Age-related immune system dysfunction and inflammatory cell signals are prevalent in the geriatric population. Which is more responsible for rhinitis and post-nasal drip, and what other factors may be involved?
Ana: The first factor I can think of is the reduced production of immunoglobulin A (IgA) by the mucosal glands along the nasal track. The second is the fact that nerve cells from the brain extend their axons/synapses to the nasal area not only for detecting smell but also other chemicals. Aging certainly reduced these functions. There are a lot of papers on the latter topic which you can explore in your study, but not much on the former one. Good luck.
Dear Ana
Rhinitis is defined as inflammation of the nasal mucosa and is characterized by symptoms of congestion, rhinorrhea, itching of the nose, postnasal drip, and sneezing. It can be divided broadly into two major categories: allergic and nonallergic. Allergic rhinitis is an IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal passageways triggered by various allergens such as dust, pollens, or molds. Nonallergic rhinitis is characterized by non-IgE-mediated symptoms typical of rhinitis, such as congestion and clear rhinorrhea, with less prominence of sneezing and ocular/nasal pruritis. I suggest that article; for reading ( Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2010; 6(1): 10. ).
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