Asthma is a chronic disease in which a person’s bronchial passages, or airways, are swollen and sensitive. This inflammation means that allergic reactions may be more severe, and may make breathing much more difficult. An asthma attack, or episode, can have many triggers including allergies, infections, pollutants, exercise and weather. Symptoms may include:
There are two general types of rhinitis: allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. In the discussion below, we will focus only on allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis is almost always caused by allergens. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies these allergens as potential intruders, prompting the body to release a substance known as histamine. The histamine may cause inflammation in the nasal lining, which in turn makes the nose sensitive to smoke, strong odors, or to temperature changes.
Allergic rhinitis may be caused by common outdoor allergens that include airborne pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds, as well as various molds. This is called seasonal allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever". Allergic rhinitis may also be caused by indoor allergens, such as animal dander, indoor mold, or dust mites. This is called perennial allergic rhinitis. Symptoms of both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis include:
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