Worst hay fever season is here
Font size:
By Rachel StocktonAllergy sufferers are experiencing one of the worst hay fever seasons in several years; that’s because the pollen count is through the roof in many areas of the country, Dr. Phillip Gallagher of Allergy and Asthma Associates of Northwestern Pennsylvania told NPR recently. While seasonal allergies are rarely serious, if untreated, they can lead to secondary infections, such as sinusitis and bronchitis.
Certainly, there is an abundant supply of over-the-counter medications available. Anti-histamines serve to “block” the histamine response the body has to pollen, mold, and other allergens. Decongestants, on the other hand, work by drying up nasal passages, resulting in easier breathing.
In some states, decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are no longer available without a prescription, due to the role they play in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Additionally, in many states where they are still available over-the-counter, they must be picked up directly from the pharmacist, who keeps a log of pseudoephedrine purchases (a picture ID is typically required).
Allergy prescriptions have vastly improved over the last few decades, especially when it comes to nasal sprays, which most primary care physicians are able to prescribe. Unlike nasal sprays in the past, these newer options contain a steroidal component which helps to reduce nasal swelling and stop the endless cycle of itchy, running sinus passages.
Seasonal allergy ads are very much in abundance; but many times, OTC and prescription medications are only effective in mild cases. In addition, they typically target only the symptoms: sneezing, itching and watery eyes, coughing, etc. For immediate relief, these meds are a good stop gap; however, the best way to treat allergy symptoms is through some sort of pre-emptive strike.
Mitigating the Damage
According to the NPR report, there are two ways to keep pollen at bay when you go outside. One is to wear a mask; pollen particles are typically fairly large, so lightweight masks that cover the mouth and nose can keep the vast majority of particles out of your airways.
If you suffer from allergies but still want some color in your yard, make sure you choose flowering trees and shrubs. This may, at first, seem counterintuitive; but according to Dr. Gallagher, flowering trees are more highly “evolved” in that they don’t rely on the wind for cross- pollination.
Even if pollen is the main source of your allergy problems, it’s a good idea, especially when the pollen is high, to try and reduce the amount of allergens floating around your home. According to Dr. Corwin Petty of Champions Family Medical Clinic in Arkansas, it’s a good idea to regularly vacuum carpets and furniture regularly, and replace air conditioning filters at least every 6 weeks. To keep mold and dust mites from settling into pillows, plastic pillowcases can be purchased at your local bath and linen shop.
Photo credit: CDC
Add to:
del.icio.us |
Digg
del.icio.us |
Digg
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain text
Home
Set as homepage
Add to favorites
Mobile site
Rss
Plain text
Archive
Let us not lose Sight of the > Millions of Allergy Sufferers who suffer from their Allergies / Allergic Asthma > Here & NOW !
And are desperately seeking a Solution which will finally take them off of the compromising Health & Quality of Life Slippery Slope caused by their Allergies !
Allergy Disease is more than ACHOO !
Many Allergy Sufferers go thru Life Consuming Allergy Med's /> UnAware that they are only Masking Symptoms > Leaving the Progression of their Allergy Disease InTact > To Continue / Exacerbate Unabated ...to quite possibly Allergic Asthma.
Further, many Allergy Sufferers are unaware that a visit to their Primary Care Dr. for a Geo-Regional Allergy Blood Test will Identify their Seasonal & Year-round Offending Allergens...
Which can then be Neutralized by Self Administered Immuno-Allergy DROPs which are Custom Formulated specifically to YOUR Test ID'ed Offending Allergens.
As with traditional Allergy SHOTs /> Your DROPs neutralize the Source of Your allergy disease / ReCaliberate Your Immune System > Producing Lasting Health & Quality of Life that comes with being Allergy Free.
As an added note, Allergy Parents of Allergy Children….
While there is No Cure for Allergic Asthma /> The Progression of INFANT / Child Allergy MARCH to Allergic Asthma Can be Challenged / DeRailed via Early Recognition / Allergy Blood Testing and Immuno-Allergy Neutralization ..
But the Window of Anti-Allergy ACTION is short .. with Asthma typically entrenched as early as Age 4-7.
While others discuss the various Causes of Allergy i.e. Climate Change ...
Allergies are very much the Here & NOW for Many ...
And they are desperately seeking Here & Now Solutions ...
Allergy ImmunoTherapy DROPs are the Only viable Therapy Option which neutralizes the Source of your Disease.
PS Traditional Allergy SHOTs ..
while Effective .. Because of their UnFriendly Ouch & Frequent Dr. Office Visits = Poor Patient compliance ( typically 40% ) = Achoo ...
Allergy DROPs = Kid Friendly ..Which translates to enhanced Clinical Allergy Disease Neutralization Effectiveness.
Best Health = Wealth Regards,
Stephen
DropYourAllergies.com
Post your comment