Nasal Blockage (nasal + blockage)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps: the role of generic and specific questionnaires on assessing its impact on patient's quality of life

ALLERGY, Issue 10 2008
I. Alobid
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) including nasal polyps is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa that, despite differing hypotheses of its cause, remains poorly understood. Primary symptoms are nasal blockage, loss of smell, rhinorrhea, and facial pain or pressure. Chronic rhinosinusitis causes significant physical symptoms, has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL), and can substantially impair daily functioning. A global evaluation of patients must include, together with nasal symptoms, nasal endoscopy, and CT scan, the measurement of QoL. To assess QoL in CRS, specific and generic questionnaires may be used. Chronic rhinosinusitis has a considerable impact on a patient's QoL but comorbidities, such as asthma and atopy, have an accumulative negative effect. Both medical and surgical treatments lead to a similar improvement on the QoL of CRS and nasal polyp patients. [source]


Population-based study of non-infectious rhinitis in relation to occupational exposure, age, sex, and smoking

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002
Johan Hellgren MD
Abstract Background Many types of occupational exposure are associated with the risk of non-infectious rhinitis. We investigate the risk factors for this association. Methods A random population of 2,044 subjects (aged 21,51) answered a questionnaire that was comprised of detailed questions on occupational exposure, nasal complaints, and smoking. NIR was defined as the sensation of nasal blockage and/or attacks of sneezing without having a cold. The incidence rates for NIR among exposed and unexposed were calculated. In the different exposed groups, only NIR with onset after the start of exposure was regarded as exposed. If a subject reported NIR before the relevant exposure started, he/she was excluded from that analysis. Relative risks (RR) were calculated as incidence rate ratios. Odds ratios controlling for smoking, age, and atopy were also calculated. Results The incidence rate for NIR was 13.5/1,000 person-years. Males exposed to fire fumes (RR 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5,4.1), women exposed to paper dust (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5,2.9), and male cleaners (RR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9,5.1) displayed an increased risk of developing NIR. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of NIR for both sexes. Conclusion Exposure to several occupational irritants is associated with a higher risk of developing NIR. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:23,28, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Management of bronchiolitis without antibiotics: a multicentre randomized control trial in Bangladesh

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2009
ARML Kabir
Abstract Objective:, To ascertain that antibiotics have no role in the management of bronchiolitis. Design:, Multicentre randomized control trial (RCT). Setting:, Five purposively selected teaching hospitals in Bangladesh. Patient:, Children under 24 months old with bronchiolitis. Interventions:, Children were randomized into three groups of therapeutic interventions: parenteral ampicillin (P-Ab), oral erythromycin (O-Ab) and no antibiotic (N-Ab) in adjunct to supportive measures. Main outcome measures:, Clinical improvement was assessed using 18 symptoms/signs which were graded on a two-point recovery scale of ,rapid' and ,gradual', indicating improvement within ,four days' and ,beyond four days', respectively. Results:, Each intervention group consisted of 98 ± 1 children having comparable clinico-epidemiological characteristics at the baseline. The trial revealed that most chesty features (features appearing to arise from chest, i.e. cough, breathing difficulty, wheeze, chest indrawing, tachypnoea, tachycardia, rhonchi and crepitation) demonstrated a gradual recovery, beyond 4th admission day and, not differing among the three intervention groups (p > 0.23, p < 0.62, p = 0.54, p < 0.27, p = 0.75, p = 0.76, p = 0.81, p > 0.98, respectively). Most non-chesty features (features appearing to arise away from chest, i.e. feeding/sleeping difficulties, social smile, restlessness, inconsolable crying, nasal flaring, fever and hypoxaemia) demonstrated a rapid recovery, within 4 days, remaining comparable among the three intervention groups (p < 0.07, p = 0.65, p = 0.24, p < 0.61, p = 0.22, p = 0.84, p = 0.29 and p = 0.96, respectively). However, nasal symptoms (runny nose and nasal blockage) also showed no difference among groups (p = 0.36 and p = 0.66, respectively). Thus, the dynamics of clinical outcome obviates that children not receiving antibiotics had similar clinical outcome than those who did. Conclusion:, In hospital settings, managing bronchiolitis with only supportive measures but without antibiotics remains preferable. [source]


Increased nasal mucosal swelling in subjects with asthma

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 1 2002
J. Hellgren
Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate nasal mucosal swelling with acoustic rhinometry in subjects with asthma and in healthy controls. Methods We examined 184 individuals with asthma and compared with 156 randomly selected controls outside the pollen season, where 144 subjects in the asthma group and 80 controls had a previous history of non-infectious rhinitis (NIR). Nasal mucosal swelling was assessed with acoustic rhinometry before and after nasal decongestion with oxymetazoline and was analysed for the cross-sectional area (4 cm from the nostril) and the volume between 3.3 and 4 cm from the nostril. Symptom scores for nasal blockage, secretion, itching and sneezing were assessed on a 0,10 visual analogue scale as well as peak nasal inspiratory flow and spirometry. Results Before decongestion there was a decrease in the cross-sectional area at 4 cm (1.32 cm2 vs. 1.59 cm2, mean left + right P = 0.04) and in the volume (1.70 vs. 1.91 cm3P = 0.03) in the asthma group compared with healthy controls. After decongestion there were no significant differences in cross-sectional area at 4 cm (1.66 vs. 1.73 cm2P = 0.32) or volume (2.12 vs. 2.24 cm3P = 0.32). Combined nasal symptom scores were higher in the asthma group (1.8 vs. 0.8, P = 0.0001) and peak nasal inspiratory flow was lower (119 vs. 124 L/min, P = 0.38) than the healthy controls. FEV1 (% predicted) was also lower in asthma group (84 vs. 93%P < 0.0001). Conclusion We have been able to demonstrate an increased nasal mucosal swelling in a population sample of persons with asthma compared to healthy controls. These data support previous reports of a generalized airway inflammation in patients with asthma and suggest that acoustic rhinometry can be used to monitor the nasal mucosal swelling in these patients. [source]