Rhinitis Associated with Systemic Disease
Rhinitis may occur as a result of multiple systemic diseases including:
- Thyroid disease
- Migraine
- Kidney failure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Wegener granulomatosis
- Sjogren syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
- Relapsing polychondritis
- Midline granuloma
The most notable association is with thyroid disease. Clinical studies have shown nasal congestion in up to 64% of individuals with hypothyroidism, and complaints of excessive nasal discharge and recurrent colds have been noted in up to 55% of individuals with hypothyroidism.
Chronic nasal symptoms can be caused by a variety of unusual infections including:
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- Leprosy
- Sporotrichosis
- Blastomycocis
- Histoplasmosis
- Coccidioidomycocis
These infections usually cause nasal ulcers and related crust formations which lead to nasal blockage and/or bleeding.
To treat the nasal symptoms associated with these conditions, it is important to treat the underlying disorder. In some circumstances nasal biopsies may be required to make a proper diagnosis.
