I Have Acute Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Acute Pharyngitis And A Respiratory Disorder

Brief Answer:
Damage to nasal mucosa due to exposure to the smoke and toxins in the air

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

I have gone through the query and understood your problem. I will try my best to help you.

1. Exposure to hot and dry climate, smoke and other chemicals can cause damage to the nasal mucosa, there in, causing myriad of symptoms.

2. Damage to the nasal mucosa can traumatise the sensitive hair like structures called cilia. The damage thus caused will hamper the clearance of the nasal secretions leading to the stasis of the same, followed by infection.

3. Exposure to the above atmosphere for a long duration can lead to allergic rhinitis.

4. Do not worry! With appropriate measures and medications most of your symptoms can be taken care of.

5. My suggestions to you are:
- Use humidifier at home in order to keep the nasal mucosa moist
- Use saline nasal spray (0.9%) as frequently as possible; to help in easy clearance of the nasal secretions
- Saline nasal ointment should be used 3-4 times to help in regeneration of the nasal mucosa
- A steroid nasal spray such as Mometasone or Fluticasone is necessary to reduce the nasal allergy
- Drink frequent sips of XXXXXXX warm water, to keep you well hydrated
- Avoid sleeping in front of the A/C or directly under the fan
- Avoid smoking (if any), coffee and chilled food and beverages for few days, till you recover completely

Hope this answers your query: revert back to me if you have any follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

---

Brief Answer:
According to your claim 100% of your symptoms started after the exposure...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Before Iraq I did not have these respiratory issues. All these respiratory/breathing issues started after my tour in Iraq.

- According to your words, these symptoms of yours started only after you toured Iraq. Hence, 100% of your symptoms is attributed to the pollution inside Iraq.

2. In general, the major components of air pollution are
- Nitrogen dioxide - due to combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, hydrocarbons, etc.
- Suspended solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere
- Sulphur dioxide

According to World Health Organisation report more than 91% of the urban population are affected by this pollution. Most air pollutants cause the muscles in airways to contract, narrowing the airway (airway hyperreactivity). In the nose, there can be damage to the nasal mucosa due to dry weather combined with presence of toxins in the atmosphere.

Hence, long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function.

After exposure, it would take several days to recover from these side-effects with appropriate measures and medications.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

---

Brief Answer:
According to your claim 100% of your symptoms started after the exposure...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Before Iraq I did not have these respiratory issues. All these respiratory/breathing issues started after my tour in Iraq.

- According to your words, these symptoms of yours started only after you toured Iraq. Hence, 100% of your symptoms is attributed to the pollution inside Iraq.

2. In general, the major components of air pollution are
- Nitrogen dioxide - due to combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, hydrocarbons, etc.
- Suspended solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere
- Sulphur dioxide

According to World Health Organisation report more than 91% of the urban population are affected by this pollution. Most air pollutants cause the muscles in airways to contract, narrowing the airway (airway hyperreactivity). In the nose, there can be damage to the nasal mucosa due to dry weather combined with presence of toxins in the atmosphere.

Hence, long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function.

After exposure, it would take several days to recover from these side-effects with appropriate measures and medications.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

---

Brief Answer:
Majority of your symptoms are due to pollutants exposure...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Before Iraq I did not have these respiratory issues. All these respiratory/breathing issues started after my tour in Iraq.

- According to your words, these symptoms of yours started only after you toured Iraq. That implies, more than 50% of your symptoms is due to the pollution exposure when staying in Iraq.

2. In general, the major components of air pollution are
- Nitrogen dioxide - due to combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, hydrocarbons, etc.
- Suspended solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere
- Sulphur dioxide

According to World Health Organisation report more than 91% of the urban population are affected by this pollution. Most air pollutants cause the muscles in airways to contract, narrowing the airway (airway hyperreactivity). In the nose, there can be damage to the nasal mucosa due to dry weather combined with presence of toxins in the atmosphere.

Hence, long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function.

After exposure, it would take several days to recover from these side-effects with appropriate measures and medications.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

---

Brief Answer:
Majority of your symptoms are due to pollutants exposure...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Before Iraq I did not have these respiratory issues. All these respiratory/breathing issues started after my tour in Iraq.

- According to your words, these symptoms of yours started only after you toured Iraq. That implies, more than 50% of your symptoms is due to the pollution exposure when staying in Iraq.

2. In general, the major components of air pollution are
- Nitrogen dioxide - due to combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, hydrocarbons, etc.
- Suspended solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere
- Sulphur dioxide

According to World Health Organisation report more than 91% of the urban population are affected by this pollution. Most air pollutants cause the muscles in airways to contract, narrowing the airway (airway hyperreactivity). In the nose, there can be damage to the nasal mucosa due to dry weather combined with presence of toxins in the atmosphere.

Hence, long-term exposure to air pollution may increase respiratory infections and symptoms of respiratory disorders (such as cough and difficulty breathing) and decrease lung function.

After exposure, it would take several days to recover from these side-effects with appropriate measures and medications.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

---