Experts advise precautions against allergic rhinitis

88% of pediatric AR patients have sleep disorders

Islamabad

With the onset of the allergy season in Pakistan, health experts have advised a number of precautionary measures against the most common allergy in Pakistan, Allergic Rhinitis (AR) or Hay Fever, which is affecting 24.62% of Pakistanis.

Addressing a press briefing, Dr. Jawwad Ahmed, associate surgeon ENT at Capital Hospital, said the presence of AR often precedes the development of asthma. AR occurs when one breathes in something to which one is allergic, and the inside of the nose becomes inflamed and swollen. It is clinically defined as a symptomatic disorder of the nose and is characterised by nasal symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, and nasal blockage and/or itching of the nose. It is often associated with ocular symptoms.

“AR is an important health problem because its prevalence impacts a patient’s social life, performance, and work productivity. The symptoms of AR are not limited to the physical effects on the nose and eyes, but also involve adverse consequences to quality of life, including psychological well-being and the ability to learn and process cognitive input,” Dr. Jawwad added.

According to Dr. Jawwad, mixed cases of rhinitis and asthma (24.86%) and allergic rhinitis alone (24.01%) were the major allergic disorders in Punjab. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, mixed cases of rhinitis and asthma (21.89%) and bronchial asthma alone (26.69%) were the first and second most common allergic diseases. Allergic rhinitis was on top (27.92%) in Sindh, the expert informed.

Dr. Safdar Nawaz, associate professor at Social Security Hospital said AR reduces learning ability in children; 88% of pediatric AR patients have sleep disorders. AR is triggered by allergens, which can be found both outdoors and indoors. “When AR is caused by outdoor allergens such as molds or trees, grass and weed pollens, it is often referred to as seasonal allergy, or hay fever,” he said. AR may also be triggered by allergens found in the home, such as animal dander, indoor mold, or house dust mites. He said the goal of the treatment of AR is to improve a patient’s wellbeing or quality of life.

AR represents a global health problem that has been shown to lead to substantial impairment of quality of life in adults and children.