The Relationship Between Asthma And Rhinitis

The relationship between asthma and rhinitis has been known for a long time in medicine. It is not uncommon for a patient with asthma to show symptoms of rhinitis in the spring and vice versa.

But why does this natural relationship exist? For some researchers, it stems from the immune system. For others  , the explanation is a similar form of mucous membrane in the airways, which is shared between the bronchi and the nose.

What is rhinitis?

It is inflammation of the lining of the nose. It may be a reaction to several etiological substances, but the end result is almost always an increase in its size by accumulation of fluid and inflamed cells, all of which are based on external substances or an internal stimulus.

There is infectious and non-infectious rhinitis. In the first case, the microorganism penetrates the nose and infects it. It can be either a virus or a bacterium. The body responds to colonization and sets in motion mechanisms to excrete the penetrating substance. This is what determines the inflammation.

The most common non-infectious rhinitis is the type of allergy that is more common in patients with asthma. The external substance, neither a virus nor a bacterium, is a particle that the immune system recognizes as foreign,  so it rejects it. Pollen is usually one of the causes in certain seasons.

What is asthma?

Asthmatic bronchitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi with overreaction in the bronchi. This means that the airways close suddenly and prevent the normal flow of air in addition to the inflammatory process.

This disorder is on the list of obstructive and chronic respiratory disorders. It develops in the form of acute episodes in the long run. Certain triggers such as colds and infections are more common in the winter. This is the season when people are most affected by it.

Doctors usually diagnose the disorder at a young age. These children experience either bronchospasm when they are physically active or when temperatures drop. First  , doctors treat them with inhalers to evaluate its development. If the crisis recurs, they subsequently diagnose asthma.

It is not always equally serious and its development is not linear. Thus, there are people with mild forms of this disorder who may only have one seizure a year, while others go through an almost constant state of shortness of breath.

Causes of the relationship between asthma and rhinitis

There are many different explanations for why patients with asthma often suffer from rhinitis. Estimates indicate that up to 75% of them go through a period of inflammation of the lining of the nose. Conversely, people diagnosed with rhinitis have bronchospasm in 40% of cases. Let us look at some theories about this connection.

Air conditions

One of the explanations for why people with rhinitis also have asthma is the lack of adequate flow of air through the nose. There is inflammation of the mucous membrane, so these patients prefer to breathe through the mouth. This is because it prevents the air from getting humid and heated.

Therefore, when cold air reaches the bronchi, the airways tend to constrict because this current is identified as harmful. Several scientific studies have revealed that blockages in the bronchi increase when it is cold, for example in winter.

Communication between the mucous membranes

Research in both directions shows the relationship between all parts of the mucous membranes of the airways. It is likely that the cells in the bronchi will react in a way if a person gets allergenic substances into the nose. Conversely, the lining of the nose overcompensates when the lower airways contract.

Part of the pathophysiological mechanism is in the nerve communication and in the reactivity of the blood vessels. This is what seems to be behind asthma induced by exercise, mediated by the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine caused by stimuli in sports.

These neurotransmitters connect asthma and rhinitis by causing a blockage of the blood vessels. Through the mucous membranes of the airways, this narrowing reduces blood circulation and the ability to respond to external substances.

The immune system and the relationship between asthma and rhinitis

Eosinophilic granulocytes are a special type of white blood cell. They play a special role in mediating allergic reactions throughout the body. Researchers actually know their role in both asthma and rhinitis.

We assume that they are similar mechanisms, so it makes sense to assume that allergic reactions share the common path for these cells,  and that an increase in them in situations against external substances is the key.

In addition, the substances for inflammation are not static, but rather they take advantage of the blood circulation to be able to move. They can thus go from the nose to the bronchi.

Asthma and rhinitis: Similar but different

Finally, we can explain the relationship between asthma and rhinitis through different hypotheses, but that does not mean that they are the same disorder. The drugs used for the treatment are the same, although the approach is not the same.

It is essential for physicians to be able to distinguish one disorder from another so that they can prescribe the correct form of treatment. In any case , patients with asthma must learn to deal with bouts of rhinitis, as they have a high probability of being affected by it.