Rhinitis

Roundabout this time each year I “enjoy” one of the types of rhinitis. My suffering is caused by the type commonly known as ‘hay fever.’ Where I live, (Melbourne, Australia) is a hotspot for hay fever symptoms between October and March every year.

Google AI has this to say about rhinitis: “Rhinitis is the irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose, causing symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and post-nasal drip.

Types of Rhinitis

• Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): Caused by an immune system reaction to airborne allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, mold spores, or animal dander.

• Nonallergic Rhinitis: Caused by irritants, weather changes, spicy foods, hormones, or blood pressure medications without an allergic immune response.

• Infectious Rhinitis: Caused by viral or bacterial infections, such as the common cold.”

In a way I am grateful that I don’t suffer the other two types. I can, and do take steps, to mitigate the problems. It’s not life threatening but it is certainly quality of life reducing.

When I reflect on this and all the other illnesses and consequences of our mortality I try to think always of what God has offered us all. Perfection. No illness, sorrow or any other pain. No death. Here’s just one verse from God’s Bible which sums it up for me: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

Details are in God’s Bible, freely available for any of us to read and act on.