Nasal symptoms pose a significant burden on the health of older people that requires an attention to improve the quality of life. Several mechanisms likely underlie the pathogenesis of rhinitis in these patients. These include inflammatory conditions followed by the influence of aging on nasal physiology and the potential for interaction between the two. This article overviews the presence of rhinitis in the geriatric population.
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa characterized by symptoms of congestion, rhinorrhea with itching of the nose, nasal drip, and sneezing. In the geriatric population, interpretation of this symptom complex includes crusting within the nose, cough, excessive drainage, olfactory loss, and nasal dryness. Allergic rhinitis is an IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal passageways triggered by various allergens such as dust, pollens, or molds.…
