Allergic inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane

(Allergic rhinitis) http://www.earspecialist.eu/index.php?

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Allergic rhinitis, or the allergic
inflammation of the nasal mucous
membrane, is a very unpleasant disease
affecting about 20% of the population.

Diagnosed and treated cases of it, however,

present no obstacle to the patient’s work,
studies or rest. It is an allergic reaction of
the nasal mucous membrane to respiratory
allergens.

As part of the reaction, a considerable

amount of histamine is released, causing
swelling in the mucous membrane and
increased discharging in the nose, sinuses,
and the mucous membrane of the eyes.

The disease usually runs in families (i.e. several members of

a family suffer from it). About 20% of all children and 15-
30% of all adults are affected. It is estimated that about 75%
of the children suffering from asthma have allergic rhinitis.

Depending on the allergen and the clinical symptoms, two

types of allergic rhinitis are differentiated: seasonal hay
fever and perennial allergic rhinitis.

The most
common form of
allergy is hay
fever, which is a
specific
immediate
reaction
occurring on the
mucous
membrane in
certain seasons.
The clinical description is typical in the case of seasonal hay fever.

Certain pollens acting as allergens appear in the air and trigger the symptoms. Typical
symptoms include itching in the nose, a blocking in breathing through the nose, or a full
blockage of the nose.

Sneezing and sneezing attacks are common. Nasal discharge is usually watery. Temporarily
decreased or completely absent olfaction can also occur.

Permanent olfactory disturbance (dysosmia) can sometimes occur due to damage in the
sensory epithelium.

Inflammation of the
mucous membrane can
also accompany allergy.

Patients typically feel as

if their heads are heavy
and blunt as well as
unpleasantly full.

A general sense of
illness can occur, together with fever and lack of
appetite. Various neurovegetative dysfunctions can
also occur, sometimes making the patient unable to work.

In some cases bacterial superinfection and complications also occur, adding their symptoms
to the others.

History: allergic rhinitis is caused by

inhaled allergens.

In the individual sensitive to them, the

allergens cause, through immunglobulines
(IgE mediation), an immediate (type 1)
allergic reaction on the
mucous membrane of the
nasal cavity and accessory
cavities.
A quick inflammation process develops in the organs affected by the allergic shock, i.e. the
mucous membrane of the nose, the conjunctiva, and other membranes.

The quick reaction releases inflammation causing histamines and histamine-like materials
from the tissues, walls of blood vessels and some components of blood. These materials
cause a dilation of blood vessels, sanguinity, swelling, and a flow of liquids from blood
vessels, resulting in a blockage of the nose, discharge and itching.

Seasonal
allergies are
caused by
pollens. Pollens
are male germs
(15-30
micrometers)
necessary for the
reproduction of
plants.

Most complaints
are about the pollen of wind-pollenated plants.

About 15-20 pollens per cubic meter of air can already cause symptoms. Colorful insect-
pollenated flowers and blooms rarely cause allergies.

The most
active
allergen in
Hungary is
the common
ragweed
(Ambrosia
elatior),
which was
originally a weed of the great plains of the
United States, brought to Hungary in infected grain shipments in the early 20th century.

At first it grew contained to some areas, but by today it has spread to the entire territory of the
country.
It matures by July, its pollen distribution becoming intensive by late July, early August. Due
to their small size, the pollen deposites in the upper respiratory system, the nasal mucous
membrane and the conjunctiva, causing a hay fever. The common ragweed and ragweed
allergy are almost completely unknown in Western European countries, according to some
opinions, because in the cooler late summer months there the plant cannot mature, or because
there are fewer weed infested waste fields.

The common wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris) is a weed

which is similarly common to the common ragweed. It is a
strong allergen whose period of flowering is the same as the
ragweed’s. Sensitivity to both plants is common.
The pollen of birch trees (Betula varicosa) is a common
allergen.

The pollen of some spring and summer

grasses are also common allergens,
including plantain (Plantago), rye grasses
(Poa), perennial rye-grass (Lolium), and
twitch (Agropyron).

Grass and other plant allergens cause hay

fever, while allergy to house dust,
cockroaches, cat hair and dog hair causes asthma. Ragweed
can cause both hay fever and asthma.

Perennial allergic reactions are caused by

inhaled allergens, regardless of season, such
as mold, animal hair, house dust, and mites;
by allergens contained in food such as fish,
strawberries, nuts, eggs, milk, and flour
etc.; by “occupational” allergens such as flour
(bakers), hair and dandruff (hairdressers); or
by bacterial allergens and parasites.

Other causes: another reason for the

development of allergy is the
overacidification of the body.

The poisonous materials produced in an

overacidified body can greatly contribute to the development of allergic symptoms. As a
result of insufficient metabolism, undigested larger protein molecules and amino acids
cannot be processed.
These are treated as foreign materials by our body, producing an allergic reaction. The
restoration of metabolism and deacidification can help allergy as well. During an allergic
reaction, histamines are released, triggering a decomposition of salt and a production of
sodium bicarbonate in the stomach. If you are experiencing allergic reactions, your body
might be acidifying.

Diagnosis: The history is typical.

Laboratory examinations: Saliva and cell
diagnostics.

Intercutaneous skin test, Prick-test,

epicutaneous skin tests.

Provocation test on the nasal mucous

membrane with nasal rhinomanometric
control. Isolation of antibodies in blood serum
(IgE-definition). Radio-allergo-sorbent-test
(RAST).

Local findings: Pale, bluish-purple memrane, which can turn bright red in the acute phase.
Nasal conchae are swollen. Heavy, watery discharging.

Differential diagnosis:
vazomotoric rhinopathia, other rhinitis.

Treatment: causal treatment is

recommended:
Specific hyposensibilitizing (according to allergen),
preferably pre-season (in case of pollinosis, in the
fall).

To be repeated several years in a row. - Withdrawing

the allergen (e.g. in mountains). - Change of
profession, if necessary. - In addition: applying
disodium cromoglicicum (Intal), locally or generally, thereby preventing the release of
histamine and serotonin from mast cells.
Treatment of symptoms: antihistamines,
corticosteroids (special mixtures for local application)

Observation is important since corticosteroids can

reduce the mucous membrane and vasoconstrictive
nose drops can have side effects.

Development of polyps or of permanent swelling of

the mucous membrane require surgical intervention.

Causal treatment

In causal treatment, the most important steps are the deacidification of the body through
alkaline food intake and alkaline food supplements.
We recommend supplements which use natural substances to supplement missing alkaline
intake and bind superfluous acids.

The product recommended by us contains a unique mixture of 49 different organically grown

vegetables, grasses, leaves and sprouted grains. It contains more than 125 natural vitamins,
minerals and amino acid, which makes the maximal absorption of bases possible. It has an
energizing effect and helps the oxygen intake of blood from water. It is a strong oxygen
catalyst and helps the optimal functioning of body cells. It alkalinizes the body and reduces
acid levels.

The powder recommended by us has to be taken during the day dissolved in water. This
product can significantly reduce acid level, detoxify and energize in a matter of a few
weeks.

For more information,

read the product information or manufacturer’s
homepage.
With other questions, call at +36-20-397 4144 or send
email to studiomed@invitel.hu

Diseases of the accessory sinuses and the deep respiratory system as well as nasal and
sinus polyps can develop.

Superinfection and allergy

 Bacteria and viruses can act as allergens, although
their practical role as such is questioned by many
today. This type of allergy can be divided into three
forms on the basis of the course of the disease:

(a) Allergic reaction typical of bacterial and viral

causes, with no clinical infection (e.g. parasites in
nasal mucous membrane)

(b) Allergic reaction following bacterial or viral

infection (e.g. chronic baterial rhinitis or sinusitis,
sensitivization to pathogen)

(c) Superinfection of tissue already altered by allergy (where the pathogen is not the same as
the allergen).

Course of disease, prognosis:

Usually positive. With advancing in age, the patient’s allergic symptoms decrease. Disease
can sometimes turn into bronchial asthma (and vice versa).