Allergic rhinitis is so uncomfortable! Be careful, prolonged mouth breathing can affect your appearance.

With autumn approaching, many people wake up sneezing uncontrollably, experiencing runny noses and itchy eyes, making it difficult to concentrate on studying or working. Despite not having a cold, they disrupt their daily routines. Doctors say this is typical of allergic rhinitis. Besides a runny nose, some patients experience nasal congestion, often leading to mouth breathing, which can cause dry mouth, pharyngitis, or respiratory infections. In children, prolonged mouth breathing can potentially affect facial development and impact appearance.

Dr. Huang Tong-cun, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, explained that the nasal cavity is the first point of entry for air into the body and the first line of defense for the respiratory tract. When the inhaled air contains substances that cause inflammation or irritate the nasal mucosa, sneezing and runny nose may occur. This is an immune defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful substances.

Huang Tongcun explained that for people with allergies, abnormal defense mechanisms can cause the nasal cavity to be in a state of persistent chronic inflammation. Even with substances that are not obviously harmful, symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose will frequently occur. This is the cause of allergic rhinitis. The substances that cause abnormal allergic reactions in the nasal cavity are called allergens.

Allergic rhinitis commonly presents with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy nose, itchy eyes, and itchy throat. In Taiwan, common allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander (such as cat and dog fur), mold, and pollen. Huang Tongcun stated that in addition to nasal symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy nose, some patients may also experience headaches, decreased or lost sense of smell, and nosebleeds. In severe cases, it can affect mood, sleep, schooling, or work, leading to decreased concentration and impacting quality of life.

In addition, due to nasal congestion, patients often breathe through their mouths, which can easily lead to dry mouth, pharyngitis, or respiratory infections. If children breathe through their mouths for a long time, it may affect facial development and appearance in severe cases. Patients with severe allergic rhinitis may develop complications such as sinusitis, nasal polyps, otitis media, worsening asthma, and sleep apnea, which should not be ignored.

October 4, 2016, 08:58, United Daily News reporter Peng Xuanya/Instant report

Article source:United Daily News