I came to Doctor Devi a year ago with sinus headaches, shortness of breath, coughing, runny nose and wheezing. Within the first two months, my sinus headaches were reduced by almost 90 percent. The coughing and wheezing are virtually all gone. Now, we are working on eliminating allergy symptoms. I have been very pleased with her treatment and I have recommended her to many others.
Jim Ashley
Anaheim, CA
Survey reveals condition affects patients’ productivity
(Source: Gulf News, Published: March 15, 2012, By Janice Ponce De Leon, Staff Report)
Dubai: Regular sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, cough, and headaches — these are just symptoms of allergic rhinitis which affects one in three adults in the UAE.
But beyond these symptoms lie burdens patients carry, and the numbers of affected people are projected to increase, doctors have warned.
Around the world, an estimated 400 million people are affected by this disease. And by 2020, a recent study predicted that one in two people up to 14 years of age worldwide may be affected.
The term “rhinitis” is used to describe nasal inflammation that results in rhinorrhea (colloquially known as “runny nose”), congestion, nasal itch, sneezing, postnasal drainage, and in some patients, ocular symptoms such as watering eyes. It represents one of the most frequently encountered chronic conditions for which medical care is sought.
Allergic rhinitis takes two different forms seasonal and perennial. Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis occur in spring, summer, and/or early fall and are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollen from trees, grasses or weeds, or to airborne mold spores.
Other people experience symptoms year-round, a condition called “perennial allergic rhinitis.” It’s generally caused by sensitivity to house dust, house dust mites, animal dander, and/or mold spores. Underlying or hidden food allergies are considered a possible cause of perennial nasal symptoms.
Some people may experience both types of rhinitis, with perennial symptoms worsening during specific pollen seasons. As will be discussed later, there are also other causes of rhinitis.
Some known complications include ear infections, sinusitis, recurrent sore throats, cough, headache, fatigue, irritability, altered sleep patterns, and poor school performance.
Occasionally, children may develop altered facial growth and orthodontic problems. Allergy treatment can eliminate or alleviate most of these problems.
There is a vast array of over-the-counter and prescription medications for treating hay fever symptoms. Some patients may find that a combination of two or three medications works much better than just one.
It is important for parents to remember that some hay fever medications are just for adults. If you are not sure, talk to a qualified pharmacist, or ask your doctor.
These are commonly available over the counter. The medication stops the release of the chemical histamine. They usually effectively relieve symptoms of runny nose, itching, and sneezing. However, if your nose is blocked they don’t work. Newer antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness than older ones – but older ones are just as effective.
These reduce itching and swelling in the eyes and are usually used alongside other medications. Eye drops containing cromoglycate are commonly used.
These sprays treat the inflammation caused by hay fever and are safe and very effective long-term treatment. Most patients may have to wait about a week before experiencing any significant benefits. Some patients may notice an unpleasant smell or taste and have nose irritation.
For very severe hay fever symptoms the doctor may prescribe prednisone in pill form. They should be prescribed only for short-term use, because of their long-term link to cataracts, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis.
Another medical treatment is Immunotherapy (allergy shots) which is a proven treatment approach providing long-term relief for many people suffering from allergic rhinitis. It works by gradually desensitizing the patient’s immune system to the allergens that trigger their symptoms.
If your allergies bother you a lot and you cannot avoid the things you are allergic to, immunotherapy may help prevent or reduce your symptoms. To have this treatment, you first need to know what you are allergic to. However, immunotherapy can potentially lead to lasting remission of allergy symptoms, and it may play a preventive role in the development of asthma and new allergies.
One of the best things you can do is to avoid the things that cause your allergies. You may need to clean your house often to get rid of dust, animal dander, or molds. Or you may need to stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
“Decongestant nasal sprays should be avoided, especially in the long term, as they can cause rebound congestion and reduced efficacy over repeated use. Anti-histamines (to treat allergy) can be used, but one has to be aware of their potential side effects like drowsiness, weight gain and, in rare cases, heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat),” – Dr. Michael Loubser.
Allergic rhinitis is not a serious and difficult disease, but it significantly affects the quality of life and can cause a number of other problems: fatigue, irritability, difficulty in social relationships. You can help yourself by avoiding allergens.
Non-allergic rhinitis is an extremely frustrating sinonasal disorder that is characterized by all the same symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, but NOT due to sinusitis or allergies. Rather, I consider non-allergic rhinitis to be the over-sensitive nose syndrome whereby breathing in air containing particulates (whether smoke, perfume, dust, pollen, etc) PHYSICALLY irritates the nose causing symptoms.
Non-allergic rhinitis, or vasomotor rhinitis, describes a group of other causes of rhinitis, with symptoms not caused by infection or allergy. Many people have recurrent or chronic nasal congestion, excess mucus production, itching, and other nasal symptoms similar to those of allergic rhinitis, but the disorder is not caused by the allergy.
Some people are very sensitive to sudden changes in weather or temperature. Skiers often develop a runny nose, but in some people, any cold exposure may cause a runny nose. Others start sneezing when leaving a cold, air-conditioned room.
These factors are not allergens, do not induce the formation of allergic antibodies, and do not produce positive skin test reactions. Occasionally, one or two positive skin tests may be observed, but they do not match with the history and are not relevant or significant.
Treatment for non-allergic rhinitis often depends on the cause of the condition.
In some cases, such as when rhinitis is caused by a viral infection, treatment may not be necessary. This is because the infection responsible for the condition normally clears up within a week or two.
If something specific seems to be triggering your symptoms, you may be advised to avoid possible triggers. For example, it may help to avoid exposure to smoky or polluted environments.
If your rhinitis is believed to be caused by a medication you’re taking, such as beta-blockers, your GP may be able to prescribe an alternative medication to see if it helps to reduce your symptoms. Don’t stop taking any prescribed medication unless advised to by a doctor.
Some cases of non-allergic rhinitis are caused by overusing nasal decongestant sprays. In these cases, the best treatment is to stop using these sprays. However, this can be difficult, particularly if you’ve been using them for some time.
Try not using the spray in your least congested nostril first. After seven days this nostril should open up, at which point you should try to stop using the spray in your other nostril.
It may also help to rinse your nose using a saltwater solution (see below) and take antihistamine tablets that cause drowsiness to reduce night-time congestion and help you sleep.
Some specialists try to gradually switch your spray from a decongestant (which is harmful in the long term) to a steroid spray (which generally can be used for longer periods).
In many cases of non-allergic rhinitis, rinsing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution can be helpful. This is known as nasal irrigation or nasal douching.
Rinsing your nasal passages helps wash away any excess mucus or irritants inside your nose, which can reduce inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
Nasal irrigation can be done using either a homemade solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy. Small syringes or pots (which often look like small horns or teapots) are also available to help flush the solution around the inside of your nose.
To make the solution at home, mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiling water that’s been left to cool to around body temperature (don’t attempt to rinse your nose while the water is still hot). To rinse your nose:
While you do this, some solution may pass into the throat through the back of the nose. Although the solution is harmless if swallowed, try to spit out as much of it as possible.
Nasal irrigation can be carried out several times a day and a fresh solution should be made each time.
Various types of nasal spray are available to help relieve the symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis. These include:
Many of these sprays can be bought over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription. Therefore, it’s important to check the leaflet that comes with them before use, because they’re not suitable for everyone.
Rhinitis is common. It can affect anyone of any age although it affects adults more commonly than children. It is becoming increasingly common in older people. Many people with persistent rhinitis say they have a persistent cold. However, colds are due to viral infections and normally only last a week or so. Persistent rhinitis is not due to an infection.
Allergic rhinitis (be it hay fever or persistent rhinitis) tends to run in families. You are also more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if you already have asthma or eczema. Equally, if you have allergic rhinitis, you are more likely to develop eczema or asthma. The conditions of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis are known together as atopic conditions or atopy. A tendency to atopy can run in families.
Consult your physician. Sometimes several conditions can coexist in the same person. In a single individual, allergic rhinitis could be complicated by vasomotor rhinitis, septal deviation (curvature of the bone separating the two sides of the nose) or nasal polyps. Use of spray decongestants for chronic sinusitis, septal deviation or vasomotor rhinitis may cause rhinitis medicamentosa.
Any of these conditions will be made worse by catching a cold. Nasal symptoms caused by more than one problem can be difficult to treat, often requiring the cooperation of an allergist-immunologist and an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist).
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, take a medical history and possibly recommend one or both of the following tests:
Causes of allergic rhinitis can be tested by NTT (Nambudripad’s Testing Techniques) and treated very effectively with a non-invasive holistic approach known as NAET. (Source: NAET Official Website)
Most people suffering from Rhinitis feel better in warm, sunny weather because cold, damp weather patterns frequently cause the patient to feel chills. As a result, most of them require more bedding and warmer clothing.
Many patients with pollen allergies will also be allergic to certain foods, as well as to other inhalants and contactants (any substance that might induce an allergy by coming in contact with the skin or a mucous membrane). Other than pollen and grasses, the most common items found to cause hay fever are: sugar, carob, corn, wheat, beans, pineapple, tomato, banana, perfume, furniture, cats, dogs, feathers, kapok, dust, plastics, rubber, and leather.
It is extremely important that hay fever and rhinitis sufferers consult an appropriate allergist knowledgeable in NAET when their symptoms begin. These conditions have a tendency to become increasingly severe with each severe attack. Untreated patients are also likely to accumulate new allergens, as well as encounter increased sensitivity.
Rhinitis may also be caused by other substances including house dust, cigarette smoke, strong perfume, chemical sprays, household cleaning chemicals, occupational dusts (such as flour, silica, cement and metallic dusts, industrial dust), chalk powder, marker-inks, coloring crayons, newspaper, copying paper, recycled paper, newspaper-ink, house-paint, water and oil-based paints, crude oil, formaldehyde, cosmetic agents, soaps, perfumes, and other chemical agents.
Prompt treatment of these allergies greatly decreases the likelihood that a comparatively mild allergic manifestation, such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, will develop into a more severe allergy, such as asthma.
By clearing all your environmental, heavy metal and food allergies from the protocol, we strengthen the immune system, improve digestion and absorption. This allows the body to get the necessary nutrients, which are essential for life. without causing any reactions.
One allergen is cleared per visit. Each individual has a different genetic makeup and health history so the number of sessions required varies from one individual to another. For some people, allergens are cleared immediately however, for others it may take many sessions to accomplish the desired results.
Some people might raise their eyebrows and ask, “Can you really eliminate my Rhinitis?” We answer with a resounding “YES!”
Evaluation may reveal energy interference in the lung, stomach, spleen, and large intestine meridians. Allergic rhinitis can be eliminated in most cases when the allergens are identified and desensitized.
I suffered from hay fever since the age of twelve, ever since I moved to Norwalk, California. Dr. Devi treated me for my allergy to yeast, pollens, grasses, flowers, perfumes, and mold. I have been totally symptom-free for the past 13 years.
Janna Gossen
La Mirada, CA
Connect with us through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NAETDubai or visit: www.naetdubai.com. You will find a wealth of information here along with an opportunity to speak confidentially through WhatsApp 056-639 0197 or Phone Call 04-420 1633.
You may also email us at admin@naetdubai.com
Dubai offers a holistic approach to wellness, considering weight loss, gut health, mental well-being, and…
Your allergies might not be solely to blame. Stress, that sneaky saboteur, can actually worsen…
It began subtly, a mere tickle in the back of my throat, easily ignored. But…
Uncover the intricate link between food intolerances and anxiety. Explore how our immune system, mast…
As a doctor, I've always been intrigued by the science behind various health conditions, and…
Air Duct Toxins: Are You Unknowingly Exposed to Zearalenone? We regularly service our AC, but…
View Comments
Thank you for your comment :) . Feel free to contact us if you need any further information. Please don’t forget to subscribe to our blog and you will receive mails once we published new blogs.
Thank you :) We are looking forward to hearing from you on our next blogs.
Thank you for your comment :) . Please don’t forget to subscribe to our blog and you will receive mails once we published new blogs. Feel free to contact us if you need any further information. Cheers!
Hi Delmar, thank you so much for visiting and commenting to our blog. Please don’t forget to subscribe to our blog and you will receive mails once we published new blogs. Feel free to contact us if you need any further information. ????