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aforementioned runny nose, as well as nasal congestion and post-nasal drip. According to recent studies completed in the United States, more than 50 million Americans are current sufferers. Rhinitis has also been found to adversely affect more than just the nose, throat, and eyes. It has been associated with sleeping problems, ear conditions, and even learning problems. Rhinitis is caused by an increase in histamine. This increase is most often caused by airborne allergens. These allergens may affect an individual's nose, throat, or eyes and cause an increase in fluid production within these areas.
Types
Rhinitis is categorized into three types: infective rhinitis includes acute and chronic bacterial infections; nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis includes autonomic, hormonal, drug-induced, atrophic, and gustatory rhinitis, as well as rhinitis medicamentosa; allergic rhinitis, the mic reaction triggered by pollen, mold, animal dander, dust and other similar inhaled allergens.
Vasomotor rhinitis
Vasomotor rhinitis is better known as nonallergic rhinitis. The distinguishing characteristic leading to a diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis is the absence of allergic response. Nonallergic rhinitis can be caused by airborne irritants, weather changes, infections, food and drink, medications, hormone changes, or stress, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The pathology of vasomotor rhinitis is in fact not very well-understood and more research is needed. Vasomotor rhinitis appears to be significantly more common in women than men, leading some researchers to believe hormones to play a role. In general, age of onset occurs after 20 years of age, in contrast to allergic rhinitis which generally appears before age 20. Individuals suffering from vasomotor rhinitis typically experience symptoms year-round, though symptoms may exacerbate in the spring and fall when rapid weather changes are more common.
Patients cannot have vasomotor rhinitis and allergic rhinitis simultaneously because vasomotor rhinitis is a diagnosis of exclusion reached after other conditions have been ruled out. An estimated 17 million United States citizens have vasomotor rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis
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