Asthma is a serious, chronic respiratory disease in which airwary inflammation causes a blockage or narrowing of the bronchioles leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. The degree of severity varies greatly between patients, some experience symptoms only occasionally, while others rely on medication to control their ongoing difficulty with breathing.
An acute asthma attack typically comes on when something triggers the airway inflammation, resulting in a range of moderate to severe symptoms, sometimes even life-threatening.
Common Asthma Triggers Include:
Allergic rhinitis literally means "allergic nose inflammation": rhino means "to do with the nose" and the ending “-itis” simply refers to inflammation. Allergic rhinitis is further defined as an inflammation of the nasal mucosa which is triggered by an allergic reaction. People with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis, particularly those individuals with other atopic (allergy–related) conditions, such as eczema and asthma. The onset of allergic rhinitis is common in childhood, adolescence, and the early adult years. Though the average age of allergic rhinitis onset is 8-11 years, allergic rhinitis may occur at any age. In 80% of cases, allergic rhinitis develops by 20 years of age. Allergic rhinitis occurs in all races and is likely in both genders (but more common in boys during childhood).
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
* itching of the nose, mouth/palate, eyes, throat, skin, or
ears
* clear runny nose (rhinitis)
* impaired sense of smell
* sneezing, may be frequent, prolonged and violent
* nasal congestion
* increased tearing
* post-nasal drip
* wheezing
* persistent cough, often rattling
* sore throat
* crease across the top of the nose
* dark circles under eyes
* oedematous nasal mucosa
There are two categories of allergic rhinitis, seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is commonly known as "hay fever”. Despite its name, hay fever is almost never caused by hay and this medical condition does not cause an elevation in body temperature. The term ‘hay fever’ originated in England in the early 1800’s when doctors noticed that some rural residents experienced sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing after being exposed to cut hay or grass. This condition was also dubbed a "fever" because it caused nervousness and this is one of the old English definitions of fever.
Concerning (SAR) seasonal allergic rhinitis, an allergen (something that triggers an allergy) initiates symptoms around the same time each year. Spring attacks are usually due to tree pollen, while grass pollens dominate in the summer and weed pollens in the autumn. Most people with allergic rhinitis are sensitive to more than one allergen. On the other hand, perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) occurs year-round. This condition is most common in people with allergies to allergens that are present all year. Naturally, people who are allergic to house dust mites or to their own pets tend to suffer regardless of the season.
Chinese Medicine and Rhinitis
As a result of modern medicine’s inability to provide an effective long-term treatment for allergic rhinitis, many sufferers with this particular ailment seek assistance from doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM offers an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis by providing both immediate and lasting results. Most TCM doctors use Chinese Herbal Medicine when treating allergic rhinitis. These herbal prescriptions that are used have the ability to simultaneously addresses the acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis as well as strengthen the individual’s immune system. Ultimately, this approach to treating allergic rhinitis achieves effective results, often in a short period of time. In stubborn or severe cases, acupuncture and/or external herbal nose drops may be useful for symptomatic relief.