Runny nose
The nose is an organ with two basic functions:
● olfactory
● respiratory
The main respiratory (breathing) function of the nose and the nasal cavity is to provide the transport of the air to the lungs. In addition to that, other important functions include:
● processes of the inhaled air (warming-cooling, humectation)
● enables the resistance against the strong air
● filters the inhaled air
● provides the immunology barrier
In order to provide these “services” the nasal cavity is fit out with the complex structure. The nasal mucosa is able to make itself thinner and rougher hence it has an important influence on the air rate of flow resistance. The nasal resistance can alter from the slight to complex obstruction. The changes of the nasal mucosa thickness are influenced by the vascular system, too. The nasal mucosa contains a large amount of the mucous glands, which humidify the inhaled air. The nose noticeably prevents the lungs from the flow of the inhaled parts. It is able to remove the pollen grains of 15-30μm almost complex and enables the reduction the mites allergens of approximately 5μm up to 50%. The soluble chemicals can be removed from the inhaled air by being dissolved in the mucous.
The nose plays its role in the defensive line of the immune mechanisms, as well. By the collecting and the phagocytic process it liquidates a part of the microorganisms. The mucosa consists of lyzozymes; there is also immunoglobulin, especially the phlegmy IgA together with the phagocytes, there. On the other hand it is full of mastocytes, which play a negative role in allergic people lives.
What is a common cold (runny nose)?
The common cold (rhinitis) is defined as the nasal mucosa inflammation, which is characterised by one or more symptoms:
● nasal obstruction
● secretion
● sneezing
● nasal itch
While taking the symptoms into consideration, it can be difficult to distinguish the infectious cold from the allergic one. No diagnosis can be usually made only from the clinical count without anamnestic data and a special allergist examination. Similar problems can be brought about by polyps, anatomic mechanic factors, swellings and tumours and in the case of small children by foreign bodies (beans, bullets, peas).
The nasal cavities, which enable the air circulation, relate anatomically to the nose. When somebody suffers an allergy, they are usually affected by the allergic inflammation, as well. Sinusitis itself, as this disease is called, is usually a symptom of an allergy.
Tags: immunology barrier, inhaled air, nasal itch, nasal obstruction, olfactory, respiratory, runny nose, secretion, sneezing