Rebellious nose. How to recognize rhinosinusitis
Each of us has certainly had to deal with a cold several times, but this very common viral form of rhinitis is just one of the many rhinopathies, as they are more precisely called, recognized by medical science. There are various forms, each with different causes and symptoms: in addition to colds, transmitted by a virus, they range from allergic rhinitis to more annoying chronic forms, capable of leading to extensive inflammation of the mucosa and sinuses. However, there is no "official" classification of rhinopathies, and often each Scientific Society uses different terminologies to identify the same pathology.
In general, however, the distinction between infectious, allergic, non-allergic and caused by other causes is shared by specialists.
Not just allergies
Within this rather complex scenario, an important space is occupied by the so-called "vasomotor" rhinitis. But what is the meaning of this term? Suffering from vasomotor rhinitis simply means having a "rebellious nose", that is hyper-reactive, due to two different factors: one allergic, and one non-allergic.
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Allergic forms, as everyone knows, are triggered by exposure to an allergen (pollen, dust, etc.), while non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis are difficult to classify, so much so that until recently they were simply defined as "non-specific" . As explained by Prof. Matteo Gelardi, specialist in otolaryngology, founder and president of AICNA - the Italian Academy of Nasal Cytology, "these rhinitis represent about 15-20% of rhinopathies, and cause many negative effects on the quality of life, but not It is always easy for the doctor to make a precise diagnosis that allows a truly effective treatment ".
Nasal cytology
Bursts of sneezing in the morning, stuffy nose and runny nose frequently suggest an allergic form, but the cause is rather to be found in a cellular problem, identifiable only with an "ancient" but long neglected technique, such as nasal cytology, or the study of the cells of the nasal mucosa.
More precisely, through this investigation we go in search of particular cells of the immune system, which are normally found in the blood, but which release substances capable of perfectly “mimicking” allergic rhinitis when they are present in the nasal mucosa. Prof. Gelardi points out that these non-allergic cellular rhinitis are chronic pathologies that in the long term can lead to more serious disorders, such as the formation of polyps: hence the need to arrive at a timely diagnosis.
My rebellious nose
And precisely to raise awareness among patients, but also specialists, on the importance of a correct diagnostic approach, for two years AICNA has been organizing the National Day "My nose ... rebel": at about fifty rhinological centers throughout Italy, it is It is possible to carry out a free visit and possibly undergo a nasal cytological test, the only test capable of identifying non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis.
What treatments?
Since these are chronic diseases, the therapy will also have to continue throughout life, and usually consists of topical corticosteroids and general antihistamines.
But in association with the "standard" treatment, explains Prof. Gelardi, the use of hyaluronic acid is very useful: several studies have in fact shown that this substance restores the integrity of the mucosa and the so-called "clearance. mucociliary ”, a fundamental mechanism for the health of the respiratory system.
In collaboration with The Portal of Health
