Rhinitis Treatment at Mount Sinai
Rhinitis treatment can be challenging as symptoms are often chronic. But at Mount Sinai, our experts can help you navigate the various steps to find the best treatment that relieves your symptoms and lets you live life again.비염치료한의원
Allergic rhinitis is caused by a sensitivity to inhaled environmental allergens like pollen, mold, pet dander and dust mites. Your immune system responds to these substances by releasing chemicals, such as histamine. This causes the nasal lining to become swollen, irritated and produce mucus. These symptoms can occur seasonally or all year round.
Nonallergic rhinitis is less common and can be brought on by many different things, including infections, irritants, medications and hormone changes. Using over-the-counter decongestant nose spray or drops, especially oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, others) for more than a few days can make the congestion worse. So can taking a blood pressure medicine called a beta blocker. Medications that have a sedative effect, such as tricyclic antidepressants, can also trigger this type of rhinitis. Hormone changes, such as those that happen during pregnancy and periods, and problems with the thyroid gland, such as hypothyroidism, can cause nonallergic rhinitis.
A doctor can diagnose rhinitis by looking at your history and symptoms and doing a physical exam. If your rhinitis is due to allergies, there are several allergy tests that can help identify the allergens. One is a skin prick test, where the doctor places commercial extracts of certain allergens on your skin and then pricks the area to get a reaction. A small red bump shows up if you’re allergic to that substance. Another allergy testing method is a blood test, which measures immunoglobulin E antibodies to specific allergens.
Avoiding allergens is the main way to treat rhinitis. If that’s not possible, your allergist can prescribe medications to reduce a runny nose and sneezing, such as antihistamines, decongestants, leukotriene receptor antagonists and nasal steroids. Nasal irrigation with saline is also a useful tool to reduce the buildup of fluid in your nose.
Rhinitis is linked to asthma, and controlling your rhinitis can also control your asthma. But the exact relationship is not fully understood.
For more severe or persistent rhinitis, your physician may recommend immunotherapy, which treats the underlying allergens to prevent them from producing the chemicals that trigger your rhinitis symptoms. This involves a series of injections that increase the amount of allergen you receive over time, so your body learns to tolerate the substance and stops launching a response. Oral immunotherapy, which is a pill you swallow, is also available for some allergies. But it is not recommended for people with unstable or uncontrolled asthma. It is also not recommended for pregnant women or children under the age of 12. Our team has extensive experience with the latest over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as minimally invasive surgery techniques that can improve your quality of life. We can also address structural issues that contribute to your rhinitis symptoms so you can breathe easier again.라경찬한의원