The term rhinitis is derived from the Ancient Greek words for nose (“rhino”) and inflammation (“itis”). Often, rhinitis symptoms (such as nasal congestion, sneezing and coughing) are acute in nature–unpleasant, certainly, but relatively short in duration and manageable.
However, if your rhinitis symptoms are recurring, chronic or severe enough to impact quality of life, it is best to consult a medical professional. The physicians at Sierra Nevada Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) can help diagnose the underlying causes and provide treatment for your rhinitis.
Types of Rhinitis
Rhinitis is typically classified in three categories: acute rhinitis, allergic rhinitis and non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis.
All three forms of rhinitis tend to have the following symptoms in common:
- a congested or runny nose
- post-nasal drip (excess mucus in the throat)
- sneezing and/or coughing
Acute rhinitis–what we may think of as a common cold–is extremely common and usually the result of a viral infection in the respiratory tract. It is typically short-lived, lasting two weeks or less, and can be treated with a combination of rest, at-home and over-the-counter remedies. In addition to the general rhinitis symptoms listed above, acute rhinitis may occasionally be accompanied by a headache or low-grade fever.
Allergic rhinitis is the result of your body’s immune system reacting to an otherwise harmless substance in the environment (allergen). Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, pets such as cats and dogs and certain foods. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of all Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis. In addition to the general rhinitis symptoms listed above, allergic rhinitis may be accompanied by:
- itchy, red or runny eyes
- itchy nose, throat or ears
- nosebleeds
- mouth breathing and/or snoring
Symptoms typically appear shortly after encountering the allergen and may quickly resolve when the allergen is avoided or removed. In some cases allergens are present at specific times of year–in Northern Nevada, think cottonwood pollen in the spring or sage and rabbitbrush in the summer and fall. These cyclically occurring allergens can trigger seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever. Individuals with a family history of rhinitis or those with asthma or eczema may be more prone to developing allergic rhinitis.
Non-allergic rhinitis can result in the same nasal inflammation and discomfort as allergic rhinitis, but it is not triggered by an allergen. Non-allergic rhinitis can be chronic, meaning that symptoms continue throughout the year. Non-allergic rhinitis may be triggered by exposure to fragrances, solvents, and barometric pressure changes. In addition to the general rhinitis symptoms listed above, nonallergic rhinitis may be accompanied by:
- copious clear nasal discharge
- post-nasal drip
- mouth breathing and/or snoring
- fatigue
Non-allergic rhinitis is more common in adults than in children, women experiencing hormonal changes, individuals with repeated exposure to environmental irritants or fumes (smog, smoke, certain chemicals) and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. It is also more common at higher altitude
Diagnosis
Severe and/or chronic rhinitis can have an adverse effect on quality of life, particularly when it comes to sleep, work and socialization. Since there is no single underlying cause of rhinitis, it is important to see an ear, nose and throat specialist to determine what is going on behind the scenes and provide a professional diagnosis.
When you visit Sierra Nevada ENT, we will discuss a variety of factors, including the frequency, duration and severity of your symptoms, family history, environmental conditions, diet, injuries, medication and more. We will also examine your sinuses, ears and throat. In some cases, we may also recommend allergy testing, such as a skin or blood test. Allergy testing allows us to identify or rule out specific rhinitis triggers.
If you are experiencing severe or chronic rhinitis and traditional allergens have been ruled out, a diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis may be made. Our specialists will work with you to determine the underlying causes, which could include environmental irritants, lifestyle or pre-existing health conditions.
Based on this information, our specialists at Sierra Nevada ENT will create an individualized plan to treat your rhinitis and help improve your quality of life.
How to Treat Rhinitis
Because there is no one root cause of rhinitis, careful testing and diagnosis is key. Based on our rhinitis diagnosis, a treatment plan may include some combination of preventative care and over-the-counter or prescription medication. In rare cases, medical intervention such as surgery may be necessary to address underlying health problems.
When it comes to allergic rhinitis, the most conservative treatment is to proactively avoid the allergen. This includes staying away from moldy or dusty areas, animal dander or other triggers. It may also include environmental controls, such as closing windows and turning on the air conditioner during pollen season.
Since it is not always possible to control the environment, however, there are also medicines to help relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms, including antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. Sometimes, allergy shots may also be recommended.
When it comes to non-allergic rhinitis, our team will recommend treatment based on our diagnosis of the root cause. This could mean proactively avoiding environmental irritants, changing diet or medication regimens, regulating hormonal imbalances, using nasal rinses or sprays or addressing underlying health issues such as diabetes, sleep apnea or even acid reflux.
Sinus Treatments at Sierra Nevada ENT
Sierra Nevada Ear, Nose & Throat has been serving patients in Northern Nevada for more than 25 years. Our doctors specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of sinus conditions, including rhinitis.
Because a number of underlying conditions may cause your rhinitis, a proper medical diagnosis is important. Even if it is not a serious condition, our expert staff can assess what is wrong and help improve the health of your nasal cavity. Call or visit us today for professional rhinitis treatment.
