Can allergic rhinitis trigger asthma?

Allergic rhinitis is usually a symptom caused by allergies, and allergic rhinitis can trigger asthma. Because the upper and lower respiratory tracts may be affected by the common inflammatory process at the same time, allergic rhinitis can trigger asthma and must be treated scientifically.

1. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are both allergic inflammations, but the locations of the lesions are different. Allergic rhinitis mainly occurs in the nasal cavity of the upper respiratory tract, while asthma occurs in the bronchi of the lungs. In general, both the upper and lower respiratory tracts may be affected by a common inflammatory process, which may persist or develop through interconnected mechanisms.

2. Nasal bronchial reflex: Specific stimulation of the nasal mucosa can affect the tension of the bronchus. Allergen stimulation of the nasal cavity of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis will increase airway responsiveness; lower respiratory tract provocation tests can also cause nasal mucosal inflammation.

3. Changes in breathing patterns: When allergic rhinitis occurs, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing, which can increase the direct stimulation of dry and cold air and various allergens on the respiratory tract, causing lower respiratory tract inflammation and asthma.

4. During sleep, the inflammatory secretions from posterior nasal drip are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract, which increases bronchial reactivity. This may be one of the important mechanisms for some rhinitis combined with asthma, especially nocturnal asthma.

5. Inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and mast cells involved in the development of allergic rhinitis, as well as a large number of cytokines and adhesion molecules, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.