|
Allergic Rhinitis
This condition occurs when the body’s immune system over-responds to specific, non-infectious particles such as plant pollens, molds, dust mites, animal hair, industrial chemicals (including tobacco smoke), foods, medicines, and insect venom. During an allergic attack, antibodies, primarily immunoglobin E (IgE), attach to mast cells (cells that release histamine) in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. Once IgE connects with the mast cells, a number of chemicals are released. One of the chemicals, histamine, opens the blood vessels and causes skin redness and swollen membranes. When this occurs in the nose, sneezing and congestion are the result.
Click Here For More Information
Deviated Septum
The shape of your nasal cavity could be the cause of chronic sinusitis. The nasal septum is the wall dividing the nasal cavity into halves; it is composed of a central supporting skeleton covered on each side by mucous membrane. The front portion of this natural partition is a firm but bendable structure made mostly of cartilage and is covered by skin that has a substantial supply of blood vessels. The ideal nasal septum is exactly midline, separating the left and right sides of the nose into passageways of equal size.
Estimates are that 80 percent of all nasal septums are off-center, a condition that is generally not noticed. A "deviated septum" occurs when the septum is severely shifted away from the midline. The most common symptom from a badly deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are usually worse on one side, and sometimes actually occur on the side opposite the bend. In some cases the crooked septum can interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, resulting in repeated sinus infections.
Click Here For More Information
Nasal Polyps
In some cases, polyps grow into the nasal passage. They usually originate at the sinus openings. Polyps are like teardrop-shaped collections of inflammatory cells, fluid, and tissue. They are covered by a mucous membrane. They can grow in response to infection, allergy, locations of abnormal contact, or for unknown reasons. When polyps are widespread, it is usually from some underlying mucosal abnormality.
Click Here For More Information
Nosebleeds
Most nosebleeds (epistaxis) are mere nuisances. But some are quite frightening, and a few are even life threatening. Physicians classify nosebleeds into two different types. Anterior nosebleed: Most nosebleeds begin in the lower part of the septum, the semi-rigid wall that separates the two nostrils of the nose. The septum contains blood vessels that can be broken by a blow to the nose or the edge of a sharp fingernail. This type of nosebleed comes from the front of the nose and begins with a flow of blood out one nostril when the patient is sitting or standing. Posterior nosebleed: More rarely, a nosebleed can begin high and deep within the nose and flow down the back of the mouth and throat even if the patient is sitting or standing. Click Here For More Information
Turbinate Reduction
Enlarged inferior turbinates are often the cause of chronic nasal congestion. Even after the underlying problem is addressed, such as chronic infection or allergy, the enlargement may remain. Below is a depiction of the new plasma generator wand. This instrument creates a high energy plasma cloud at its tip and can be used to reduce the size of the inferior turbinate. The Somnus radio-frequency generator, and direct removal are other ways to reduce the turbinate. Different situations call for different methods.
Click Here For More Information
LINKS
|
