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+91 99454 88546

Investigations For Allergy

Investigations For Allergy

INVESTIGATIONS FOR ALLERGY

For allergic rhinitis and asthma, several investigations aid in diagnosis and treatment planning. Here are some common investigations:

  • Skin Prick Test: This involves placing small amounts of common allergens on the skin and observing for allergic reactions like redness or swelling.

  • Allergy Blood Tests (Serum IgE): Measures specific antibodies in the blood to identify allergens causing allergic reactions.

  • Nasal Endoscopy:Using a thin tube with a camera to examine the nasal passages for signs of inflammation or polyps.

  • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs):Measures lung function, including spirometry to assess airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

  • Peak Flow Measurement: Measures the maximum speed of exhalation to monitor airway function at home.

  • Chest X-ray or CT PNS: Helps rule out other nose/sinus pathology or lung conditions in severe asthma cases.

  • CRD: Component resolved diagnostics (CRD) is an advanced allergy testing method that identifies specific molecular components of allergens, providing detailed information about an individual's allergic sensitivities beyond traditional allergy tests.

  • FORCED OSCILLATION TECHNIQUE: FOT, or Forced Oscillation Technique, is a newest, non-invasive method used to assess lung function by measuring respiratory impedance, providing valuable information about airway resistance in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

  • Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Test:Measures nitric oxide in exhaled breath, aiding in asthma diagnosis and monitoring airway inflammation.

These investigations, combined with medical history, physical examinations, and symptom assessment, assist healthcare professionals in accurately diagnosing allergic rhinitis and asthma, facilitating appropriate treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

Symptoms

Nasal polyps are associated with irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses that lasts more than 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis).

However, it’s possible to have chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps themselves are soft and lack sensation, so if they’re small, you may not be aware you have them. Multiple growths or a large polyp may block your nasal passages and sinuses.

Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:

  • A runny nose
  • Persistent Stuffiness
  • Postnasal Drip
  • Decreased or absent sense of smell
  • Loss of sense of taste
  • Facial pain or headache
  • Pain in your upper teeth
  • A sense of pressure over your forehead and face
  • Snoring
  • Frequent Nosebleeds

Risk Factors

Any condition that triggers long-term irritation and swelling (inflammation) in your nasal passages or sinuses, such as infections or allergies, may increase your risk of developing nasal polyps.

Conditions often associated with nasal polyps include:

  • Asthma, a disease that causes the airway to swell (inflame) and narrow
  • Aspirin sensitivity
  • Allergic fungal sinusitis, an allergy to airborne fungi
  • Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that results in abnormally thick, sticky fluids in the body, including thick mucus from nasal and sinus linings
  • Churg-Strauss syndrome (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis), a rare disease that causes the inflammation of blood vessels
  • Vitamin D deficiency, which occurs when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D

Your family history also may play a role. There’s some evidence that certain genetic variations associated with immune system function make you more likely to develop nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps can cause complications because they block normal airflow and fluid drainage, and also because of the long-term irritation and swelling (inflammation) underlying their development.

Potential complications include:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea: This is a potentially serious condition in which you stop and start breathing frequently during sleep.
  • Asthma Flare-Ups: Chronic sinusitis can worsen asthma.
  • Sinus Infections: Nasal polyps can make you more susceptible to sinus infections that recur often.