Severe allergic rhinitis can significantly disrupt normal learning, work, and daily life. Constant sneezing, persistent clear nasal discharge, and intermittent itching in the nasal passages and throat can be utterly exhausting! Compare the following symptoms to see if you're truly suffering from allergic rhinitis.So what are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
1. Nasal Itching
Patients often experience an unbearable sensation of ants crawling inside their nose, occurring multiple times daily. Some may also have itching in the eyes, throat, or ears, along with tearing. This itching results from histamine and other inflammatory mediators stimulating sensory nerve endings in the nasal mucosa.
2. Clear nasal discharge
Sneezing is often accompanied by a profuse, watery nasal discharge. In severe cases, it resembles a running faucet. Some individuals require large quantities of tissues or handkerchiefs daily, and this condition frequently leads to anterior vestibulitis and peeling of the upper lip.Clear nasal discharge typically results from excessive parasympathetic nerve activity, which increases vascular permeability in the nasal mucosa and leads to hyperactive secretion from goblet cells and glands.
III. Nasal Congestion The severity varies, often worsening during flare-ups while being less noticeable between episodes. Some patients with prolonged illness may experience persistent nasal congestion.Nasal congestion is usually caused by decreased sympathetic nerve function, increased vascular permeability, and interstitial swelling. Nasal congestion is a self-protective response of the body to nasal cavity function, where the nasal cavity attempts to resolve the problem by restricting airflow, allowing the affected mucosa to regulate itself. As the first gateway of the respiratory system, the nasal cavity faces a heavily polluted environment, often suffering new injuries before old ones have healed.
IV. Paroxysmal Sneezing
Characterized by sudden, continuous episodes, some individuals may experience sneezing fits ranging from over a dozen to several dozen sneezes. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable upon waking or at night, and may worsen with seasonal changes, reflecting heightened reactivity of the nasal mucosa.Similar to coughing, sneezing is a protective reflex triggered after deep inhalation, followed by forceful exhalation. Airflow expelled through the nasopharynx exits via the mouth and nose, accompanied by facial muscle contractions, eye closure, tearing, and temporary increased nasal secretions.Reduced sense of smell is often caused by mucosal edema and nasal congestion, typically being temporary. However, persistent edema can lead to olfactory nerve atrophy. Irritation from nasal secretions may cause dry coughing; severe cases may present with chest tightness and shortness of breath. If asthma has developed as a complication, wheezing may be audible. Severe cases may experience respiratory distress, often worsening at night.Persistent nasal obstruction may lead to sinusitis and otitis media. Some patients may experience systemic symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and decreased appetite.
The nasal cavity is richly innervated, with both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers entering via the sphenopalatine ganglion. The autonomic nerves of the nasal mucosa primarily regulate vascular tone and glandular secretion.Under normal conditions, the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves distributed in the nasal cavity remain balanced. Sympathetic nerve stimulation causes vasoconstriction of the nasal mucosa, while parasympathetic nerve stimulation induces vasodilation and increased glandular secretion. When the nasal mucosa undergoes mechanical or chemical irritation, it can also trigger widespread cardiovascular and respiratory responses, the severity of which correlates with the intensity of the stimulus.Increased nasal resistance, thermal stimuli to the nasal mucosa, or exposure to chemical irritants like smoke, benzene, or ammonia often trigger bronchoconstriction, reducing pulmonary ventilation. This phenomenon is termed the nasopulmonary reflex. Primarily affecting the ipsilateral lung, this reflex mechanism underlies the development of bronchial asthma in allergic rhinitis patients.