From The Straits Times    |

Dr Kenny Pang from the Asia Sleep Centre explains why you can’t sleep properly when you have a sinus allergy in this excerpt from his new Sleep Matters book that will be available from the end of October, 2012.

Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa (lining of the nose) and is characterized by a symptom complex that consists of any combination of the following: sneezing, nose congestion/blocked, unable to breathe through the nose, itching of the nose, and “runny” nose.

The eyes, ears, sinuses, and throat can also be involved. Rhinitis of the nose can be due to (a) the common cold or due to (b) nose allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis). 

Asia Sleep Centre Your sinus allergy affects your sleep quality DECOR

Allergic rhinitis is the most common cause of rhinitis. It is an extremely common condition in Singapore, and is estimated to affect over 30 to 40 per cent of our population. Allergic rhinitis involves inflammation of the skin lining of the nose, eyes, ears, sinuses, and pharynx (mouth).

In terms of immunology, the inflammation of the nose skin lining is due to a complex interaction of inflammatory proteins triggered by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated response to an allergy protein (known as an allergen). The tendency to develop this allergic (IgE-mediated) reaction to allergens (proteins capable of causing an allergic reaction) has a genetic component. 

When the specific protein (eg, a specific pollen grain, or dust mite) is inhaled into the nose, it will bind to the immunoglobulin (IgE) on the mast cells (allergic cells), leading to release of the allergic mediators. These mediators lead to the symptoms of “runny” nose, nose congestion, sneezing, nose itching, redness, tearing, swelling, ear pressure, and postnasal drip.

There are two main phases; the immediate phase and the delayed phase.

The immediate reactions (usually within 20 to 30 mins) in the nose induce acute allergy symptoms (eg, nose itch, clear nose discharge, sneezing, and nose congestion). The late-phase reaction may occur and lasts hours later.

Allergy of the nose can be associated with a number of co-morbid conditions, including asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema/skin allergy), and nasal polyps (swelling in the nose).

According to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines, the relationship between the development of allergic rhinitis (nose allergy) and the development of asthma has been shown to be related and are manifestations of 1 syndrome in two parts of the respiratory tract.

Allergic rhinitis (nose allergy) has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of bronchial asthma, it is well accepted that allergic rhinitis may precede the onset of asthma symptoms and that asthma will not be optimally controlled unless the allergic rhinitis is also effectively managed.

The complications of allergic rhinitis include:

  • otitis media (ear infection)
  • eustachian tube dysfunction (blocked swollen eustachian tube),
  • acute sinusitis,
  • chronic sinusitis and
  • significant impairment of quality of life (such as fatigue and drowsiness)

Symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis include:

  • “runny” nose,
  • nose congestion/blocked,
  • sneezing,
  • nose itching,
  • nose redness,
  • watery eyes,
  • ear pressure, and
  • postnasal drip/constant phlegm in the throat.

“Nose crease” is a horizontal crease across the lower half of the bridge of the nose that is caused by repeated upward rubbing of the tip of the nose by the palm of the hand (ie, the “allergic salute”).

SLEEP QUALITY & NASAL SINUS ALLERGY
Sleep problems are common in people with allergic rhinitis. Many studies have shown that sleep quality is impaired by nasal allergic symptoms and that the degree of impairment is related to the severity of those symptoms. 

In addition, sleep problems are linked with fatigue and daytime sleepiness as well as decreased productivity at work or school, impaired learning and memory, depressed mood, and a reduced quality of life.

Many clinical research studies have shown that allergic rhinitis (nose allergy) is a risk factor for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, especially among children. Snoring and other sleep problems are linked with poor performance in school, lower IQ, and short attention span in school. Parents are urged to pay close attention to sleep symptoms in children with allergic rhinitis.

ALLERGY TESTING
Allergy testing is used for testing reaction to specific allergens which can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and to determine specific allergic triggers. If specific allergic triggers are known, then appropriate avoidance measures can be recommended. The most commonly used methods of determining allergy to a particular substance are allergy skin testing and in vitro (blood test sent to the laboratory) diagnostic tests, such as the radioallergosorbent test (RAST).

Skin testing may be either:
(a) skin prick testing – entails a scratch or a prick on the surface of the skin, in order to observe the immediate phase reaction, which is the wheal (swelling) and/or the erythema (redness); or

(b) intradermal testing – involves injecting the allergen into the skin dermal layer, this test allows the activation of the mast cells (inflammatory cells of allergy).

Blood testing for IgE specific allergen can be done in the laboratory. These tests allow determination of specific IgE to a number of different allergens from one blood sample.  Total serum IgE is the measurement of the total level of IgE in the blood (regardless of specificity).

MANAGEMENT OF SINUS ALLERGIES
According to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines, consists of 4 major categories of treatment:

  1. environmental control measures and allergen avoidance,
  2. pharmacological management,
  3. surgery and
  4. immunotherapy.

ALLERGEN AVOIDANCE
For most patients, the removal of the trigger can have a dramatic effect. Eliminating the trigger may be simple if removal of a feather pillow or blanket is involved; however, it can be very difficult if a family pet needs to be removed.  o reduce dust mites, special allergen-proof covers for pillows and mattresses may be obtained. The important factor is that the covers must be plastic on one side and have a zippered closure. The pillow must be covered, which is more crucial than covering the bed mattress itself because the pillow is where the patient’s head usually spends most of the night. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been shown to help facilitate and clean up the dust mite in your environment.

MEDICATON
Patients may be treated with oral antihistamines, decongestants, or both as needed.  Regular use of an intranasal steroid spray may be more appropriate for patients with chronic persistent symptoms. Daily use of an antihistamine, decongestant, or both can be considered either instead of or in addition to nasal steroids.

SURGERY
Surgery for allergic rhinitis is mainly indicated for patients who have tried medication and who are either unwilling to continue medication or have no effect with medication. This involves mainly reduction of the size of the sinus turbinates and/or correction of the nasal septal deviation. Various techniques are available, from radiofrequency to the turbinates, laser treatment and turbinectomies. These procedures are useful and should used together with allergen avoidance. Surgery is also indicated for complicating conditions, such as chronic sinusitis, severe nasal septal deviation (causing severe obstruction), nasal polyps, or other anatomical abnormalities.

IMMUNOTHERAPY
Immunotherapy (desensitization) is the use of gradual exposure of low dose allergens to the patient (either through skin injections or sublingual/drops given beneath the tongue). This is a long-term process, with therapy up to 2-3 years. Immunotherapy is not without risk because severe systemic allergic reactions can sometimes occur. For these reasons, carefully consider the risks and benefits of immunotherapy in each patient and weigh the risks and benefits of immunotherapy against the risks and benefits of the other management options.

Asia Sleep Centre Sleep Matters book by Dr Kenny PangThis is an excerpt taken from Dr Kenny Pang’s second edition of his book, Sleep Matters, which will be available in all major bookstores by the end of October, 2012. Dr Kenny Peter Pang is an ENT / Sleep Specialist with MBBS, Masters Medicine (ORL), MRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Ireland) (OTO). He is the medical director of the Asia Sleep Centre located at Paragon #18-04. Call 6836 0060 to make an appointment or email drpang@asiasleepcentre.com. For more information about Dr Kenny Pang and the Asia Sleep Centre, go to www.drkennypang.com or www.asiasleepcentre.com.

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