Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
January 2007
Fast Facts: Rhinitis
by Glenis K Scadding, Wytske J Fokkens
Allergic diseases have been described as a modern epidemic, with over 20% of the population suffering from allergic rhinitis, asthma or atopic eczema. Of these diseases, allergic rhinitis is the most common and the most underdiagnosed and wrongly treated.The effects of the symptoms of rhinitis, allergic or otherwise, on quality of life are well documented. While severely affected individuals are treated by a variety of specialists depending on the presenting condition, the majority are seen by generalists. This short and very practical text has been written specifically for this group so that treatment can be optimised and referral decisions made easier. Table of contents: Introduction Allergy: an increasing problem Allergens Pathogenesis Classification of allergic rhinitis Seasonal allergic rhinitis Non-allergic rhinitis Diagnosing rhinitis Therapeutic principles Rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps Comorbidities and complications of allergic rhinitis Future trends
