Allergic rhinitis (often called hay fever) occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe—you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. Chronic sinusitis, which recurs or lasts longer than 12 weeks, can be caused by upper respiratory tract infection, allergies, deviated septum or other anatomical conditions, and fungi. Symptoms may include trouble breathing through the nose, headache, aching behind the eye area, tenderness in the cheeks, sinus congestion, nasal discharge, or post nasal drip. But you can control these symptoms with medicine and by avoiding the irritants that cause them. If allergies are left uncontrolled you may get complications such as sinus infections, plugged ears or ear infections, and sinusitis. Asthma is a long-lasting condition that results in difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and coughing. When allergens such as pollens, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold make your symptoms worse, it is known as allergic asthma.
If you are allergic to outdoor allergens, such as pollen and mold, you don’t have to give up an outdoor life. You just need to identify the irritant and learn when/how to take precautions. If your allergies flare up in the winter and spring, you are probably allergic to tree pollens. If summer is unbearable, you are probably allergic to grass and weed pollens. Late summer and fall problems coincide with ragweed or other weed pollens, such as tumbleweed and sage. Mold may cause allergies that get worse in damp weather.
There are several types of medications used to treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Medications are available in pill and liquid forms, nasal sprays, eyedrops and skin creams.
Corticosteroids help prevent and treat the inflammation associated with allergic conditions.
Antihistamines block histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
Leukotriene modifiers block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
Cromolyn sodium prevents the release of histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be helpful to some.
Breathe easier this allergy season using these solutions
1. Install a HEPA air filter to purify room air
2. Try flushing the nasal passages with a warm saline solution
3. leave shoes at the door to avoid trafficking pollen indoors and change clothes immediately upon entering the dwelling
4. Cover/wash hair at nights. This prevents allergen buildup on your pillow
5. Consider wood or solid surface flooring rather than wall to wall carpeting.
Watch “Dr. Donna, MedicineWoman” for Part 2: Addressing allergy symptoms without drowsiness and side effects. www.DrDonnaDouglas.com
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