Allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you

breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, dander, or pollen. This article focuses on allergic rhinitis due to outdoor triggers, such as plant pollen. This type of allergic rhinitis is commonly called hay fever. Causes An allergen is something that triggers an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergensuch as pollen or dust, the body releases chemicals, including histamine. This causes allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and mucus production.Hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen. (A similar reaction occurs with allergy to mold, animal dander, dust, and similar inhaled allergens.)The pollens that cause hay fever vary from person to person and from region to region. Tiny, hard to see pollens more often cause hay fever. Examples of plants commonly responsible for hay fever include: y y y Trees (deciduous and evergreen) Grasses Ragweed

The amount of pollen in the air can play a role in whether hay fever symptoms develop. Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to have increased amounts of pollen in the air than cool, damp, rainy days when most pollen is washed to the ground.Some disorders may be associated with allergies. These include eczema and asthma.Allergies are common. Your genes and environment may make you more prone to allergies.Whether or not you are likely to develop allergies is often passed down through families. If both your parents have allergies, you are likely to have allergies. The chance is greater if your mother has allergies Symptoms Symptoms that occur shortly after you come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include: y y y y y Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area Problems with smell Runny nose Sneezing Tearing eyes

Symptoms that may develop later include: y y y y y Stuffy nose (nasal congestion) Coughing Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell Sore throat Dark circles under the eyes

y y y y

Puffiness under the eyes Fatigue and irritability Headache Memory problems and slowed thinking

Sinusitis

Sinusitis means your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain and infection. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting for less than four weeks, or chronic, lasting much longer. Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, pollutants, nasal problems and certain diseases can also cause sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Treatments include antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers. Using heat pads on the inflamed area, saline nasal sprays and vaporizers can also help.

Pharyngitis Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow. Pharyngitis is caused by swelling (inflammation) of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx). Most sore throats are cauesd by a viral infection, such as the cold or flu. Some viruses can cause specific types of sore throat, such as coxsackie infection or mononucleosis.Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis include Group A streptococcus, which leads to strep throat in some cases.Other, less-common bacteria that cause sore throats include corynebacterium, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members. The main symptom is a sore throat. Other symptoms may include: y y y y Fever Headache Joint pain and muscle aches Skin rashes

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils. Causes The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other germs to prevent infection in the body. Strep throat is one cause of tonsilitis. The tonsils may become so overwhelmed by a bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing tonsillitis. The infection may also be present in the throat and areas around it, causing inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and voicebox (larynx). Symptoms y y y y y y y Difficulty swallowing Ear pain Fever, chills Headache Sore throat - lasts longer than 48 hours and may be severe Tenderness of the jaw and throat Voice changes, loss of voice

Peritonsillar Abscess A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues of the throat next to one of the tonsils. An abscess is a collection of pus that forms near an area of infected skin or other soft tissue. The abscess can cause pain, swelling, and, if severe, blockage of the throat. If the throat is blocked, swallowing, speaking, and even breathing become difficult. y y When an infection of the tonsils (known as tonsillitis) spreads and causes infection in the soft tissues, a peritonsillar abscess may result. Peritonsillar abscess is relatively common in adults but rare in infants and young children. Causes of a Peritonsillar Abscess A peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis. The bacteria involved are similar to those that cause strep throat. Streptococcal bacteria most commonly cause an infection in the soft tissue around the tonsils (usually just on one side). The tissue is then invaded by anaerobes (bacteria that can live without oxygen), which enter through nearby glands.

Dental infection (such as the gum infections periodontitis and gingivitis) may be a risk factor. Other risk factors include: y o o o o o Chronic tonsillitis Infectious mononucleosis Smoking Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Stones or calcium deposits in the tonsils (tonsilloliths)

Symptoms of a Peritonsillar Abscess The first symptom of a peritonsillar abscess is usually a sore throat. A period without fever or other symptoms may follow as the abscess develops. It is not unusual for a delay of two to five days between the start of symptoms and abscess formation. y y y y o o o o o o The mouth and throat may show a swollen area of inflammation -- typically on one side. The uvula (the small finger of tissue that hangs down in the middle of the throat) may be shoved away from the swollen side of the mouth. Lymph glands in the neck may be enlarged and tender. Other signs and symptoms may be observed: Painful swallowing Fever and chills Muscle spasm in the muscles of the jaw (trismus) and neck (torticollis) Ear pain on the same side as the abscess A muffled voice, often described as a "hot potato" voice (sounds as if you have a mouthful of hot potato when you talk) Difficulty swallowing saliva Adenoiditis (Lymph Node Inflammation) an inflammation of the adenoid tissue (lymph node tissue) in the back of the nose and throat. The most common cause of the inflammation is an infection. Infections can be caused by bacteria such as group A streptococcus ("strep") or a virus such as infectious mononucleosis. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics and are treated symptomaticall Symptoms Throat pain and swelling, difficulty swallowing, problems breathing, fever.

Laryngitis The larynx is the voice box that allows us to speak, shout, whisper, and sing. The larynx consists of a cartilage skeleton that houses the vocal cords, which are covered by a mucus lining. Muscles inside the larynx adjust the position, shape, and tension of the vocal cords, allowing us to make different sounds. Any change in the air flow (which is generated by the lungs) across the vocal cords will affect the voice and the quality of the sound. The larynx is located at the junction of the mouth and trachea and has a flap-like covering called the epiglottis, whose job it is to prevent food andsaliva from entering the larynx during swallowing. Laryngitis (larynx + itis = inflammation) is an inflammation of the voice box, causing a hoarse or gravellysounding voice or even an inability to speak. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal cords. Most commonly, acutelaryngitis is caused by an infection that inflames the vocal cords. In infants and young children, the classic signs and symptoms of an inflamed larynx include: y y y croup, a hoarse barky cough, and fever.

Similarly, in adults, a viral upper respiratory tract infection may be associated with: y y y runny nose, dry cough, and a loss of voice.

Rarely, since most people are immunized and protected against this infection, diphtheria may cause laryngitis-like symptoms. Laryngitis may also be caused by voice overuse with excess talking, singing, or shouting.