By Hazlinda Hamzah
PETALING JAYA, 2 March 2010 - "I don't feel like having a flu, but I have a runny nose," said Darshini (not her real name) one morning on her way to school.
That was a common complain from children, of having that funny feeling, discomfort and itch in their throat, ears and nose.
These irritations and reactions are actually related to a person's allergic reaction to the various airborne particles in the environment around them.
The level of tolerance towards allergens present in the air they breathe is actually differs from one person to the other.
SYMPTOMS OF RHINITIS
The irritation can start with an itch on any part of the body, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and the pre-asthmatic symptom such as wheezing - difficulty in breathing causing the feeling of tightness in the chest accompanied by the unwelcomed cough.
Rhinitis is the condition described above and the remedy suggestions are simple but psychologically working towards reducing the scratchy throat and watery eye problems.
Caused by a particular allergy, the actual allergen would differ between one to the other.
And the best way to determine a person's allergy or allergies would be through blood tests though costly as they happen to be the most accurate.
"They are the non-allergic and allergic types of rhinitis. Often, they are triggered by airborne irritants including weather and temperature change, stress, food and drinks as well as allergens such as pollen and dust," explained Dr Ong Chun Chiang, an ENT consultant.
Those suffering from rhinitis can experience it in three different forms affecting different parts of the body - allergy rhinitis, eczema and asthma.
Dr Ong shared valuable information about rhinitis and sinusitis in an afternoon public health talk, attended by almost 100 people, at the Sime Darby Megah Specialist Centre here recently.
CONTROLLED NOSE BLOWING
"It would also help in situations where nose blowing are concerned.
The harder you blow your nose, the more inflamed the lining behind the nose gets. It causes fluid to continuously flow out," Dr Ong reminded those present.
When a person blows his nose to get rid of the runny nose, they are actually encouraging more mucus to flow down.
An anti-histamine pill is said to be the best remedy and taking it long term, has yet to prove fatal or causing serious effects to the user.
"With exercise, a person with this nose, throat and eye problems, will no longer be dependent on the anti-histamine pills.
The physical exercise will help the secretion to stop," Dr Ong assured.
The pollution level is also a contributing factor as the pollutant filled air is the most important supplier of oxygen to the breathing of living things.
"It is best to leave your bedroom windows opened at night, with the mosquito nets, avoid the dependency on the air conditioning equipment. However, if you stay next to the highway, that is surely impossible as the air is highly polluted near busy roads and industrial areas. Use an ioniser or air humidifier if necessary. It actually works but do get a good and reliable one," he said.
Many sufferers of allergic rhinitis find the problem reduced when holidaying outside the country.
Dr Ong explained that different kinds of allergens are present in different countries, thus there is a possibility that the allergens a person is allergic to in Malaysia is absent from the air in another country.
REMEDY - NASAL SALINE SPRAY
Y.C. Wong, who was present at the health talk shared that he has a blocked nose problem when he sleeps on his sides. The congestion interrupts his much needed rest.
"I know that lack of sleep adds on to my stress level and that makes the rhinitis worse," Wong said.
Dr Ong however views this symptom as common, that does not pose a serious problem to those who suffers from it.
A remedy is definitely available, though.
"This is a sign that the lining is now filled with strains of mucus, congesting the air flow in the nose area. Nasal saline sprays can help. I suggest we keep the steroids away. Salt water spray is good when there is no infection in the nose, washing the mucus away. A product 'Sterimar' can be obtained in the market," the ENT consultant said.
There are two different sized packaging of 'Sterimar' available in various pharmacies at between RM14 to RM28 each.
Antioxidants also help to cure allergies and they are found in abundance in vegetables and fruits.
"Eating a balanced and healthy diet with a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits, can provide one with the much needed supplements in a more natural manner. Vitamins can help but they do not assist in the self regeneration process," advised Dr Ong.
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