Rhinitis is the inflammation of the lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). The most common symptoms are a blocked, runny and itchy nose. Rhinitis can be: • allergic – either seasonal (hay fever) caused by pollen allergies or perennial caused by e.g. house dust mite, pets. • infectious – e.g. the common cold • non-allergic, non-infectious – caused by irritants such as smoke, fumes, food additives In the case of allergic rhinitis, the specific allergen (the thing that you are allergic to) may be identified by skin prick tests. This involves placing a drop of the allergen on your skin and then scratching your skin through the drop. If you are allergic, your skin will become red and swollen at the site. Treatment of allergic rhinitis involves avoiding the allergen if possible, but if not possible then corticosteroid nasal sprays and antihistamines are the usual medications prescribed.

Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest and trouble breathing. Asthma occurs when the main breathing tubes of your lungs are over-sensitive and react to things that don’t affect other people. As a result of this they become swollen and narrow. If your asthma is not getting better with standard treatment (preventor and reliever inhalers) or you are having more asthma attacks than you or your doctor are comfortable with, you may be referred to a specialist. In most cases you'll be asked to give a complete medical history and will also be examined by the doctor. Sometimes other conditions can appear like asthma or complicate asthma, so you may be asked to have some tests to help in the diagnosis. Tests looking for severity and complicating features of asthma include: chest X-ray, spirometry and CT chest. For more details see below. You may, however, not need any of these tests. Treatment This includes taking medicines as well as changing some lifestyle factors. A peak flow meter can be used to keep a watch on your asthma and help with plans to prevent attacks. Stopping smoking is very important as is learning to recognise what brings an asthma attack on. Asthma is treated with inhaled medicines. There are two types: 1. a preventor medicine is taken every day. It soothes the irritated breathing tubes and prevents worsening of asthma, “asthma attacks”. 2. a reliever treats the asthma attacks. It relaxes the tightened muscles around the breathing tubes. For more information on asthma see www.asthmanz.co.nz

This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body. It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart. It is a disease for which there is no cure. It can be managed and usually controlled with medication. It affects different people differently and can have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms initially can include tiredness, muscle and joint pain and swelling, hair loss, rash, and fevers. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and examination findings as well as blood tests and urine tests. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz