Gentowa

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.

Naso (the nose) manometry (blood pressure) is an examination, which measures the flow of rate of the nose. The measure principle is similar to the spirometry. Even the spirometer, to which a special attachment is added, is used.

A healthy nose is clear and a healthy person breathes usually through it (unless he exerts him/herself). If some illness process obstructs or restricts the flow of nasal rate, the patient breathes through the mouth even while resting, which brings many disadvantages (filtration restrictions and humidifying air, mucosa drying, etc.). Detailed information is provided in the chapter on common cold. The nasometry examination enables to objectify the seriousness of the measured numbers and the nasal obstruction. The patient himself does not have to know about the extent of the obstruction and the one, whose nose is obstructed for a longer period of time, usually does not know about it for sure, since he/she is used to it and thinks that everything is all right in the way it is.

While the nasal examination of both nostrils, two small devices with small hollows are inserted into the nostrils. The devices are connected to a tube, which the air flows in both ways, in and out, through. On the other hand, in comparison with the spirometry, the examined person has closed mouth and breathes only through the nose. One device (it looks like a small olive) is bunged up so that it does not allow breathing through the nostril the device is put in. The rate of flow of both nostrils is measured hence after the half time the devices are exchanged. In the same was as during the spirometry, the device records the air rate of flow of both nostrils and judges the congestion values. The examination is used not only for the common cold obstruction diagnosis, but also for the effect of the treatment evaluation. On more time, the patient himself often does not estimate the health improvement extent (“I can breathe through the nose easier”)

The medical finding of the total obstruction is not rare although the examined person does not know about it.

The first examination should be undergone without the medical treatment.