergic rhinitis may be at increased risk for developing asthma.
See also Allergic rhinitis; Allergies; Common cold.
Resources
Books
Busse, William W., and Holgate, Stephan T. eds. Asthma and Rhinitis. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2000.
Long, Aidan, et al. Management of Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2002.
Periodicals
Hopkinson, Kate, and Pauline Powell. "Management of Allergic Rhinitis." Primary Health Care 14, n0. 4 (May 2004): 43.
Wachter, Kerri. "Allergy Is Not Always Behind Rhinitis Symptoms: Separating Allergic from Nonallergic." Family Practice News 33, i.23 (December 1, 2003): 20.
Organizations
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, Immunology. 555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823. Web site: www.aaaai.org.
[Article by: Tish Davidson, A.M. Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]
Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine:
rhinitis |
Inflammation of the nose, Acute rhinitis is a symptom of a common cold and hay fever. Rhinitis usually results in blockage of the nose, but this rarely limits aerobic performance because breathing switches from the nose to mouth when the minute ventilation volume rises above 25 l. Rhinitis has assumed far greater importance in sports medicine than it really deserves, because many of the drugs used to treat the condition contain banned substances (e.g. codeine). Several elite athletes have been disqualified from competitions because they have used these substances.
Saunders Veterinary Dictionary:
rhinitis |
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It may be mild and chronic, or acute. There are signs of wheezing, sneezing and respiratory stertor at all levels. There is a strong nasal discharge which may be serous to purulent.
Mosby's Dental Dictionary:
rhinitis |
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, usually accompanied by swelling of the mucosa and a nasal discharge. Rhinitis may be acute, allegic, atrophic, or vasomotor.
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Rhinitis |
| ICD-10 | J00, J30, J31.0 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 472.0, 477 |
| OMIM | 607154 |
| DiseasesDB | 26380 |
| MedlinePlus | 000813 |
| eMedicine | ent/194 med/104, ped/2560 |
| MeSH | D012220 |
Rhinitis (
/raɪˈnaɪtɪs/) is a medical term for irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Common symptoms of rhinitis are a stuffy nose, runny nose, and post-nasal drip.[1]. The most common kind of rhinitis is allergic rhinitis,[2] which is usually triggered by airborne allergens such as pollen and dander.[3] Allergic rhinitis may cause additional symptoms, such as sneezing and nasal itching, coughing, headache,[4] fatigue, malaise, and cognitive impairment.[5][6][7] The allergens may also affect the eyes, causing watery, reddened or itchy eyes and puffiness around the eyes.[4]
Rhinitis is very common. Allergic rhinitis is more common in some countries than others; in the United States, about 10%-30% of adults are affected annually.[8]
In rhinitis, the inflammation of the mucous membrane is caused by viruses, bacteria, irritants or allergens. The inflammation results in the generation of large amounts of mucus, commonly producing a runny nose, as well as a stuffy nose and post-nasal drip. In the case of allergic rhinitis, the inflammation is caused by the degranulation of mast cells in the nose. When mast cells degranulate, they release histamine and other chemicals,[9] starting an inflammatory process that can cause symptoms outside the nose, such as fatigue and malaise.[10]
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Contents
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Rhinitis is categorized into three types: (i) infective rhinitis includes acute and chronic bacterial infections; (ii) nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis includes autonomic, hormonal, drug-induced, atrophic, and gustatory rhinitis, as well as rhinitis medicamentosa; (iii) allergic rhinitis, triggered by pollen, mold, animal dander, dust and other similar inhaled allergens.[2]
Rhinitis is commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, including the common cold, which is caused by Rhinoviruses and Coronaviruses, or bacterial sinusitis. Symptoms of the common cold include rhinorrhea, sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, congestion, and slight headache.[citation needed]
Non-allergic rhinitis refers to runny nose that is not due to allergy. Non-allergic rhinitis can be classified as either non-inflammatory or inflammatory rhinitis. One very common type of non-inflammatory, non-allergic rhinitis that is sometimes confused with allergy is called vasomotor rhinitis,[11] in which certain non-allergic triggers such as smells, fumes, smoke, dusts, and temperature changes, cause rhinitis. There is still much to be learned about this entity, but it is thought that these non-allergic triggers cause dilation of the blood vessels in the lining of the nose, which results in swelling, and drainage. Vasomotor rhinitis can coexist with allergic rhinitis, and this is called "mixed rhinitis." (Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice, seventh edition.) The pathology of vasomotor rhinitis appears to involve neurogenic inflammation[12] and is as yet not very well understood. Vasomotor rhinitis appears to be significantly more common in women than men, leading some researchers to believe that hormones play a role. In general, age of onset occurs after 20 years of age, in contrast to allergic rhinitis which can be developed at any age. Individuals suffering from vasomotor rhinitis typically experience symptoms year-round, though symptoms may be exacerbated in the spring and autumn when rapid weather changes are more common.[13] An estimated 17 million United States citizens have vasomotor rhinitis. The antihistamines azelastine and olopatadine, applied as nasal sprays, may both be effective for vasomotor rhinitis.[14][15] Fluticasone propionate or budesonide (both are steroids) in nostril spray form may also be used for symptomatic treatment.
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is when an allergen such as pollen or dust is inhaled by an individual with a sensitized immune system, triggering antibody production. These antibodies mostly bind to mast cells, which contain histamine. When the mast cells are stimulated by pollen and dust, histamine (and other chemicals) are released. This causes itching, swelling, and mucus production. Symptoms vary in severity between individuals. Very sensitive individuals can experience hives or other rashes. Particulate matter in polluted air and chemicals such as chlorine and detergents, which can normally be tolerated, can greatly aggravate the condition.[citation needed]
Characteristic physical findings in individuals who have allergic rhinitis include conjunctival swelling and erythema, eyelid swelling, lower eyelid venous stasis, lateral crease on the nose, swollen nasal turbinates, and middle ear effusion.[16]
Even if a person has negative skin-prick, intradermal and blood tests for allergies, they may still have allergic rhinitis, from a local allergy in the nose. This is called local allergic rhinitis.[17] Many people who were previously diagnosed with nonallergic rhinitis may actually have local allergic rhinitis.[18]
It is a condition of rebound nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline, and naphazoline nasal sprays) that work by constricting blood vessels in the lining of the nose.
Chronic rhinitis in form of atrophy of the mucous membrane and glands.
Chronic form of dryness of the mucous membranes
Chronic rhinitis associated with polyps in the nasal cavity.
The management of rhinitis depends on the underlying cause. High-dose administration of Vitamin B12 has been additionally validated to stimulate the activity of the body's TH1 suppressor T-Cells, which then down-regulates the over-production of the allergen antibody IgE in allergic individuals which could decrease both near and long term manifestations of rhinitis symptomology.[19][20]
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Translations:
Rhinitis |
Dansk (Danish)
n. - [med.] rhinitis, snue
Nederlands (Dutch)
neusontsteking
Français (French)
n. - rhinite
Deutsch (German)
n. - (Med.) Rhinitis, Nasenschleimhautentzündung
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (παθολ.) ρινίτιδα
Português (Portuguese)
n. - rinite (f) (Med.)
Русский (Russian)
воспаление слизистой оболочки носа
Español (Spanish)
n. - rinitis
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - inflammation i näsan
中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
鼻炎, 鼻粘膜炎
中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 鼻炎, 鼻粘膜炎
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) إلتهاب الانف
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - דלקת האף
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| hay fever | |
| Erbovirus | |
| lymphocytic–plasmacytic |
| What is the cause of rhinitis? Read answer... | |
| What is definition of rhinitis? Read answer... | |
| How is rhinitis treated in alternative medicine? Read answer... |
| What is the difference between allergic rhinitis and non allegric rhinitis? | |
| What is bacterial rhinitis? | |
| What it acute rhinitis? |
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![]() | American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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![]() | Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health. © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
![]() | Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Saunders Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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![]() | Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Rhinitis. Read more |
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